How $10 million Pressley Ridge donation will benefit Westmoreland locations

Pressley Ridge’s Westmoreland County locations will feel the impact of a $10 million donation gifted to the social service.

Last week, Pressley Ridge announced it received the gift from MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. The McCandless-based organization offers services related to mental health, foster care, crisis stabilization and education in six states.

Across its locations, Pressley Ridge plans to use the money to promote racial equity, develop its staff and fill gaps in services, according to Susanne Cole, president and CEO of the organization.

“I think (the donation) is a testament to the work that we do,” Cole said. “I’ll look forward to how we can really enhance things for our communities in the future.”

In Westmoreland County, Pressley Ridge operates two locations in the Greensburg area. Pressley Ridge has had a presence in the county since 1992, and it serves about 400 county youth and families every year.

One location, Pressley Ridge Greensburg, provides family-based mental health services and foster care services.

The other location, Pressley Ridge Day School Greensburg, is a private academic licensed school for students ages 5 to 21. The day school offers more support than a typical special education program in public school, Cole said.

Cole said this “once in a lifetime” donation — the largest in Pressley Ridge’s history — came at a “really good time.” Pressley Ridge just completed its strategic plan and will use the money to serve more people and increase clinical skill level.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, more people have sought Pressley Ridge’s services, Cole said.

“(The pandemic) has brought to light the importance of relationships, human interaction, support, but also mental health, and what happens to our mental health when there are stressors put on all of us,” Cole said.

Though the average person doesn’t have the ability to give as much as Scott can, Cole said her donation highlights the need to give back to the community.

Those who wish to support Pressley Ridge can do so by volunteering, making a monetary donation or finding ways to support children and families in their local communities, Cole said.

“I kind of see this (donation) as everyone’s call to action,” Cole said. “How can we do our part to just help a little bit? If we all help a little bit, we can go a long way.”