Money raised through the Laurel Run/Walk is directed to The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Each year, Filling the Gap, Inc., uses money from the Laurel Run Fund to award grants that do one of three things:

• provide employment and work training opportunities for people with disabilities;
• enhance the independence of people with disabilities;
• promote disability awareness initiatives.

This year, $13,800 in Laurel Run Fund money was awarded to support these initiatives:

• Project SEARCH, a collaboration between The Resource Center and UPMC Chautauqua in which people with developmental disabilities complete a nine-month internship to prepare them for work in a health care setting. Several Project SEARCH graduates have been hired by UPMC Chautauqua.
• A Summer Career Camp so students and young adults can gain hands-on knowledge about working in the automotive, culinary, landscaping, and retail fields. The two five-day Career Camps, which will take place in August, also will address financial literacy and provide training on using the CHQ Transit system.
• THRIVE, a TRC program that supports people in addressing their goals. THRIVE, which stands for Teaching Habits and Re­sources for Independence, Vitality and Em­powerment, is a new program. Thus far members have learned about making healthier dietary decisions and how to reduce stress and deal constructively with their emotions.
• Sprout Film Festival, a series of short films that focus on the experiences of people with disabling conditions.
• Kids & Sibs Camp, a collaboration among The Resource Center and other community agencies to provide a two-day camp experience for children with special needs and their siblings.
• TRC’s Occupational Therapy Department.

Beginning this year, a portion of the Laurel Run/Walk proceeds will be used to support the Dr. John Vona Smile Fund. The fund was created in memory of Dr. Vona by his children. Dr. Vona was a respected and beloved dentist who spent the last 20 years of his career at The Resource Center’s Dunkirk dental clinic, where he was committed to meeting the oral health needs of people with disabilities. The Smile Fund will support the delivery of quality dental services to people with disabilities.

Please consider making a donation to support the Laurel Run Fund.