Operation Our Town has announced grant awards to 11 local drug prevention and treatment projects aimed at reducing illegal drug use and related crime in Blair County. Over $78,000 will be distributed to the recipients for the second grant cycle of 2011.

Operation Our Town awards grants twice a year to support proven prevention and treatment programs. Grants are also awarded annually for targeted law enforcement and prosecution to fight illegal drugs and crime in Blair County. In 2011, Operation Our Town awarded over $371,000 in grants for law enforcement efforts and proven treatment and prevention programs.

Operation Our Town will begin accepting applications on May 14 for its only grant cycle of 2012, with a June 29 deadline for applications. Up to $80,000 will be available during this grant cycle for proven prevention and treatment programs. All nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies are eligible to apply. Grant applications may be downloaded from OperationOurTown.org.

Operation Our Town will be providing another grant training and will be open to all nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies. Further details will be announced at a later date.

The Operation Our Town Grant Committee includes five members: Donna Gority, Retired Blair County Commissioner; Robin Beck, Director of United Way of Blair County; Judy Rosser, Executive Director of Blair County Drug & Alcohol Program, Inc.; Jolene Kopriva, president judge, Blair County Court of Common Pleas; Michele Fiore, mental health counselor; and Cathy Stapelfeld.

OPERATION OUR TOWN FALL 2011 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Altoona Area Christian Coalition: Hope for the Future - Youth Day
PO Box 1389, Altoona 942-6648
Will occur on Saturday, April 28th from 9:30am-2:30pm at Bishop Guilfoyle High School for students in grades 6-9 living in Altoona and will feature activities focused on diversity and bullying.

Altoona Area School District: Project SOAR (Study, Overcome, Achieve, Reward)
1415 6th Avenue, Altoona 946-8424
Pilot project in its 3rd full year of operation, which has retained 19 of the 20 original students who will receive financial assistance to pursue a post secondary education, given that they meet program guidelines and participate fully in the program.

Central Blair County Recreation & Park Commission: Summer Rocks Playground Program
2101 5th Avenue, Altoona 949-2231
Eight week summer program offered at Leopold Park, Valley View Park, and Evergreen Manors for children ages 6-12 that will include various games & activities, arts & crafts, and field trips.

Child Advocates of Blair County: Blair County Head Start
319 Sycamore Street, Altoona 946-5247 x 158
Will support the comprehensive services provided by Blair County Head Start program, which serves 462 children and their families in fifteen centers across Blair County.

Claysburg-Kimmel Cares: Strengthening Families 10-14
PO Box 236, Claysburg 239-5900
Evidence-based program that consists of seven interactive, video-based sessions conducted over consecutive weeks to 8-10 families to help reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in Blair County.

Family Resource Center: Parents as Teachers/Infant Parenting Group
5414 6th Avenue, Altoona 941-7711
Will support the Parents as Teachers Program, which is an evidence-based best practice in-home visitation program and the Infant Parenting Group, which are monthly support group and educational meetings for parents and children at-risk.

Garver Memorial YMCA: YMCA Afterschool Program
820 Grove Street, Roaring Spring 224-5101
Nine month program for children in kindergarten through age 13 in the Spring Cove School District that covers school homework help, physical & recreational activities, leadership skills, character development, and having fun through social play.

Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation: After School Program
PO Box 89, Altoona 949-8838
After-school and summer programs provided for children ages 5 through 12 in a daily structured setting held within the housing developments of Evergreen Manors, Fairview Hills, and Logan Hills.

Joshua House, Inc.: Joshua House Community Center
123 W. 10th Street, Tyrone 684-2032
A faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to build community in kids, teens, and young adults through athletics, education, and faith and provides after-school activities and mentoring opportunities for youth in Northern Blair County, specifically Tyrone.

The Beacon of Blair County Foundation CPCF: The Beacon
623 N. 11th Street, Bellwood 742-2159
A faith-based community outreach organization providing young people ages 12-20 a safe environment with structured activities, where positive adult role models can build relationships with them.

The ROCK (Reaching Out to Community Kids): After School Program
130 2nd Avenue, Altoona 943-2072
After-school program for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade held at the 2nd Avenue United Methodist Church, which includes a recreational period, classroom lesson time, creative development period, and a hot, nutritious home-cooked meal.