The Multi-Cultural Center's mission is to facilitate the educational, social, political and economic progress of the communities we serve. They break down cultural barriers due to language, appearance, or ethnic traditions. They actively promote and advocate the development, empowerment and advancement of all people while preserving their cultural identity. They work to educate the community to value diversity.

In addition, the Multi-Cultural Community Resource Center (MCRC) and Saint Vincent Health Center recently entered into a community partnership to provide Spanish-speaking patients, who receive medical care, with interpretation services. "We are delighted with this partnership as this is part of our mission," said Joel Tuzynski, the MCRC Executive Director.

To provide this service, Monica Weivoda was hired full-time at Saint Vincent as a contracted employee of MCRC's Accurate Communication Translation and Interpretation Services. She is available weekdays from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. in the Health Center. "We are also carrying an after hours pager that guarantees that MCRC would have a Spanish interpreter available during evenings, weekends, and holidays," Tuzynski added.

Ms. Weivoda provides Spanish interpretation onsite, and assists with coordinating language services for all limited English speaking patients. As part of her responsibilities, she reviews inpatient lists, assures that all non-English speaking clients have accessibility to an interpreter or a centralized telephonic system and she translates hospital forms into Spanish.

“With twenty-one countries around the world speaking Spanish, we see an increasing number of arrivals from Central and South America joining our Puerto Rican and Mexican citizens in Erie,” according to Tuzynski. "MCRC is very pleased with this new partnership and we look forward to helping other business in the Erie area interested in improving communication with the English as a second language community.”

On Friday, August 13th, we will host A Day for You at the Zoo when we welcome children from community centers to spend a day at the Zoo. If you are interested in greeting the children with us, please email Erin Fessler for details. This special day is most rewarding because we have the chance to meet children, who normally would not have the opportunity to enjoy our Zoo.

Shaping tomorrow grants are proactive and strategic. Shaping tomorrow grants address big picture items and systemic community issues. Shaping tomorrow works on the antecedents to poverty including: healthcare, workforce development and early childhood education. “To do this work, we created Community Advisory Panels with field experts,” said Shiloh Turner, vice president of Programs. “Each panel member knows the issues and knows the resources to solve community problems.”

At today's press conference, hosted by Erie Dawn, The Erie Community Foundation announced the distribution of over $2 Million in grants, which will benefit the community as follows:

Human Services “Helping today grants”

1. ANNA Shelter – Cage Recovery System for Animals -$2,000
2. Community of Caring – Civility Training for Ex-Offenders – $10,000
3. Erie City Mission – Bedding Equipment and Supplies – $15,000
4. ErieDawn – Residential Furnishings and Appliances – $30,000
5. Family Services of NWPA – Electronic Health Record – $18,965
6. Gateway Rehabilitation Center-Erie: Offender re-entry program, $12,000
7. Harborcreek Youth Services–Multi-Agency Evidence based training- $10,000
8. Mercy Center for Women – Building Renovations for Expansion – $6,000

Community Development “Helping today grants”

1. Better Housing of Erie – Public Housing Community Garden – $2,612
2. Erie Downtown Partnership – Downtown Graffiti Removal – $9,500
3. Erie Homes for Children and Adults: Vocational Training Certification – $7,500
4. Habitat for Humanity – Land Survey Project – $12,000
5. Perry Square Alliance – Perry Square Underground Sprinklers – $12,200
6. Safe Horizons – Renovation and Refurbish – $18,347
7. Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network: Little Italy Emergency Repair Fund: $5,000
8. Trinity Square Foundation – Inner City Poetry Park – $15,000
9. Wattsburg Agricultural Society – Erie County Fair Building Repair – $10,000
10. West Springfield United Methodist Church – West County Wheelchair ramps – $5,000
11. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy – East Erie Community Garden – $3,342

Donor Directed & Agency Grants: -- “Helping today grants”

1. Donor Directed Grants—127 grants totaling $364,409
2. Agency Endowments – 41 grants totaling $576,095

Strategic & Collaborative “Shaping tomorrow grants”

1. Hamot Health Foundation – Patient Care Assistance Apprenticeship Program -$90,315
2. Hamot Health Foundation: Hamot-Wayne Community School-Based Health Center: $35,000
3. Community Health Net – Girard School District School-Based Health Center - $35,000
4. Community Health Net :Union City School District School-Based Health Center - $35,000
5. The Nonprofit Partnership – $240,000
6. Erie Free Taxes – $189,000

1. h2. ReTool Erie Grants “Shaping tomorrow grants”

