FRED SOMERSET LEGACY PROJECT
SERVING THE SHENANGO VALLEY AND WARREN (OH) / SOUTHERN TRUMBULL COUNTY
AMOUNT DONATED: $0
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program was created as a grass roots initiative in 1996 initially to provide scholarships to deserving and disadvantaged students. Our organization later expanded its focus to the building of positive family and community development in underserved locations by highlighting the early contributions of African American culture and arts. Our mission is to serve as a fund to promote student leadership, cultural sensitivity and diversity, equity, and community development for young adults and their families who are negatively impacted by inequality and racial disparity in mental and physical health, literacy, education, finance, and cultural awareness.
Giving Week Progress:
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $6,000
Programs Supported by Your Donations
The Legacy Cultural Project was created in 2022 as our ongoing grassroots initiative serving twenty-seven residents in Farrell, Pennsylvania. We intentionally selected Farrell for this project after identifying key demographic and socioeconomic factors. The city’s population is 53.31% African American, 38.32% White, and 5.84% multiracial. The average household income is $45,078, with a poverty rate of 41.34%. Additionally, the police department is 95% non-African American.
The Legacy Cultural Project, now in its fourth year, is an immersive educational experience serving 27 participants through a civil rights journey to Selma and Montgomery. In partnership with the City of Farrell, the Farrell Area School District, and the Hope Center for Arts and Technology, the project brings together students, parents, educators, law enforcement, and city leadership. The project engages in open, honest, and unscripted dialogue about race, history, and community relations, participants gain a deeper understanding of social justice and civic responsibility.
The Legacy Cultural Project is an urgent and essential initiative designed to address economic and health inequities, cultural sensitivity, and community safety in Farrell. Our goal is to promote student leadership, community development, civic engagement, and cultural sensitivity by utilizing the arts and African American history.
Needs that Cannot beMet without Your Help
The Legacy Cultural Project has experienced significant growth in demand, expanding from 15 participants to 27 participants due to increased community interest, expanded initiatives, and rising costs for airfare, hotel accommodations, and food. Limited funding and reduced fundraising capacity over the past year have prevented us from fully meeting this demand.
Despite these constraints, we developed a more sustainable, meaningful model that amplified the need for youth leadership programming, including Leadership Under Fire and a Municipal project to strengthen long-term community impact and sustainability. However, without resources, we cannot scale participation, maintain quality, or ensure equitable access for all applicants.
