PNC Foundation presents grants

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Eight Mahoning Valley organizations will share $55,000 in grants from the PNC Foundation to enhance programs serving hundreds of local pre-kindergarten children.

The grants will fund youth programs for science, technology and arts education, field trips, summer preschool and home services to children and their families.

United Way of Youngs-town and the Mahoning Valley is among the organizations PNC is funding. Students participating in its Success By 6 school readiness program will attend a four-week summer session that prepares them for school but also focuses on their social/emotional development.

Success By 6 is offered in 18 school districts across the Mahoning Valley. More than 2,000 students have gone through the program since 2009.

“We are very fortunate to have PNC as our corporate sponsor of the Success By 6 Initiative,” said Bob Hannon, president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. “Its support helps us give children a chance to get ahead before they fall behind. We test them the first and last day, giving us the data to verify the progress made during an intense four-week program.”

Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley will receive a grant to continue its Financial Education for Young Children program. First started in 2012, the program offers basic financial literacy to 250 preschool children throughout the region.

With the grant renewal, Junior Achievement will provide materials, supplies and evaluation costs for 12 classroom programs. Like many of the programs served through PNC grants, it will also provide opportunities for PNC Bank employees to volunteer in the classroom.

PNC announced additional grants to D & E Counseling Center, Trumbull County Community Action Program, OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, Millcreek Children’s Center, Easter Seal Society of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties and YWCA of Youngstown.