Community Impact Hub Grants Catalyze Another Summer of Community-Based Research and Investment

Over twenty community organizations saw boosts to their operational efficiency, research capabilities, and physical infrastructure this summer thanks to financial and physical aid spurred by Allegheny College's Community Impact Hub.

Now closing in on its two-year anniversary serving the region - primarily Crawford County - The Hub was founded to improve quality of life in Greater Meadville. One way it does so is by coordinating subgrants for leaders and business owners looking to make community service-oriented improvements within their organizations, while simultaneously creating hands-on learning opportunities for Allegheny College students.

Over $100,000 in subgrants was distributed this summer alone.

As Allegheny students head back to the classroom, here's a closer look at some of the projects they've collaborated on through The Hub as it continues to champion a flourishing northwestern Pennsylvania.

Birds as Bridges: Connecting People to Nature

Students Cora Miranda '27 and Izzie Rogerson '28 erected birdhouses and hosted events for the public at Tamarack Wildlife Center's recently purchased 80-acre property. In line with the new site's goal of expanding conservation efforts, summer events included a birdhouse demonstration, a bird banding demonstration, and a "Bioblitz" where experts were stationed around the site to teach others about the various species at the site.

The organization says that without the community-based research students, they wouldn't have had the bandwidth this summer to connect the public with the new wildlife site, which they hope will be a place where wildlife and humans thrive.

"Students are getting real-life experience to steward critical wildlife habitats and engage the public," said Carol Holmgren, executive director of Tamarack Wildlife Center. "I had a great experience working with [Assistant Professor of Biology Jen Houtz] and her students [Miranda and Rogerson]."

Diabetes Camp

For some, diabetes can be a life-changing diagnosis. With the support of Diabetes Camp through Camp Fitch (YMCA), it doesn't have to be. Children learn how to manage their diabetes while enjoying a summer camp. Between campfire nights, horseback riding, rock climbing, and swimming around Lake Erie, children have a medical team to maintain their blood sugar and medications.

Amelia Finaret, associate professor of economics and global health, has been a longtime proponent of the annual event. This year, support from The Hub enabled Diabetes Camp to offer expanded scholarships, removing a barrier to entry for some attendees.

"The scholarships removed the barrier to attendance, covering the full fee for up to eight kids from the area to attend and not miss out based on price or having to rely on scholarship funds from uncertain other sources," Finaret says.

Erie Art Museum Digitization Project

Angelee Bawek '27 and Owen Ranus '27 spent the summer digitizing hundreds of works at the Erie Art Museum. Come 2028, the digitized works will be used in an open-access database for all to browse.

Associate Professor of Art Paula Burleigh is currently vice president of the museum's board and helped facilitate its connection to The Hub.

"Having Allegheny students contribute allowed the museum to make significant progress on this multi-year project and, in turn, gave our students invaluable, hands-on experience working in a museum, building skills that they will apply in future academic and professional endeavors," Burleigh said.

Full STEAM Ahead

Held at ALIC @ Bessemer, the 2026 STEAM Summer Camp introduced 5th to 7th graders to technical learning. The camp focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, and is hosted in collaboration with the Crawford County K-12 Career Education Alliance and Me Again Mentoring.

Me Again Mentoring is a Meadville-based nonprofit that mentors the next generation of prosthetic and orthotic practitioners. For camp, the team created a hands-on lesson where the children assembled a prosthesis - which they got to take home - by taking a mold of their own foot to get a sense of how prosthetics and orthotics are created.

Tammie McElhinny is the Program Director for Me Again Mentoring and CPO/Owner of the associated Me Again Boutique.

"Everybody knows somebody who needs us, yet most people have no idea of what an orthotist or prosthetist really does," McElhinny said. "It is a niche industry combining healthcare and manufacturing, one that touches the lives of individuals affected by many life-changing conditions such as diabetes, stroke, limb loss, plantar fasciitis, breast cancer, lymphedema, and nearly every family in our community."

McElhinny hopes the opportunity helped students understand how their interests could make a difference in the lives of their neighbors in Meadville.

Prospect Street Placemaking Project

Nathan George '29 developed a digital presence for local nonprofit Common Roots, which is developing affordable housing on Prospect Street. Cam Lesher '24, director of housing programs at Common Roots, said he's already noticed an increase in community knowledge surrounding the work thanks to George's social media efforts.

"We appreciate Allegheny's support because we would not have been able to do this without the funds," Lesher said. "The grant has really been a starter for relationships and projects that I can see living far past this summer."

Other students and employees continue to contribute to the site in other Hub-supported ways, including construction, fencing, and landscaping projects. A mural is being planned in the future alongside Bonner students to establish a place of belonging and a place to thrive.

"It is beautiful to continue to work with the College through these homes because the houses were originally student housing," Lesher added. "It is support and collaboration with Allegheny that has made every part of these homes happen for Meadville."

Pedal Power

Pedal Power has gained momentum in the last few years as it's expanded its bike refurbishment program. Old, donated bikes are restored and given to local youths free of charge.

So far, over 30 bikes have been repaired. This summer, Gideon Morley '29 and Emily Arendas '28 taught lessons on road safety and bike repair with the Family Children & Community Association. Upon completing their lesson, they receive the bike they worked on, a helmet, and a booklet on bike laws and safety at no cost.

Solid Footing for Creative Collaboration Collab

Together, the Meadville Community Theatre and French Creek Community Theatre have worked with Shreyoshi Sharbojoya '29 and Zahra Evans '29 to lay the foundation for an annual theatre camp.

Upon reflection, Evans said her favorite aspect of the project was forming connections with campers.

"My favorite aspect of this project was the connections we were able to form with the campers. It was so wonderful to see them come out of their shells throughout the week and really get immersed in the various activities we planned for them," Evans said. "One girl in particular stands out to me. In the beginning, she was very shy and reserved, but by the end we would frequently see her singing. On the last day, she wrote us all poems as a thank you."

Meadville Community Theatre also earned a subgrant through The Hub for improved theatre flooring at the pair's shared home in Cussewago Square.

Technological Literacy and Safety Initiative

Over the summer, Jasmine Dickens '28 worked with the Crawford County Mental Health Awareness Program (CHAPS) to purchase new computers to help those who need assistance using technology to find a job or other necessary tasks.

The new devices specifically support members of its Journey Center Clubhouse support group and Pathfinders youth group as both find jobs and connect with the Meadville community. Journey Center members, for example, collaborate with CHAPS staff on social media management and marketing efforts. The laptops are also essential for when Career Link or other agencies visit to work on skill development with the members.

If you'd like to learn more about the Community Impact Hub or be notified when the next subgrant application process begins, email [email protected].

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