$300K State Grant to Help Jana Marie Foundation Expand Programs for Centre County Youth

A $300,000 state grant will help a Centre County nonprofit organization reach more local youth with its mental health and emotional well-being programs.

Jane Marie Foundation received the funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to expand summer camps and and after‑school clubs for upper‑elementary through high‑school students, according to state Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township.

“This investment will help expand critical supports for Centre County youth,” Takac said in a statment. “These programs give young people the tools they need to build emotional strength, connect with caring adults and thrive in school and in life.”

The foundation will use the grant to serve approximately 500 youth annually through eight-week summer camps and multiple clubs with programming that that emphasizes mindfulness, coping skills, creative expression, movement, team building, and social‑emotional learning.

“We are deeply grateful for this funding, which allows us to expand our no-cost summer camps and after-school programs to reach even more young people in our community,” Marisa Vicere, president and founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, said in a statement. “This investment strengthens our commitment to promoting mental health awareness and building resilience in our community’s youth.”

The grant comes from Violence Intervention & Prevention and Building Opportunities Through Out‑of‑School Time funding administered by the PCCD. The awards are intended to expand out‑of‑school time programming for at‑risk school‑age youth and support evidence‑based practices delivered by community partners.

“These vital initiatives prioritize our children’s well‑being and the future of our community,” Takac added. “I’m proud to support efforts that expand safe, enriching opportunities for Centre County youth.”