Our History

In the spring of 1981, a group of BUDD Fund Trustees sought to utilize the trust to benefit the children of Mercer County. Judge Acker appointed a 40-member Ad Hoc Committee comprising community leaders and professionals from various disciplines to explore this question. The committee, with professional support from the Office of Education and Regional Programming, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, conducted a comprehensive four-year study of Human Services to children of Mercer County, known as the Mercer Adolescent Project.

The study received a grant of $62,230.00 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in October 1983, with $109,106.00 in continuation funding in October 1984. The project concluded on October 30, 1985, and identified seven major objectives to be achieved through a systems approach to community services for at-risk children. On October 31, 1985, the judges of the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas agreed to appoint an Advisory Committee to pursue these objectives.

On January 8, 1986, the Mercer County Juvenile Court Advisory Committee was established, with members including the County Commissioner designated as liaison for Mercer County Human Services, clergy, educators, and the private sector. The committee was responsible for ensuring the availability of adequate services to children, youth, and their families within Mercer County.

The committee initially selected three critical needs and established task forces to accomplish these goals, including developing a Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program, extending the knowledge and skills of professionals who provide services to children and community awareness, and promoting inter-agency coordination and development of a multi-agency management information system.

To achieve their goals, the committee determined that a full-time coordinator was necessary, and funding in the amount of $39,000.00 was obtained from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to employ a full-time coordinator designated as a Community Specialist from January 1 through December 31, 1987.

The Mercer County Juvenile Advisory Council, Inc. was incorporated on January 31, 1988, and received its 501(c)(3) designation. It is currently governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with an office at 3206 Lamor Road, Hermitage, PA. The Council's programs are funded by the BUDD Orphans' Home Trust, the Human Service Development Fund, and private donations.