Last November, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded The Erie Community Foundation with a $1M grant to assist Erie County nonprofits in their efforts to put county residents back to work. From the federal grant money, ReTool Erie was created. ReTool Erie combines the efforts of The Foundation, Nonprofit Partnership and the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence. ReTool Erie will release applications for grants to help Erie County nonprofits strengthen their workforce development programs. “ReTool Erie” will host public meetings as follows:

• In Erie: March 17th at 9 a.m., Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Library

• In Corry: March 18th at 1 p.m., Corry Higher Education Council
• In Edinboro: March 18th at 4:30 p.m, NW Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5

“At the public meetings, we will announce details of the program and release the applications,” said Amanda Brown Sissem, project officer of ReTool Erie. “Our goal is to find approximately 25 organizations to share the money.” Grants will be coupled with one-to-one coaching and a free training series. Organizations interested in attending a ReTool Erie public meeting should visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org to register.

Beginning in May, ReTool Erie will bring in national and regional workforce experts. “Our goal is to train organizations in the best practices to address the broad economic recovery issues present in our region,” Sissem added.

The Erie Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, by promoting responsible philanthropy and by connecting donors to the critical needs of the community. Presently, The Foundation is home to over 600 charitable endowments operating under the administrative umbrella of a single public charity. For more information, visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org or call 814-454-0843.