1. HERO, Inc. - Capacity Building - $34,840
2. My Father's House of Erie - Capacity Building -$25,600
3. SafeNet - Capacity Building -$24,950
4. Opportunities Unlimited - Capacity Building - $24,886
5. Erie County CASA – Capacity Building - $24,843
6. Corry Higher Education Council – Capacity Building - $24,780
7. Erie DAWN – Capacity Building - $23,490
8. St. Martin's Center Culinary Lab, Inc. – Capacity Building - $22,445
9. Erie Homes for Children and Adults – Capacity Building - $20,956
10. Erie Tenant Council – Capacity Building - $12,970
11. Technology Council of NWPA – Capacity Building - $11,500

Mark your calendar for the following summer events, which have been supported by grants from your Erie Community Foundation:

• The Sunset Music Series just wrapped up, but Discover Presque Isle takes place July 23, 24 and 25.
• "Tuesdays with Morrie" at the Erie Playhouse, July 21st through July 25th
• Key West Express at Eight Great Tuesdays -- July 13th
• Jake's Blues at Eight Great Tuesdays -- July 20th
• Abby Road at Eight Great Tuesdays -- July 27th
• Get Your Phil at Noon with the Erie Phil at the Warner Theater -- July 28th
• "Mime Time" & "Jungle Book" at the Schuster Theater -- July 30th
• Katie Armiger at Eight Great Tuesdays -- August 3rd
• Day Rice Days in Girard – August 5th to 8th
• "Rent" at the Erie Playhouse -- August 5th to 28th
• Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival – August 7th & 8th
• The Red Elvies at Eight Great Tuesdays -- August 10th
• Ray Jay & The Carousles Full Kilt at Eight Great Tuesdays -- August 17th
• Celebrate Erie 2010 – August 19th to 22nd
• Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band -- August 24th
• Get Your Phil at Noon with the Erie Phil at the Warner Theater -- August 25th
• Erie Heritage Festival 2010 – September 11th

If you have a nonprofit Erie event that you would like us to post, please email Erin Fessler. We have a great city and a great community for all to enjoy!

“Only 21% of the charities we rate have received at least two consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that The Erie Community Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other nonprofits in America,” said Ken Berger, president and chief executive officer, Charity Navigator. “In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, we highlight the fine work of efficient nonprofits such as The Erie Community Foundation, and we provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.” This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates The Erie Community Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.

“As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the nonprofits they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars,” said Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation. “We do our best every day, and we are honored to receive this recognition.”

The mission of The Erie Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, by promoting responsible philanthropy and by connecting donors to the critical needs of the community.

“Over the years, we have watched our scholarship program grow because donors are able to accomplish three things: meet their philanthropic goals, by establishing a scholarship in memory or honor of a loved one, which helps the next generation of students attain higher education,” said Michael Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation.

As of today, 52 different scholarship funds are housed within The Erie Community Foundation, 20 within the Corry Community Foundation and 2 at the North East Community Foundation as well as 2 with the Union City Community Foundation, for a total of 76 scholarships. All can be viewed by visiting The Erie Community Foundation's website.

Each scholarship is distinct and recipients are selected in accordance with criteria established by the donor. “Some scholarships are tailored for students pursuing engineering, music, education, pre-med or law, and other scholarships are more open,” Batchelor added.

At the scholarship event, The Foundation recognizes and thanks the donors who have an opportunity to meet scholarship recipients and their parents. “The scholarship event is a highlight of our year,” Batchelor added. “Each year, we see proud parents accompany their children to our scholarship event; we hope that someday these students will grow into young adults who want to establish a scholarship for others.”

Four years ago, The Erie Community Foundation recognized a need in the community at the grassroots level. Many smaller groups, such as neighborhood watch groups, could benefit from small amounts of funding for their specific projects. As a result, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant was started. Groups are eligible for mini-grants up to $500, and groups can submit more than one grant application.

The response from the community has been very well received. In fact, 2010 marks the fourth year that The Erie Community Foundation has presented these grants. Any neighborhood group in Erie County is eligible. This is the second year of partnering with Stef Chatman and the first year of partnering with the Erie Neighborhood Watch Council.
Applications for the Neighborhood Mini-Grants were accepted for requests for projects such as: community building, recreation, and neighborhood restoration.

Below is the list of the 2010 grant recipients:

