Community Resource Center Opens in Moxham

November 15, 2016, By Ronald Fisher, Follow him on Twitter @FisherSince_82., Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

A new community-based resource in Johnstown’s Moxham section will open its doors this week.

The Trojan Family Resource Center is a collaborative effort between Greater Johnstown School District, Cambria County Child Development Corp. and Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies.

The center will celebrate its grand opening with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at its 540 Central Ave. location.

The ceremony will be followed by tours, refreshments and a variety of children’s activities.

Goodwill Industries youth services coordinator Cindy O’Connor said the center will work to fill a need in the area.

“It started out as giving the opportunity for individuals to come who have limited transportation and limited opportunities to go to the CareerLink in Richland,” O’Connor said.

“Our partner Cambria County Child Development Corporation, who hosts the Moxham Neighborhood School, they needed a place to help their parents with some of the workforce development skills, whether it’s searching for a job, building a resume or even obtaining a high school diploma or GED,” O’Connor said.

“So it’s a multipurpose opportunity with an area that is self-guided for the kids to do some activities while the parents are either working with one of our job developers or seeking information on the computer,” she said.

The funding to create the collaborative effort became available through a Community Innovation Zone grant.

“It has just progressed into what is happening today and where all the resources are being housed,” said Christina Baughman, program manager for the Child Development Corp.

“We are very grateful that we have the funding for this and that we can all collaborate as partners and make this happen,” she said.

Mike Vuckovich, acting superintendent of Greater Johnstown School District, said he couldn’t be more excited about the new resource available in the area.

“Rather than having to drive up to Richland or take buses, it’s available down in Moxham. So it’s convenient, it’s equitable and it’s eliminating barriers,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that we are doing everything we can to work together in partnerships and collaboration with other organizations to provide all of our families, not just our students, with the support they need to find jobs and higher earning wages that they can sustain families. So it’s a step in the right direction,” Vuckovich said.

Baughman said, “There’s a definite need for support.”

She referred to the community resource as a “one-stop shop” that is open to everyone in the area.

Shasta Weaver, education director for the Child Development Corp., said the facility will have many activities for children, including a Children’s Corner that will consist of a lending library along with many art supplies and materials.

Weaver said that there will be take-home information there as well. She said there are plans to eventually utilize the corner for informative family sessions and trainings.

The Children’s Corner will be open during the tours.

O’Connor said Tuesday’s event is an opportunity for people to see what the center is all about.

“People can see where we are located, how to access the building, and what the children’s area has to offer,” Baughman said.

There will also be a chance for those in attendance to win a basket of books, she said.

Vuckovich encourages the community to take advantage of the new center.

“Come take advantage of it, learn and get the help you need,” he said.

The Trojan Family Resource Center will be open to the public beginning on Wednesday.

The center’s days and hours of operation are: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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