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WILKES-BARRE — The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has announced the availability of up to $650,000 in competitive grants from the Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF).
“We’re building and expanding partnerships with charitable organizations, veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs through the Veterans’ Trust Fund,” said Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general. “The grants that we are awarding will ensure that the organizations who serve our veterans will be able to continue their good work and Pennsylvania’s veterans and their families will soon be the fortunate beneficiaries.”
Grants will be considered in the following areas:
• Up to $500,000 in competitive grants to 501(c)(19) veterans service organizations and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans, focusing on four areas of emphasis: homelessness, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), behavioral health initiatives unique veteran health services and other programs or services that address newly identified, unmet or emerging needs of veterans and their families.
• Up to $150,000 in competitive grants to County Directors of Veterans Affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans’ Affairs, focusing on three areas of emphasis: veteran outreach initiatives, veterans’ court initiatives and other programs or services that address newly identified, unmet or emerging needs of veterans and their families.
Since the VTF was established in 2012, more than $1.4 million has been awarded in competitive grants.
“The Veterans’ Trust Fund has grown considerably due to the generous Pennsylvanians who have voluntarily made a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or photo ID and renewing a motor vehicle registration, as well as proceeds from the sale of the Honoring our Veterans license plates for cars and motorcycles,” Carrelli added.
Grant information can be found at www.vtf.pa.gov. Grant applications must be received at DMVA by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Nov. 18. Late submissions will be administratively rejected without review.
DMVA is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Tax-deductible donations to the VTF can be sent to: Veterans’ Trust Fund, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.
To learn more about the VTF, visit www.vtf.pa.gov or follow DMVA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/padmva.
Barletta honors Brandon’s Forever
Home in DC award presentation
U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, recently honored Brandon’s Forever Home, the non-profit organization in Hazleton focused on raising awareness of adoption and foster care and placing children with permanent families, with the formal presentation of the Angels in Adoption award.
Brandon’s Forever Home was founded in 2014 by state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, and local attorney Lori Ogurkis, who each has personal experiences with adoption and foster children.
Both Toohil and Ogurkis came to their commitment to the welfare of children through experiences in their own personal lives.
Toohil’s parents lovingly fostered more than 40 children through the years, including Brandon, a young man whose tragic death inspired the lifelong dedication that has resulted in Brandon’s Forever Home.
Ogurkis, the mother of three biological children, met her youngest son, Michael, through adoption. She also has provided a home to young Brittany, who had aged out of the foster system. The first location of Brandon’s Forever Home was actually in the Ogurkis residence.
Barletta had nominated the group for the honor awarded each year by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
The Angels of Adoption award, given to individuals or organizations nationwide, is considered prestigious in the world of adoption and foster care. Since 1999, nearly 2,000 have been named, including Muhammad Ali, former First Lady Laura Bush, Patti LaBelle, Al Roker, the Hallmark Channel and People Magazine.
“At home in Hazleton, we’re all familiar with the great work Rep. Toohil and Lori Ogurkis have been doing at Brandon’s Forever Home, so it is truly gratifying to see them to receive national recognition,” Barletta said in an emailed release. “For too many children, the dream of a loving, permanent family can seem so far out of reach. But thanks to Brandon’s Forever Home, that dream is becoming reality for more and more young people.”
Brandon’s Forever Home, located at 187 N. Church St. in Hazleton, assists with adoptions and children in the foster care system, and urges individuals to become foster parents. The non-profit organization is a place for those aging out of the foster care system to find help, learn life skills, and connect with others.
For more information, visit the website www.BrandonsForeverHome.com.
GO-TIME: Department of Aging improves
access services at senior community centers
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is entering its third season of an initiative called MindMatters: a series of stimulating lectures presented by academics and experts on subjects ranging from history and current events to politics and culture to gardening and healthy living.
With a savings of more than $75,000 annually, MindMatters offers professional programming at no cost to senior community centers across the commonwealth. MindMatters is designed to be viewed in a group setting and encourages senior center attendance, social interaction and stimulating discussions between center participants and presenters.
“Studies have shown that when given the opportunity to participate in life-long learning or self-management programs in a senior community center, older adults are given the tools needed to better manage their life,” said Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne. “By providing enrichment in a social, community setting, improvements in overall mental, physical, social, spiritual, emotional and economic well-being can be measured.”
Prior to MindMatters, senior community centers would pay for individuals to travel and present on various topics in person. The cost and logistics of delivering this type of programming made it difficult or sometimes impossible for centers to provide it for their participants. Now, senior centers can choose from over 30 lectures on topics of interest that appeal to their participants.
Some of the MindMatters topics include:
• Betsy Ross: The Making of the Myth
• Exercise is Medicine
• Famous Pennsylvania Politicians of the 20th Century
• Food Glorious Food: Satisfaction Without Guilt
• Gardening and Planting
• Optical Illusions: A Look at How the Human Eye Works
• Quilts: Crafting an American Icon
“Providing on-demand access to this resource expands the opportunity for senior centers to participate and enables older Pennsylvanians throughout the commonwealth to be engaged, physically, mentally, and emotionally in their community,” said Secretary Osborne.
To learn more about GO-TIME, visit https://www.governor.pa.gov/go-time/.
