Community Project Funding

• 7,000,000: Borough of Pottstown - Keystone Boulevard Extension Project
  • Description: for engineering and design costs for the Keystone Boulevard Project which will provide street access to properties that do not currently have it. For the sites that do have access to existing Keystone Boulevard, extending the road would improve their accessibility by providing access to the recently reconstructed Stowe interchange on U.S. 422. Additionally, the project would provide more convenient access to westbound U.S. 422 for parts of Pottstown, including areas along College Drive and Industrial Highway
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $2,500,000: County of Montgomery, PA - Cross County Trail (CCT) Bridge & Trail
  • Description: for design and construction of a bridge to carry the Cross County Trail (CCT) over Germantown Pike (a multi-lane state road) in Plymouth Township, and design and construction of the 2-mile CCT segment from the Germantown Pike bridge east to its planned connection point at Joshua Rd. in Whitemarsh Township where it will tie into the soon-to-be constructed CCT through Erdenheim Farm. Once completed, these projects will provide a key alternative means of transportation for commuters and enhanced access to the broader county trail network for all trail users.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $1,994,875: Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI): Net Zero Training Program
  • Description: For bringing ATEI's Electrical Training Program in Collegeville PA into the 21st Century. ATEI currently offers multiple certifications in the areas of highest growth which will be the green jobs of the future. This funding would transform their training from a purely theoretical classroom to a hands-on training approach. They would strengthen their certifications in: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Energy Storage and Microgrid Training, Solar, Torqueing, and High Voltage Safety Training - all of which feature rigorous evaluation components in order to be awarded. The addition of E.V. charging stations, a microgrid, and a solar/battery array at our Collegeville Campus will provide instructors the resources to properly train the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $1,275,667: Manor College - Manor College Refugee, Immigrant and First-Generation College Student Support
  • Description: For students who attend Manor College with advising, tuition, housing, and other essential needs as they make their way through their two to four years at Manor College. As the United States gets ready to receive a record number of refugees from Ukraine and other conflicts worldwide, Manor College seeks to prepare for the continuing education needs of these populations. Many of these students will also reach our communities as immigrants, and many throughout the region are the first generation in their families to attend college. Manor College is America’s only accredited nonprofit institution of higher education founded by Ukrainians. In 1947 the Ukrainian Sisters of St. Basil the Great founded the college.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $1,000,000: Temple University Ambler Campus - Temple Ambler Community Kitchen (TACK)
  • Description: For Temple's Ambler Community Kitchen (TACK) project -- an adaptive reuse of a former dining hall to develop a shared commercial kitchen and food incubator including related programing to foster food entrepreneurs, on the Temple University Ambler campus in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The long-term goal of the TACK is to support the local food system, foster entrepreneurship in diverse populations, and encourage living wage job creation.  This two-phase project begins with the commercial kitchen and second phase of farmable land, all efforts will be supported with educational programs, university research, and business support services entrepreneurs. This funding will support equipment acquisition and buildout of the community kitchen, as well as no-cost entrepreneurial programming and consulting.  Programming will support food businesses in marketing and strategy development, as well as pitch prep and networking with fellow entrepreneurs.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $1,000,000: Habitat for Humanity Montgomery and Delaware Counties - Hatfield II
  • Description: To demolish a dorm building on the five-acre property and construct eighteen new twin homes specifically for low-moderate income families. The proposed homes are 2-story, 3-bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, roughly 1440 square feet in size. This project is congruent with the County development plan, specifically Goal #3, Expanding Homeownership - Creation of new affordable home ownership opportunities for households between 50% and 80% of the area median income. Home prices will not exceed 30% of the homeowner’s gross income and they must agree to completing 200 hours of sweat equity, the Almost Home course, and work with a financial coach for one year.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $500,000: Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region - Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Norristown Renovation & Expansion
  • Description: For much needed renovation & expansion of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI) office in Norristown, PA – serving Montgomery County and the greater Philadelphia region.  The project will:
    • enable acquisition of additional space, contiguous or in the same general vicinity
    • address building infrastructure needs for existing & newly acquired space (e.g., roof, exterior wall maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, water proofing, fire safety, signage)
