Education
In June 2023 , the West Virginia University ( WVU ) at Parkersburg Foundation received a $ 10 million gift from a family foundation to purchase a closed higher education institution in Vienna , WV .
“ This gift allows us to address several economic issues ,” says Torie Jackson , president of WVU Parkersburg . “ We will use the facility to create a branch campus called the WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center ( ITC ).”
This facility will house computer science and computer information technology degrees , as well as the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree for the college . The foundation is renovating the building and will gift it to the college . The ITC will be an educational institution as well as a place for business locations and co-working spaces . The foundation ’ s purchase enables the college to fulfill its mission to be a community partner because it addresses needs such as housing , daycare and workforce development .
Adam Sanders , president of the Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation , emphasizes the importance of community and technical colleges when discussing education .
“ While we value education , we place more emphasis on community and technical colleges ( CTC ) compared to four-year institutions ,” he says . “ There ’ s a real job at the end of graduation from CTCs , often at a much lower cost .”
This approach aligns with local employment demands , providing immediate opportunities for graduates . Recognizing the potential of federal and national grants , the Steeley Foundation assists local nonprofits and schools in securing these funds . Often , they lack awareness , grant writers and matching requirements .
“ We ’ ve provided match funding , such as the $ 1 million USDA grant for Morgan County public schools ,” Sanders says . “ This initiative has turned $ 300,000 of our funds into $ 3 million for the community .”
Childcare is one issue related to education that is often neglected . The region faces a deficit of 5,300 childcare slots , impacting 32 % of the eligible child population . Sanders touches on the severity of this issue in West Virginia .
“ The state ’ s restrictive policies make it difficult for daycare centers to be profitable ,” he says . “ We ’ re the worst of the 50 states regarding childcare policies , hindering our ability to effect change without state intervention .”
Advantage Valley is making an effort to address this by launching a series of 12 childcare startup workshops to support new providers .
for students studying counseling and social work . This initiative is crucial as it provides hands-on experience to students while addressing a critical workforce gap .
Collaborative efforts within the state have also led to impactful initiatives . Health-related foundations in West Virginia have launched central kitchens to prepare nutrientdense meals for childcare centers and other organizations , benefiting both the local economy and health of local children .
Steffen highlights the continued need to reduce transportation barriers and support mental health , especially when it comes to high-risk youth . The foundation recently helped expand the Routes to Recovery program , providing non-emergency medical transportation and employment for people in recovery , demonstrating its holistic approach to health and community support .
“ The Division of Community Health in Family Medicine at the School of Medicine has served as the academic partner with funding from the Benedum Foundation ,” says Deb Koester , assistant professor and director of the division of community health at Marshall Health .
This innovative approach integrates a community health worker-based care management model into practice settings to address both social and health-related needs . Marshall Health has also introduced a model benefiting high-risk youth by integrating a high-risk youth specialist community health worker in school-based health centers . This initiative not only builds a new workforce but also addresses critical health care needs , particularly for vulnerable populations .
Sisters Health Foundation and Marshall Health ’ s efforts ,
Health Care
Sisters Health Foundation mostly focuses its efforts within the health care space , but the foundation ’ s initiatives also intersect with housing and workforce issues .
“ We support partners working to prevent housing evictions , acknowledging that not having adequate housing directly impacts one ’ s mental and physical health and ability to maintain employment ,” says Renee Steffen , executive director of Sisters Health Foundation .
To address behavioral health workforce shortages in the Mid-Ohio Valley , the foundation supports a paid internship partnership between WVU and Westbrook Health Services
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