PPG announced that the PPG Foundation invested $30,000 to support science, technology, engineering and math education initiatives in the Atlanta area. The grants highlight PPG’s commitment to supporting its communities and the foundation’s priority of increasing STEM educational opportunities for youth. The donations were made on behalf of PPG’s architectural coatings plant in Oakwood and distribution center in Fairburn, Georgia.

The grant recipients and programs are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) – $10,000 to support the organization’s Mentoring Towards College workshops and activities that focus on grade promotion, college awareness and access to financial aid. The funds also will help expand BBBSMA’s STE(A)M Truck enrichment activities for children and youth in the one-on-one mentoring program.

• YWCA of Greater Atlanta – $10,000 to support YWCA’s Teen Girls in Technology (TGI Tech). The grant will fund programming that inspires middle and high school girls in Title I schools to pursue future careers in science, technology, engineering, arts/design and math (STEAM). The donation will help increase the number of partner public schools and classes/cohorts offered at each site.

• Harvest Rain Academy – $10,000 to support the Pretty Brainy curriculum, which is designed to empower underserved students through hands-on curriculum. It also offers resources for school-aged girls to explore activities leading to careers in science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math (STREAM). The goal is to provide the girls with the opportunity to combine their STREAM-related interests with fashion design and technology.

“PPG is committed to supporting students in their educational experiences and giving back to the communities where we live and operate,” said Andrea Shannon, PPG plant manager, Oakwood.

“We are thrilled to partner with these organizations to develop initiatives that allow students to explore areas in STEM and that foster learning experiences leading to future careers in these fields,” added Marsha Mosley, PPG distribution manager, Fairburn.