    • enable interior redesign to better support families (e.g., outfit a space that is welcoming and conducive to family engagement, modernize technology)
  • This investment will enable BBBSI to create a Mentoring Hub in Montgomery County for these youth and families, enabling greater youth, family, and community engagement, and making it easier to expand and serve families in the outer reaches of Montgomery and surrounding counties. 
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $450,000: Community Hero Action Group - Community Hero Action Group's Community Health and Wellness Initiative
  • Description: For Community Hero Action Group's Black Health Matters initiative to address the community’s needs by strengthening education and awareness around health issues that disproportionately impact the African American community through information workshops and panels on issues including mental health, trauma-informed care, heart disease, tele-health, health advocacy, home health care, and engaging medical and wellness experts. Community Hero Action Group will also deliver health resources directly to the community by funding culturally competent community health workers who will provide personal support, education, and medical technology assistance to the community in their homes or at convenient, locally-situated neighborhood locations. And finally, they will develop a sustained pipeline of minority medical professionals by providing assistance to overcome financial barriers like costly exams and certifications.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $442,287: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office - Montgomery County Racial Justice Improvement Project (RJIP)
  • Description: Expand The Racial Justice Improvement Project's  diversion services for minority youth through two primary streams; (1) school districts with elevated rates of disproportionate minority contact (DMC), and (2) Magisterial District Courts.  Students and their families from districts with the highest rates of DMC; these areas will receive services through the project to provide an alternative to police referral for school-based offenses. The funding will also allow for additional case managers to be hired to assist students through the program, as well as commission a detailed analysis, review, and report of the program.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $332,275: Today is a Good Day - Montgomery County NICU Families Comprehensive Hospital Partnership
  • Description: to expand Today is a Good Day's work across all 5 NICUs within the 4th District, including salaries for NICU Family Advocates, a Spanish interpreter, the lease of a Today is a Good Day van to ensure service delivery to hospital partners and families, equipment, supplies, and marketing costs. Families experiencing the NICU face challenges that require the very specific personal and financial support. To meet these needs, Today is a Good Day brings its knowledge of this experience by providing the exact personal and financial support needed to help families through this experience. Today is a Good Day provides NICU care packages, direct financial support to cover transportation and other unexpected costs associated with a NICU stay and “Navigate the NICU Sessions” that offer support and connections to families who have previously experienced the NICU.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $300,000: Mitzvah Circle Foundation - Diaper Bank Program
  • Description: To assist residents throughout the entire 4th Congressional District by providing diapers, and other baby essentials as well as incontinence products for adults through our Diaper Bank Program. Mitzvah Circle will use these funds for administrative costs to run the program as well as purchases goods for their Diaper Bank program directly from the National Diaper Bank Network and other sources at a significant discount. They will work with staff and social workers from reputable referral agencies to deliver diapers and other non-perishable critical supplies directly to the doors of families and individuals in need.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $226,500: The Welcome Project PA - SAGA Community Center
  • Description: To expand programs for LGBT+ populations, including a LGBT+ Mental Health Program (subsidized individual and group therapy); LGBT+ Support Groups; a Healthcare Best Practices for Trans, Nonbinary & Intersex Patients Program; LGBT+ Competency Trainings; LGBT+ Arts Programming; our LGBT+ Library & Educational Events; & Youth Programs. This funding will also go to expand their Healthcare Best Practices Program which strives to improve access to healthcare for LGBT+ people via doctor training programs & materials development. Finally, their therapy program seeks to improve the mental health outcomes of LGBT+ communities, providing case management and assisting with wellness goals, as well as organizing youth groups for LGBT+ teens to reduce isolation and help to prevent suicide.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $220,416: Whitpain Township - Ambler Alley Storm Sewer Project
  • Description: to install storm sewer piping along Ambler Alley. The proposed storm sewer project will assist with alleviating existing drainage concerns along Ambler Alley which will benefit the community by capturing and providing proper drainage of stormwater runoff. In addition, as the Ambler Alley roadway is set to serve as a direct access road off the proposed Wissahickon Park property, making the roadway more structurally sound from a stormwater management perspective, which is both important and beneficial to the surrounding community.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

