Teachers often try to bring classroom lessons to life through hands-on community service, bridging academics with real-world impact for their students. A local nonprofit is again helping instructors at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES do just that.
The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation recently awarded four grants totaling nearly $4,000 to E2CCB through its Service Learning Grants Program. Funds were secured with the help of E2CCB’s Grant Services team.
Three of the grants will go toward projects being led by Career & Technical Education students at the LoGuidice Educational Center in Fredonia.
The Sports Conditioning & Exercise Science program was awarded a $1,000 grant toward the purchase of a Body Composition Analyzer. The device, used to provide personal biometric information to individuals, will be used at the Chautauqua Health & Fitness Community Wellness Event on April 17.
During the event, students in Cleon Clayton’s class will help members of the public check in and register, conduct health and fitness screenings, and direct participants to appropriate resources.
The Conservation/Natural Resource Management program was awarded $1,000 for the purchase of seeds, soil, and pots for its annual Earth Day project, taking place this year on April 22. Students in Taylor Beaver’s class will learn about proper planting techniques and soil composition, culminating in an Earth Day event in which 200 potted plants are given to 200 CTE students at LoGuidice.
The Criminal Justice program received $930 toward the purchase of police-themed rubber ducks and socks. The items are handed out by students in Jennie Alessi’s class when prospective students tour CTE programs at LoGuidice. The interactions provide an opportunity for visitors to engage with current students and learn more about potential careers in law enforcement.
The Academy at Maple Avenue received more than $1,000 for its Career & Technical Explorations Through Career Development & Occupational Studies program. Funds will be used to purchase a coffee maker and related items for eBrew, a program that provides students with valuable life skills by serving coffee and baked goods to students and staff.
Collaboration between the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and E2CCB has been well-established. In past years, grant funding has helped Culinary Arts students prepare food for the Empty Bowls fundraiser in Fredonia and make cookies in the shape of New York state for Chautauqua Lake elementary students.
The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation also provides funding for supplies and materials for Career Exploration Days in Dunkirk and Gowanda.
To help fund the Service Learning Grants Program, the foundation holds an annual Flapjack Fundraiser. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8-10 a.m. at Applebee’s, 3908 Vineyard Dr., Dunkirk.
