he Patrick P. Lee Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Healthy Community Alliance for the Rural Youth Counseling and Parent Empowerment programs to be paid at $10,000 per year for the next five years. Funds will be used to continue providing free services to area children and their families.
“We truly appreciate the Lee Foundation’s support for this project,” stated HCA executive director Sharon Mathe. “Their generous grant helps to insure the future of these important programs during a time of increased need. “
In the past year alone, 45 high risk children and their families received counseling services. Many were failing in school or had problems with attention, behavior, and emotional development. Working with parents, caregivers, and schools as well as the child, RYCP counselors work to avoid or minimize worst case scenarios like foster care placement, dropping out of school, delinquent or criminal activity, and suicide attempts.
The Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) complements the counseling program (family courts often make referrals to the program). In 2008 alone 54 parents participated. Curriculum for both conflict resolution, and anger management programs have also been developed by RYCP counselors and are incorporated into the services offered to the community.
The Patrick P. Lee Foundation was formed by Patrick P. Lee in 2005 as a broad-based charitable organization dedicated to promoting awareness through education and research. Based on strong philanthropic values and a passion for community outreach, the foundation seeks to align itself with those organizations that share the same passion. An inventor and engineer early in his career, Patrick P. Lee used his business savvy and leadership skills to found Enidine Incorporated, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of shock absorption and vibration isolation products located in Buffalo, New York.
For more information about the Patrick P. Lee Foundation, its contributions and grant opportunities visit www.patrickpleefoundation.org
