News & Updates

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March 2021

Catawba Connect Round One Grantee Report

The Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund was created on March 20, 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic through a partnership between the Arras Foundation, the United Way of Chester County, and the United Way of Lancaster County. The Fund is designed to complement the ongoing work of public entities and to expand the capacity in Chester and Lancaster counties to address emerging needs as we respond to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In June 2020, the first round of Catawba Connect funds were distributed to the community.

Click below to read the full report.

Round 1 Grantee Report

To download as a PDF, please click here.

August 13, 2020

Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund grants $50,000 to 10 local organizations

Latest round of grants awarded to nonprofit organizations serving critical COVID 19 related needs for residents of Chester and Lancaster Counties

Lancaster – Catawba Connect has awarded $50,000 from the Catawba Connect COVID-19 Relief Fund to 10 local organizations who are providing public health education and direct assistance to members of the community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Even as COVID-19 remains a challenge, we continue to be inspired by the generosity and commitment of this region to assist with ongoing needs of organizations and individuals so they may survive and get through this moment,” said Kristin Fairfax, Executive Director of United Way of Chester County.

Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund is designed to complement the ongoing work of public entities and to expand the capacity in Chester & Lancaster counties to address emerging needs due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Since launching in late March, the Fund has raised over $152,000 for relief funding in Chester & Lancaster Counties. Donations and pledges have come from 110 individuals, corporations, churches, and other organizations.

“Working together with over 40 active community volunteers, we’ve heard the tremendous needs surrounding things like mental health services, family support, and basic needs assistance. These are just a few examples of the immediate impact this effort has been able to make so far with grants awarded,” said Steve Sherrill, co-chair of Catawba Connect. “The collaboration of all parties involved from the Arras Foundation, United Way of Chester County, United Way of Lancaster County and the 40+ community volunteers has been incredible. Partnership is the most powerful tool in helping our community in a time of need. Working together is essential to overcoming the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and I am confident that the work we’ve been able to do as a group will continue to help our community recover.”

The latest round of grants includes:

• $5,000 to Battered But Not Broken for family and personal safety, social service resources, unemployment resources, and mental health support
• $2,500 to Communities in Schools (CIS) - YouthBuild YouthBuild for distribution and use of personal protective supplies and food assistance
• $4,000 to to Giving In a Needy Time (GIANT) for distribution of personal protective supplies and education on healthy behaviors
• $8,000 to Golden Care to assist in providing safe environment with personal protective supplies
• $2,500 to Horse N Around to assist in providing a safe environment with personal protective supplies
• $2,500 to Lancaster County Community Center to provide a safe environment to access resources
• $9,750 to MUSC - Chester for distribution and use of personal protective supplies, and COVID-19 testing resources
• $9,750 to MUSC - Lancaster Medical Center for distribution and use of personal protective supplies, and COVID-19 testing resources
• $5,000 to NAMI Piedmont Tri-County for mental health support
• $1,000 to Revitalizing UR Neighborhood for distribution of personal protective supplies and education on healthy behaviors

Established by the United Way of Chester County, United Way of Lancaster County, and the Arras Foundation (formerly J. Marion Sims Foundation), the Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund launched on March 20 and will continue raising funds through the summer. Grants are awarded by an advisory group of over 40 local leaders. For details regarding grantmaking and how to apply, please visit www.CatawbaConnect.org.

“This second round of grantmaking proves that even during the toughest time we’ve seen in decades, we still rise to meet the needs expressed by our fellow residents and organizations trying to do good for others,” said Susan DeVenny, President & CEO of the Arras Foundation. “This effort sets the stage for what we are capable of doing, even in the toughest moments, and while we do not yet know when this pandemic will end, we are confident in the generosity and spirit of our community to care for all people.”

To give to the fund and learn more about the Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund, please visit www.CatawbaConnect.org. Corporations and foundations that would like to make a donation may contact Susan DeVenny, President & CEO, Arras Foundation, at sdevenny@arrasfoundation.org or Amber Jackson, Executive Director at United Way of Lancaster County, at exec.director@uwaylcsc.org.

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To download as a PDF, please click here.

June 25, 2020

Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund grants $100,000 to 14 local organizations

Grants awarded to nonprofit organizations serving critical COVID 19 related needs for residents of Chester and Lancaster Counties

Lancaster – Catawba Connect has awarded $100,000 from the Catawba Connect COVID-19 Relief Fund to 14 local organizations who are providing public health education direct assistance to members of the community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

“As residents, it is critical that we all do what we can to support our neighbors struggling with resources like food, shelter, healthcare, and utilities during this difficult time,” said Ashley Shannon, co-chair of Catawba Connect. “These grants will allow organizations to make an immediate impact, and we are grateful to all community partners who have made this possible.”

Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund is designed to complement the ongoing work of public entities and to expand the capacity in Chester & Lancaster counties to address emerging needs due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Since launching in late March, the Fund has raised over $117,000 for relief funding in Chester & Lancaster Counties. Donations and pledges have come from over 100 individuals, corporations, churches, and other organizations.

“I am very excited to see funds being dispersed from Catawba Connect and more importantly, the positive impact this will have on our local communities,” said Steve Sherrill, co-chair of Catawba Connect. “The collaboration of all parties involved from the [Arras Foundation], United Way of Chester County, United Way of Lancaster County and the 40+ community volunteers has been tremendous. This grantmaking effort has been thoughtful, inclusive, and collaborative to create a meaningful and lasting impact on our communities during this time of need.”

The latest round of grants includes:

• $3,000 to Christian Services for food distribution
• $10,000 to GRASP for food, utility, and/or prescription assistance
• $10,000 to HOPE in Lancaster for food distribution and financial resource counseling
• $10,000 to KARE for food distribution and financial resource counseling
• $10,000 to Lancaster County Council on Aging for food distribution
• $5,000 to Lancaster County Partners for Youth for food distribution
• $10,000 to Upper Midlands Rural Health Network for education on healthy behaviors
• $2,000 to Unique Hair Design for education on safe practices for hair salons/barbers
• $7,500 to Counseling Services of Lancaster for mental health support
• $7,500 to Children’s Attention Home to assist in providing safe environment and mental health support
• $5,000 to Keystone for mental health support
• $7,500 to Hazel Pittman Center for mental health support
• $7,500 to Turning Point of Chester for food distribution
• $5,000 to Good Samaritan Medical Clinic for distribution and use of personal protective supplies

Established by the United Way of Chester County, United Way of Lancaster County, and the Arras Foundation (formerly the J. Marion Sims Foundation), the Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund launched on March 20 and will continue raising funds through the summer. Grants are awarded by an advisory group of over 40 local leaders. For details regarding grantmaking and how to apply, please visit www.CatawbaConnect.org.

“Our community has a history of coming together during times of crisis,” said Susan DeVenny, President & CEO of the Arras Foundation. “I am proud to see over 40 volunteers working together to help Chester and Lancaster stay strong through the pandemic.”

To give to the fund and learn more about the Catawba Connect: COVID-19 Relief Fund, please visit www.CatawbaConnect.org. Corporations and foundations that would like to make a donation may contact Susan DeVenny, President & CEO, Arras Foundation, at sdevenny@arrasfoundation.org or Amber Jackson, Executive Director at United Way of Lancaster County, at exec.director@uwaylcsc.org.

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