 

• $210,000: MossRehab-Albert Einstein Healthcare Network - MossRehab Institute for Brain Health
• Description: For the purchase of basic equipment needs for their new Institute for Brain Health, including a Vestibular Balance Master, BariHab Mat, and specialized transportation vehicles. This equipment will advance their facility's brain health services, specializing in former military personnel who have separated from active duty, and a focus on those who were separated with “Other Than Honorable” or “Dishonorable” discharge status due to TBI or Psychological Health (PH) conditions. It will also serve First Responders and retired professional athletes who have sustained mild to moderate TBI and are experiencing lingering neurological problems or co-morbid PH conditions.
• Financial Disclosure Letter 

• $100,000: Montgomery County Community College - Montco Early College Academy
  • Description: funding to sponsor three courses for 100 students at the discounted ECSO 1-credit tuition rate which equates to 350 credits. Additionally, as the pilot engages Title I eligible high school partners, MCCC estimates that approximately half of the students would require additional financial assistance to participate in the pilot. MCCC proposes additional funding for books and supplies, technology and Wi-fi, and essential needs to address food and/or home insecurity to ensure financial hardship does not create a barrier for students.
  • Financial Disclosure Letter 

Please note that these requests do not guarantee funding.
Final budgetary decisions are made by the Appropriations Committee.

Recipient / Project: Norristown Area High School / Norristown Area High School Library Transformation Project

• Address of the recipient: 401 North Whitehall Road Norristown, PA 19460

• Amount of the request: $200,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used for transforming Norristown Area High School (NAHS) library—which has not seen major updating since 1979—into innovative spaces that foster community, collaboration, and creation. This includes modernizing technological capabilities, furnishing a space that is welcoming and conducive to learning, increased periodical and educational software subscriptions, and creating after school enrichment programs.

• Community Benefit: The Norristown Area High School (NAHS) is a comprehensive public high school within the Norristown Area School District (NASD) established in 1870. NAHS educates a diverse population of over 2100 students annually across grades 9 - 12. 100% of current students are now eligible for the federal free/reduced lunch program based on the high district poverty level and over 50% of the low income housing in Montgomery is located in NAS district. This investment would help benefit some of the students in most need of quality learning spaces in our district. 

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

Recipient / Project: TriCounty Community Network / Support Our Own Project

• Address of the recipient: 724 N Adams St, Suite 203 Pottstown, PA19464.

• Amount of the request: $445,460.00

• Project Description and Purpose: TriCounty Community Network’s Support Our Own Project uses Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to improve health outcomes. The services they provide include screening and referring participants to local resources looking at factors such as housing, utilities, transportation, access to food, employment status, and safety. This funding would be used to expand staffing and community outreach in the 4th congressional district. 

• Community Benefit: This project will serve the following municipalities in the Fourth District: Pottstown Borough, West Pottsgrove Township, Upper Pottsgrove Township, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Collegeville Borough, Limerick Township, New Hanover Township, Perkiomen Township, Royersford Borough, Trappe Borough, Boyertown Borough, Colebrookdale Township, and Bechtelsville Borough. The SDOH impact up to 80% of an individual’s health outcomes and plays a large role in health inequities in our community. A coordinated and systematic approach to address the SDOH can not only improve the health outcomes of our community, but also improve food security, housing stability, community safety, access to transportation, unemployment rates, and the quality of life for our community members. Taxpayer dollars spent on this program are well spent as they benefit the community as a whole and will have a direct or indirect impact on each community member.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below
  
  

 

Recipient / Project: Holy Redeemer Hospital / Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) - Care without limit

• Address of the recipient: 1648 Moredon Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.

• Amount of the request: $238,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used for staff to expand the programs model of care that keeps families and babies with NAS together, while engaging, educating and treating Substance Abuse Disorder during the recovery process.  These professionals will assist us to expand our presence and outreach, codify a comprehensive evaluation tool for the screening of mothers, manage reporting guidelines and monitor and manage the continuum of care for families in the program. They will accomplish this through an integrated model of care using a trauma informed approach that is stigma and judgement free. They aim to reach women before they arrive for delivery. 

