FCFP awards second grant to college’s community initiative

Through its Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania has awarded $75,000 to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Lycoming County Prison-to-College Program.

The Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program considers requests from qualified nonprofit organizations serving the residents of the City of Williamsport and Lycoming County, with missions relating to art and culture, education, health and human services, youth, environment, and economic development. Penn College is among 10 area organizations to receive funds in the current grant cycle, with a total of about $1.02 million in grants approved.

FCFP is using its leadership platform to address critical issues impacting the quality of life for all members of the community it serves. FCFP’s values include visionary leadership, which is further defined by creative, resourceful thinking that leads a community through action to achieve a common goal.

The Lycoming County Prison-to-College Program aims to break down initial barriers to education and help individuals on a path to bettering themselves and their communities. The initiative aligns with the mission, vision and goals of Penn College’s human services & restorative justice major.

“FCFP has continued to show foresight and vision in its support for this program,” said Craig A. Miller, professor of history/political science and department head for social sciences and humanities. “We are grateful for the support and have enrolled students from the pre-release center in human services & restorative justice and business administration programs with the generous support from FCFP.”

Miller, who serves as director for the Prison-to-College Program, says the program’s goal is to offer residents at the Lycoming County Pre-Release Center the opportunity to take the college’s Communications (ENL 010) course at no cost. The course focuses on skills and competencies in basic writing for the workplace and in oral communication to meet the needs of the applied arts certificate student.

ENL 010 is required in the following Penn College certificate programs: automotive restoration, automotive service technician, aviation maintenance technician, CNC machinist, collision repair technician, culinary applications, diesel truck maintenance technician, plumbing, professional baking and welding, and for the concrete technician competency credential.

Upcoming Prison-to-College Program activities include: continuing to offer inmates the opportunity to take ENL 010 at no cost; offering scholarships to those in the program who wish to pursue a certificate upon their release from prison; and assisting them with the college application process, financial aid, choosing a program/career, and adjusting and adapting to college life.

A variety of Penn College offices will offer assistance during the process, and student volunteers in the human services & restorative justice major will share support and guidance.

Shelley L. Litz, assistant professor of reading, will teach the communications course for the Prison-to-College Program in Spring 2024.

In addition to partial scholarships, the FCFP grant will fund books and equipment.

This is the second grant FCFP has awarded to the Prison-to-College Program. The first grant, in the amount of $18,750, came from the Lycoming Economic Development Foundation Fund IMO Joseph L. Rider, a fund of First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

FCFP works to improve the quality of life in northcentral Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets.

To learn more about Penn College’s human services & restorative justice major, call the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at 570-327-4521.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.