1. $500 Bayfront NATO Inc / Martin Luther King Center
2. $1,000 Sisters of St. Joseph: Beautification & Sign Replacement
3. $500 Wesleyville Borough Neighborhood Watch
4. $1,000 Sisters of Mercy: Basic Carpentry`& painting skills
5. $500 Wood Hood NW: Block Party & Newsletter
6. $500 Lincoln Elementary School: Jump start your school year
7. $1,000 Bayfront East Side Taskforce Movies Under the Stars & Ongoing neighborhood beautification
8. $1,500 Bethesda Trinity Center: Horticulture, Waldameer, End of Summer Celebration
9. $1,000 Bethany Multicultural: “Do It Yourself Legal Clinics” & Parenting Classes
10. $500 Booker T Washington Center /Healthy Youth Development: Igniting the Spark
11. $500 SafeNet: Discover our City Teen Scavenger Hunt
12. $500 Multicultural Community Resource Center: Neighborhood Gardens
13. $500 Snoops #13 Neighborhood Watch Group: Park Beautification
14. $1,000 Land Lighthouse Neighborhood Watch: Wild Wednesdays & Emergency Preparedness
15. $500 Garden Court Neighborhood Watch: Erie Alerts Twitter
16. $500 Buffalo Road Neighborhood Watch: Safety Lighting
17. $500 Corry Fest ’09: Corry Community Development Corp.
18. $500 Neighborhood Watch Council: Street Signs
19. $1,500 South East Hills Neighborhood Watch: Farmers Market, National Night Out & Sustainability for the Future
20. $500 Youth for Christ: Wheelchair ramps
21. $500 Central City Neighborhood Alliance: Beautification
22. $500 Elk Creek Recreation & Leisure Board/Girard Borough: Adult Swim
23. $500 Burton School: Summer Basketball program
24. $500 Glenwood Watch Group
25. $1,500 Union City Pride: Lawn Chairs, Art Show, Neighborhood Beautification

The Health & Environment category encompasses requests from nonprofits working to promote improved health outcomes.

Services funded may include:

• Health centers serving patients who are uninsured, under-insured or receive Medical Assistance
• Services improving child and maternal health outcomes
• Agencies promoting healthy lifestyles, nutrition and improved fitness among children and youth
• Organizations handling end-of-life and palliative care
• Home health care organizations
• Environment requests from organizations working toward improved land-use planning, preservation and protection of the natural environment, resources and wildlife, and energy efficiency

The grant application deadline is July 16, 2010. Grants are announced by October 4, 2010.

If you have questions, please e-mail David González, program officer or call (814) 454-0843.

The US Census Bureau reports that our per capita income was 20% below the national average in 2000. It was 21.4% below in 2008.

Erie County falls behind in the education attainment rates compared to Pennsylvania and the Nation. The number of Erie County residents 25 or older, with a bachelor degree or higher is only 23.1% compared to the 27.4% in the United States.

Our young people continue to leave. Our median age was 36.2 in 2000 and 38.2 in 2008. Based on feddback from the nonprofit sector, the 2010 census will likely show these trends continued and accelerated.

"The statistics underscore the reality that Erie County needs a community college," said Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation. "It is in the best interest of our county to try and reverse the trends that have led us to become less educated and poorer than Pennsylvania and the United States."

The community college has met some opposition, especially within the County Council, but on June 15th the council passed the resolution, 5-1 to make the county government the state-required sponsor for the community college. This approval was needed because Erie is a Third Class city, not a first class city and state law requires sponsorship from one of three sources; a First Class city, school districts or the county.

State Senator Jane Earll has also been a strong supporter of the community college and has been able to pass state legislation to use money from table games revenue from the Presque Isle Downs & Casino to fund the community college.

Business leader and chief executive of GE Transportation, the largest employer in our area, Lorenzo Simonelli, is also an advocate of the proposed community college. He strongly urged County Council to vote in favor of the resolution.

On June 7th, The Erie Community Foundation established a $1 million fund for capital and operating costs for the college. Other financial support has come from Scott Enterprise, PHB/Reddog Industries and Custom Engineering Co. Collectively they have pledged $30,000 to the fund.

Now that the plan has been approved, the decision is not final. The college’s overall operating plan and the state application still need to be approved. "The community college is a vital step in the right direction to secure the future of Erie today and for generations to come," Batchelor said.

The vote was met with loud appraisal from more than 100 people that crammed into the Millcreek Township Municipal building Tuesday night. "I was there," said Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation. "You could feel the energy in the room and the desire to move forward."

County Councilman Joseph Giles proposed seven amendments, which earned the support of two members who were previously leaning towards voting against the resolution. County Councilwoman, Carol Loll signed off after Council agreed to accept the amendments introduced by Giles. One of the key stipulations; that no county tax dollars would be used to provide state-required revenue match for the college, was the driving force in swaying Loll and Giles to vote ‘yes’.

County Councilman Barry Grossman was slightly troubled by the idea that tax dollars wouldn’t be used. He is worried that this amendment won’t go over well with the state.

The only abstaining vote was from County Councilman Kyle Foust. Employed by Mercyhurst College, he doesn’t want the college to have competition.

Councilman Ebert Beeman was the only vote against the resolution for fears of a financial disaster that might ensue.

However, looking to the benefits the community college would offer to the Erie area and the considerable financial support that has emerged, the operating costs would be distributed evenly without weighing on tax payers as opponents fear.