• Community Benefit: Holy Redeemer Hospital (HRH) serves patients from parts of Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties which collectively reported 454 cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) born at one of the 17 hospitals in those counties in 2018.  HRH has cared for an average of 40 babies with NAS and their mothers each year since 2013. The services will be aligned with community partnerships with the Department of Health, Montgomery and Bucks Counties Health and Human Services, the City of Philadelphia’s opioid addiction efforts and a broad range of private and public addiction programs.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

Recipient / Project: Hedwig House Inc. / Food Security and Social Isolation Prevention for Adults with Mental Illness

• Address of the recipient: 109 Jenkins Avenue, Lansdale, PA 19446, and 1920 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001

• Amount of the request: $270,300

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used for continuing its Food Security and Social Isolation Prevention for Adults with Mental Illness program with funding for staffing, communication and outreach efforts, technological costs, among other costs necessary to continue operating. This program serves some of our most vulnerable populations by making sure individuals and families have nutritious meals and food in their pantries.  Following government guidelines, staff delivers home cooked meals prepared by volunteers and donated food from local restaurants. We also deliver groceries and assist with shopping.  PREP Through Tech increases social interactions and provides opportunities for social interaction.

• Community Benefit: Hedwig House’s constituency are vulnerable adults living in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania who without us would likely fall through the cracks due to limited or no other supports. These services also help benefit the community as a whole by reducing other costs like avoiding homelessness, hospitalizations, incarceration, and more. 

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

 

Recipient / Project: JEVS Human Services / The Choice is Yours

• Address of the recipient: 1845 Walnut Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

• Amount of the request: $400,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used for a 13-month innovative diversion program for first-time, nonviolent felony drug sellers. The program is modeled on and adapted from Back on Track, a program developed in San Francisco, California by then District Attorney Kamala Harris. As an alternative-to-incarceration, TCY diverts participants away from jail into both 1) “TCY court” (a problem-solving court featuring a dedicated judge who monitors participant progress and motivates compliance); and 2) a suite of community-based social services and supports delivered by JEVS Human Services. TCY combines the best of what we know works to prevent individuals from becoming re-involved in criminal activity: educational and employment services; case management; mentoring; assistance with housing, child support, public benefits, and other key services; and participation in restorative justice activities including 220 hours of community service. The program has been operating in Philadelphia County, PA since 2012 with considerable success. This proposal will fund full replication in Montgomery County, PA to serve 40 participants annually.

• Community Benefit: This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because This program saves taxpayer money, reduces crime, produces life-long positive outcomes or participants, and is an efficacious model program of justice system reform.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

Recipient / Project: Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust / Boyertown Yard Downtown Safety, Accessibility, and Connectivity Critical Improvements

• Address of the recipient:100 South Chestnut Street, Boyertown, PA  19512

• Amount of the request: $1,350,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used to finish safety and mobility improvements to the Boyertown Yard, a critically-needed, community-identified and broadly-supported community and economic development project left in a dangerous and half-completed state because of the Pandemic. The project in its current state presents significant safety and mobility concerns and a missed opportunity for the region. Berks County received a National Association of Counties Award in 2020 for the federal/state/local private-public partnership driving the re-invention of this important space. 

• Community Benefit: This project is in Boyertown’s downtown where rail freight, recreational passenger trains, rail bikes, automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians all commingle. The location is the hub for North America’s 2nd-highest-rated tourist railroad, an $8M/year engine of economic growth.  The work proposed includes an off-street access route for tour buses and an off-street park-and-ride station for Pottstown Area Rapid Transit's potential expanded service to Berks County. It includes public restrooms, landscaping, and stormwater management. This project would promote the safety, livability, and economic attractiveness of the region for my constituents.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

Recipient / Project: Borough of Hatboro / Memorial Park ADA/Accessible Upgrade Project

• Address of the recipient: 414 S. York Road, Hatboro, PA, 19040.

