Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition awarded over $150k in two grants

Shippensburg University is pleased to announce two grants supporting the Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition (SCRC). SCRC is a community-university partnership based in Ship’s Social Work and Gerontology Department that provides services to the community and learning experiences for Ship students.

“The SCRC is unique, as the only community-university social service agency in the PASSHE system where community members can access services and students gain learning experiences. These grants provide critical support to meet the SCRC mission to provide quality social services and youth programs that are accessible and safe and that recognize the dignity and worth of each person,” said Liz Fisher, SCRC chair and professor of social work.

The first grant, totaling $103,839, was awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and will aid SCRC to continue its work in establishing a Communities that Care (CTC) site in Shippensburg. CTC uses a coalition, evidence-based model to prevent problem behaviors among youth and increase protective factors.

“We're bringing together people from across the community who care about youth in the Shippensburg area with goals of increasing positive outcomes for children and building healthier futures for families," said Laura Masgalas, community youth mobilizer.

The second grant, awarded by the Partnership for Better Health, via the Shippensburg University Foundation, provides $64,200 to support the Healthy Shippensburg project. Healthy Shippensburg is another coalition-based project that focuses on social determinants of health and building a healthier community.

“By bringing together people from all walks of life and agencies, we hope to bridge divides and break down barriers increasing community member's well-being, helping them to reach their highest potential,” said Sonja Payne, SCRC community health mobilizer.

The two grants not only provide important services for the greater Shippensburg community, but provide significant opportunities for university students preparing for careers as social workers. The grants fund the community youth mobilizer and community health mobilizer, both supported by SU interns and SU service learning volunteers.

A well-established resource in the community, SCRC operates several programs including youth food security programs (Summer Lunch Program and Hound Packs), middle and high school clubs and groups, and conducts ongoing research to assess community needs and evaluate programs and services.