Smith-Wade-El secures $115K for 49th District: District Office Open House Will Be Held Friday, March 3
Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El February 17, 2023 | 12:36 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced that he secured $115,000 in state grants for community organizations in the 49th District and is inviting residents of the district to his District Office Open House on March 3 to learn more about the services his office provides.
“Our community organizations lift up the lives of so many in our district,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As state representative for Lancaster City, Lancaster Township, and Millersville, I am committed not just to legislating on behalf of our community, but to doing my part to encourage and support these organizations by bringing home the resources they need to give our neighbors the help they deserve.”
The following groups received grants:
Community Action Partnerships $20,000 to support the Crispus Attucks Community Center’s youth and community-serving programs was awarded by the PA Department of Human Services.
City of Lancaster $20,000 to construct and establish the Beaver Street Pocket Park was awarded by PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
City of Lancaster Bureau of Fire $15,000 to support fire services was awarded by the PA Office of State Fire Commissioner.
Lancaster Township Fire Department $15,000 to support fire services was awarded by the PA Office of State Fire Commissioner.
Blue Rock Fire Rescue, Millersville $15,000 to support fire services was awarded by the PA Office of State Fire Commissioner.
Bright Side Opportunities Center $15,000 to pay for the facility costs of a HVAC was awarded by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
The Common Wheel $15,000 to support the apprenticeship and youth programs of the Reservoir Park Community Center was awarded by the PA Department of Education.
The community organizations reacted to the grant awards:
On the award to Bright Side Opportunities Center, President and CEO Willonda McCloud said, “The grant for the HVAC unit will allow members in the community to continue to receive services and visit our community partners in a climate-controlled environment.”
On the award for the Beaver Street Pocket Park, Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace said, “Enhancing the pocket park on Beaver Street in Lancaster City will give neighbors a vibrant space to play, gather, and build community. We are grateful for Rep. Smith-Wade-El's dedication to strengthening our neighborhoods through projects like this.”
On the award to its apprenticeship and youth programs, Common Wheel’s Executive Director said, “We are grateful to Rep. Smith Wade-El because this grant will provide needed funding for youth programs and apprenticeships teaching foundational STEM skills leading to transformative resume-building experiences, setting our youth up for success from a young age.”
On the award for the Crispus Attucks Community Center, Community Action Partnerships CEO Vanessa Philbert said, “CAP is appreciative of Rep. Smith-Wade-El’s support of Crispus Attucks’ work to amplify the Black voice, meet neighborhood needs, and grow a thriving community. These dollars will support the award-winning Infamous Unstoppables Drill Team and Drum Squad, as well as Crispus Attucks’ Young Professionals of Color network.
“CAP’s vision of our community as a model of equity, justice and prosperity demands culturally diverse safe spaces, and we are deeply committed to Crispus Attucks’ sustainability as a cornerstone of a thriving Lancaster where everyone’s talents, achievements and contributions are recognized and valued.”
The grants for the Millersville and Lancaster fire companies can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts.
Smith-Wade-El also invites residents of the 49th District to attend his District Open House from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 3. His office is located at 150 E. King St., Ste. B, Lancaster, 17602.
“I encourage residents to stop by to meet me and my staff to find out how my office can help them with the vast array of state government programs and services, such as property taxes, rent rebates, PennDOT services and more,” Smith-Wade-El said. “I look forward to meeting our district’s residents to hear their concerns and let them know that my office is here for them.”