Breonna Dull
Features Editor
100 years ago, Lancaster County was thinking about the future and made choices that allowed us to have the resources and programs we benefit from today. The same forward-thinking approach is needed now as we consider how to invest in the next 100 years.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) held an event centered around empowering the next generation. This year, for the foundation’s 100th anniversary, they are dedicating one million in grants to groups and people for their meaningful contributions to Lancaster County. This one million is in addition to their usual grant spending and their annual Extra Give event, now in its 13th year.
There are four categories of the Shaping Tomorrow awards: Creative Arts, Well-being and Vibrancy, Next Generation, and Protecting Our Planet. The foundation, grant applicants, and community members celebrated the award winners from the third category: Elevating the Next Generation. LCCF is dedicated to empowering young people, specifically middle school through college, who are seen as the future of Lancaster County.
Food trucks such as Halo’s Eatery, Bala Saahas, and Homage: Cuisines of West African Diaspora lined the promenade. Also, a gaming truck offered entertainment .
The night opened and closed with a performance by The Unstoppables drill team and band from the Crispus Attucks Community Center. Additionally, guests participated in a session on food sustainability, learning about ways to foster more sustainable practices in the community. Tyresha Vaughan-Blanding captivated the audience with her poetry, delivering messages of youth empowerment and resilience.
One of the award winners, the Touchstone Foundation, is dedicated to improving youth mental well-being across Lancaster County. They are focused on two key areas: inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in mental health to meet growing demand and providing current students with safe, affordable, and healthy spaces where they can receive support.
The foundation’s Rise Above Program helps high school students better understand their own mental health while equipping them to be advocates for their peers and families. The program fosters open and vulnerable discussions and allows creative self-expression to help process emotions. The program will train mentors in mental health first aid and how to be a safe trusted adult. They also partner with the Racial Equity Institute of the YWCA which focuses on belonging and identity.
“We’re creating a safe space for these young people to have difficult conversations,” said Anna Kennedy, the Executive Director of the Touchstone Foundation. “They want to be equipped to support each other, and we know that they are the best advocates for themselves.”
After two successful years of development, the Touchstone Foundation will use the LCCF grant to create a toolkit and curriculum for Rise Above, allowing students to bring the program to their own high school or continue it after graduation. The program is designed for youth ages 12-26, offering them long-term support and resources. With the grant money, Touchstones is able to develop a curriculum and train mentors for the Rise Above program. The program connects students with a mental health professional in an open and vulnerable group discussion. Afterward, students process their emotions through artistic expression in a creative workshop.
The LCCF’s commitment to providing funding ensures that initiatives like the Rise Above program can continue to grow and positively impact the community. Behind this dedication to youth empowerment and community investment is the careful stewardship of the foundation’s grant-making efforts.
One person who plays a crucial role in managing these resources is Dave Koser, LCCF’s Director of Programs. He oversees the foundation’s $3-4 million annual grant-making budget, with an additional $1 million set aside for this special centennial year. There are many organizations and nonprofits in Lancaster County offering ways for community members to get involved and make a difference.
“The community foundation is here now to think about the future,” said Koser. “People in the past were thinking about us, and that’s why we are able to have these funds. We hope to have a great impact on Lancaster County for many years to come.”
The next award event is for category four: Protecting Our Planet on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Farm at Eagles Ridge.
Information on the Lancaster County Community Foundation can be found at www.lancfound.org