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BETHLEHEM, P.A. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Susan Wild joined Senator Bob Casey, Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, and community partners to announce $759,668 received by grant recipients through the City of Bethlehem’s 2023 Community Recovery Fund. The Community Recovery Fund (CRF) was established to address the needs of the Bethlehem community using federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan.
“I’m thrilled to see federal funds returning to Bethlehem through the Community Recovery Fund,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “These grants, made possible by the American Rescue Plan that I helped pass into law, will address pressing needs in Bethlehem and help build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.”
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the City of Bethlehem is able to fund critical projects that address short-term problems and promote long-term growth,” said Senator Casey. “The Community Recovery Fund is a perfect example of taxpayer dollars going back into our communities that need them the most.”
“The Community Recovery Fund (CRF) will be transformative for our community,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds. Thanks to Congresswoman Wild’s and Senator Casey’s support, we have the resources necessary to help our citizens. The CRF will be a sustainable and consistent vehicle for building a stronger community. This is a permanent and systemic investment in our city. This is a historic day.”
Funded with federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan, Bethlehem’s Community Recovery Fund aims to increase the accessibility of grant funding by supporting organizations that typically struggle to receive funding and fill operational funding gaps not met by other sources. The Bethlehem City Council has approximately $2.25 million remaining in the Community Recovery Fund to provide for future investments.
Recipients of 2023 Community Recovery Fund grants include local organizations focused on child care, economic development, education and literacy, arts and culture, food assistance, mental health, senior services, and more. These needs were identified by a community-wide survey conducted last year. The below nonprofit and community organizations were selected to receive funding this cycle:
- Aspire to Autonomy, Trauma-Focused and Person-Centered Specialized Therapy Program
- The Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, The Nutcracker for Students
- Bethlehem Area Public Library, Mental Health Supportive Services
- Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club, Teen Programming
- Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, Bicycle Cooperative & Bike Safety Program
- Citizen’s Christmas City Committee, Southside Greenway Holiday Light Displays
- Communities In Schools of Eastern PA, Integrated Student Supports Program
- Godfrey Daniels, 2023-2024 Programming
- Greater Valley YMCA, Bethlehem Child Care Center
- Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, Basilio Huertas Senior Center Kitchen Improvements
- Icehouse Performing Arts Collaborative, Community Programming
- ITN Lehigh Valley, Senior Ride Program
- Kellyn Foundation, Food Coupon Program
- Miller-Keystone Blood Center, Satellite Blood Donation Center
- Monocacy Farm Project, Fresh Produce Distribution
- Moravian University, Liberty High School Wellness and Resiliency Center
- National Museum of Industrial History, Capacity Building for Diverse Audiences
- New Bethany, Inc., Choice Food Pantry Renovations
- Northeast Community Center, Healthy Produce Program
- Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, Literature-based Theatre for School Children Program
- Pinebrook Family Answers, Technology Updates
- The Preventative Measures Foundation, Community Support Services
- Terra Health Equity, Lifestyle Medicine Program
- Touchstone Theatre, 2023 Festival Unbound
- Valley Youth House Committee, Inc., School-Based Counseling Program
- Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings
- YWCA, Youth Empowerment Initiative
For more information on the 2023 Community Recovery Fund, click here.
Information provided to TVL by:
Katie Smith
