Private Industry Council Awarded a
Thomas Nega Drug-Free Lifestyle Grant

The Private Industry Council is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a Thomas Nega Drug-Free Lifestyle Grant award of $2,000 from the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WeDAC). The grant award will be used for parenting education and resource materials which will enable the Private Industry Council to promote drug-free lifestyles to low-income families enrolled in the Private Industry Council's Family Literacy Program. The Private Industry Council recognizes the importance of the Prevention Plan Goals of the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission and in quality parent/child time. This funding will enable us to make an impact in both of these areas.

The Thomas Nega Drug-Free Lifestyle Grants are made available by WeDAC in an effort to recognize and reward Westmoreland County grassroots organizations and community or school groups that have recently demonstrated their commitment to the promotion of drug-free lifestyles. All projects, services or activities must be directly related to achievement of one or more of WeDAC's six-year Prevention Plan goals. These goals were constructed in response to risk/needs expressed by respondents to WeDAC's 2004 survey of community problems. The proposed services provided by PIC will directly support the following Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission's Goals:

• By June 30, 2009 reduce favorable parental attitudes and involvement in the problem behavior among the general population in Westmoreland County by 5%
• By June 30, 2009, reduce family management problems among general population in Westmoreland County by 5%

PIC has provided Family Literacy services in Westmoreland County for the past ten years. Since that time, experience has indicated a need to offer family-building and parenting skills, including promoting healthy lifestyles and health literacy. The funding provided by this grant will enable PIC to purchase educational materials to build an Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drug use/abuse resource library for current and future Family Literacy participants. These materials will be utilized during the Parent Time component and Intergenerational Literacy Activities.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, PIC's mission is to educate, encourage, and empower family and individual development and create career enhancement opportunities through education, training, and workforce development, which will perpetuate and improve the quality of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The generosity and commitment of WeDAC to the continued success of PIC's Family Literacy program is very much appreciated.

The grant will be presented to the Private Industry Council at the WeDAC's Annual Dinner on November 10, 2008 at the Willow Room in Belle Vernon.

For more information on PIC's Family Literacy program, please contact Leanne Griffith, Adult Education Supervisor, at 724-836-2600 or visit the Family Literacy page on our website.