This month, Anchor House is spotlighting the High Foundation, one of our newest funders. High Foundation is committed to leading with a heart of service and a spirit of collaboration. In the words of their founder, S. Dale High, “we believe that the more we can do together, the more we can become.” High Foundation is located in Lancaster and supports Lancaster-based nonprofits as well as nonprofits located in areas where High companies provide economic investment and employment.
It was our pleasure to welcome Robin D. Stauffer, the High Foundation’s President and CEO, and Christina J. Snyder, the High Foundation’s Grants Manager, to tour our programs with Anchor House Executive Director Kim McNear. This visit led to Anchor House applying for an Opportunity Grant to purchase a vehicle for our Coordinated Entry Assessment System (CEAS) Program. The grant was awarded earlier this year.
“I am so appreciative for funders like the High Foundation who award grants for expenses like vehicles, as that is harder and harder to find,” says Kim. “Both Robin and Chris asked thoughtful questions during their tour, wanting to learn about our services and the issues facing our youth. Opportunity Grant is a fitting name as this vehicle will open the doors to many opportunities for CEAS and the youth they serve.”
One of the uses of the vehicle will be for the CEAS team to conduct street outreach, connecting youth on the streets with services including emergency shelter and housing placements, crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals for additional services with community providers. Another use of the vehicle will be for CEAS Case Managers to provide transportation for youth, including to job interviews and appointments, to pick up prescriptions, shop for essential items like clothes and food, and explore housing options.
When Andrea Wormley, one of our dedicated CEAS Case Managers, saw the new vehicle, she was moved to happy tears. She explains, “I don’t want it to be missed that our youth’s needs often show up at the last minute, and having a van for transport allows me to address a critical need on the spot. While it’s preferable that our youth schedule their request for transport, it’s unrealistic to expect they have their lives all figured out when they are focused on surviving from day to day. Much of the time, it’s ‘Boom!’ I need food; I forgot I have an appointment at TASK [Trenton Area Soup Kitchen]; the ride I had left me hanging, etc. Now, CEAS can do a ‘Boom!’ and meet youth where they are!”
Programs like CEAS have been at risk due to threats of funding cuts. We are thankful to the High Foundation for investing in CEAS and for a vehicle for this program.