Liz Hughes-Weaver,
Development Director
614-545-2708
lhweaver@cchouse.org
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Community House, a private nonprofit community center operating in the settlement house tradition, is pleased to announce that it has received a special grant in the amount of $10,500 from the Puffin Foundation.
The grant, the largest of its kind ever made in Columbus, was recently awarded to Central Community House’s afterschool program, Community’s Promise, in order to maintain the number of children to be served through the end of 2010 in light of recent funding cuts from other sources. The program serves up to 50 children living in the near east side providing transportation from local schools, daily snacks and meals, education support, and healthy activities, with a focus on art and cultural enrichment through a collaboration with Greater Columbus Arts Council called “Art in the House.”
Java Kitrick, director of Puffin Midwest, stated, “The Community’s Promise program provides a safe and enriching environment that promotes academic success and empowers children to develop a deep love of learning.”
The Puffin Foundation, based in Teaneck, NJ, supports artistic, cultural and public interest projects that address issues of social justice. The foundation has been continuing the dialogue between art and the lives of ordinary people locally since 1986 and has supported over 100 local projects by artists whose socially relevant works were judged to be outside established norms. In 2007, Puffin was instrumental in bringing the witness project Eyes Wide Open to the State House Lawns where nearly 2,500 pairs of combat boots were a silent monument to fallen U.S. military personnel. Another Puffin Foundation special grant helped to erect a radio tower to allow Columbus Community Radio Foundation to operate 102.1 FM and 98.3 FM bringing programming of educational and public affairs as well as local and international news, including Democracy Now!
Central Community House is a private non-profit settlement house providing programs designed to strengthen families and improve community life in the near east side and southeast quadrant of Columbus. A United Way member agency, CCH is a multi-service community center focusing on child care, youth and family programs, neighborhood support, and development initiatives to reduce barriers and increase self-sufficiency. The executive director is Pamela McCarthy. For additional information, please call 614-252-3157 or visit www.cchouse.org.
