Olivet Boys & Girls Club received a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant for much needed infrastructure improvements at the Mulberry Street, the PAL, Clinton Street clubhouse and Clinton Pool sites.
The award was among a number of grants announced Wednesday by Governor Tom Wolf’s office.
“Yesterday’s historic grant to the Olivet Boys & Girls Club will directly impact our mission serving thousands of youth throughout our community allowing us to offer experiences and opportunities to the young people in safe, secure and updated facilities,” said Olivet Boys & Girls Club President and CEO Christopher M Winters.
“We recognize and thank Governor Wolf, Senator Judy Schwank, State Representatives Mark Rozzi, Manny Guzman, Barry Jozwiak, Mark Gillen, Ryan McKenzie, Berks County Senate and House Delegation and many community and business leaders championing the needs of our young people and help keeping the Blue Doors of Olivet open.”
The grant award comes on the heels of Olivet being awarded $879,500 from the County of Berks and the City of Reading ARPA funds.
“Olivet is incredibly fortunate to have local and state elected officials who are champions of youth. Safety is a top priority for Olivet and this funding opportunity will allow the organization to address critical safety and infrastructure needs to continue to provide much needed services and programs for youth in the local community,” said Rachel Kuhn, Chairwoman, Olivet Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.
RACP, a Commonwealth grant program, is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activities.
The funds will be utilized over the next several years to address infrastructure, security and safety upgrades at Olivet facilities which will allow the organization to enhance and expand programs and services to youth, especially those that are most in need, in the local community.
