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By: Stephanie Farr, Sun-Gazette Staff September 14, 2005 Through his Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action program, director Loni Gamble has fostered and showcased the talents of many young people throughout the community. Yet it was Gamble himself who was in the spotlight Tuesday night, when he was presented with the Person of the Year award and his program was given an award of merit at the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies banquet in State College. Gamble was nominated for the state-wide award by Beth Turner, director of the Lycoming County Housing Authority. Since July 2004, CAPPA's Penn Vale location and the two organizations have worked hand-in-hand to foster creativity and leadership in area youth. Turner said she nominated Gamble for the award because of the countless hours he puts into the program, which is funded mainly through grants and personal donations. April 25, 2005 – CAPPA opened a Creative and Performing Arts Studio/Computer Technology Center in partnership with Lycoming Housing in Penn Vale. At The Computer Technology Center, participants can utilize high speed internet access, homework help, one-on-one assistance, research tools and entertainment. The Creative and Performing Arts Studio was created to provide a venue for young people to develop vocal and instrumental talents i.e. guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, etc. June 11, 2005 -- CAPPA successfully initiated and hosted the First Annual Young Artist in Action Performing Artists Showcase. Over 160 participants between the ages of 9 through 17 from the Williamsport Area School District and the Loyalsock School District displayed their unique talents. Participants worked along with performing arts professionals and volunteers to develop their emerging talent. This program is done in partnership with the Williamsport Area School District, Loyalsock Township School District and Giant Food Stores, Inc. The Performing Artist Showcase has now been added as an annual initiative to our programming and is televised via Suscom Cable. The First Annual Showcase was televised to over 30,000 Suscom Cable viewers. September 13, 2005, -- CAPPA in partnership with Lycoming Housing received the 2005 Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA) Best Practice Award for innovative community youth programs. Loni Gamble, Executive Director received the “Person of the Year” State Award. June through August 2005 -- The CAPPA Summer Youth Basketball League enrolled over 140 participants from the City of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, South Williamsport and Montoursville. The Fourth Annual Basketball League Award Ceremony was held on October 1, 2005. All participants received awards for their participation. Present – CAPPA in partnership with Lycoming Housing is expanding services to the following public housing sites in Williamsport: Kennedy King Community Center, 709 Foresman Street; Michael Ross, 1600 Sherman Street; and PD Mitchell, 570 Memorial Avenue and Locust Street. Each location will offer a computer technology center with high speed internet access available to everyone in the surrounding community. Present – CAPPA is collaborating with students from Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities to provide mentorship and support to all participants involved in the CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project programs. Present -- The Youth Employment Initiative recruits youth between the ages 15 to 19 from low and moderate-income families to provide employment opportunities. CAPPA refers suitable candidates for employment and provides necessary follow-up to reinforce good work ethics. This year CAPPA has secured 12 participants with jobs through various community partners, i.e. Giant Food Stores, Inc., YMCA, and The City of Williamsport Department of Recreation. CAPPA is soon to release the “What’s Goin On” CD. The “What’s Goin On” CD contains powerful and positive lyrical content written by Tayshon Stelly, a 13 year old participant. The “What’s Goin On” Campaign is designed to bring awareness from a teenage perspective to many of the social ills of today. Today, CAPPA now serves approximately 400 youth in the Williamsport Area and Lycoming County through its variety of programs. The Showcase and Basketball Project is bridging gaps and bringing segments of our community closer together. The CAPPA Project also created a multi-cultural opportunity for schools and communities to work together. |