• Amount of the request: $460,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The Borough will also be installing an ADA accessible Trail through this project. The ADA accessible trail will run from the parking lot in the Northwest side of Memorial Park to the bridge that connects both sides of Memorial Park. On the other side of the bridge, the trail will link directly into the accessible playground, allowing children with disabilities to easily access the playground. The trail will also extend further west and will connect to the Memorial Pool Parking Lot. This will provide visitors of the pool with easy access to the playground and vice versa. The Borough will also be installing an ADA accessible bridge that connects both sides of the trail in Memorial Park. The existing bridge in Memorial Park is not ADA accessible. While usable, the bridge is not wheelchair friendly which prevents those with disabilities from crossing the bridge and accessing either side of the park. By replacing the bridge with an ADA friendly bridge, we will be increasing the accessibility of the park by allowing those with disabilities to enjoy the park to its fullest capacity.

• Community Benefit: Making these improvements to Memorial Park will help Hatboro achieve its goal of becoming a fully accessible community that is friendly and inviting to everyone. The Borough of Hatboro approved a 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Parks & Rec Plan that outlies the goals for our parks. One of the major goals of the plan is to create a parks system friendly to all residents and visitors that coincides with Hatboro’s welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

 

Recipient / Project: Montgomery County Housing Authority /  High Priority Capital Needs

• Address of the recipient: 104 W. Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401

• Amount of the request: $7,700,000

• Project Description and Purpose: This funding will be used to support the critical and life safety needs across all its residential properties. Projects include installing a new fire alarm, replacing a leaking roof, fixing building-wide water infiltration, replacing obsolete furnaces, installing compactors and replacing a building-wide leaking plumbing system.

• Community Benefit: MCHA’s public housing stock is aging; its youngest property is 38 years old.  While MCHA has invested heavily, to date, in critical and life safety projects within its portfolio, the capital funds it receives from HUD are insufficient to meet all of the critical and life safety capital needs of the portfolio. Receiving these funds, allows the MCHA to continue its commitment to preserve the safety of the buildings for some of the 4th District’s most vulnerable.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below

Recipient / Project: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) / Schuylkill River Trail Safety Improvements at Norristown Transportation Center

• Address of the recipient: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

• Amount of the request: $336,000

• Project Description and Purpose: The funding would be used for various improvements to make the area where Norristown Transportation Center connects to the Schuylkill River Trail safer and more convenient for local residents, travelers on the trail, and SEPTA passengers.  Dynamic pavement painting will be refreshed, new caution reflectors and new flashing caution signs will be installed at three pedestrian crossings.  A light pole that stands in the middle of the bicycle path will be relocated to remove a potentially dangerous impediment to traffic flow and new caution reflectors will be added to additional light poles.  Caution wraps will be added to stair railings and the stair treads will be improved to benefit pedestrian safety. Finally, SEPTA will expand the trail right-of-way at certain choke points.

• Community Benefit: This project will benefit the residents of Norristown Borough and travelers in my district, whether on foot or bicycle, on the Schuylkill River Trail as well as passengers on the Norristown High Speed Line, Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail Line and eight suburban bus routes that serve the Norristown Transportation Center.  Norristown Borough residents are 37.2% African-American and 27.9% Hispanic.  19.3% of the borough’s population lives below the federal poverty line. This project will provide safety benefits and increase the utility and attractiveness of transportation assets that offer valuable connections for accessing employment, engaging in commerce, and pursuing leisure that will become more valuable in the coming years.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below
  
  

Recipient / Project: Greater Philadelphia YMCA / YMCA New Early Learning Center: Towards Child Care Equity

• Address of the recipient: 400 Fayette Street, Suite 250, Conshohocken, PA 19428

• Amount of the request: $300,000

• Project Description and Purpose: These funds will be used to build a new Early Learning Center (ELC) in Abington Township, Pennsylvania. The ELC will offer subsidized high-quality education to children from low-income families in Abington and adjacent areas. GPY will provide socioemotional learning and care for 60-85 kids daily and positively impact the local economy with the creation of an additional education hub and dozens of jobs in Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District.

• Community Benefit: As one of the nation’s largest child care provider serving more than 5000 children in 16 branches and 82 sites throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, GPY is uniquely positioned to leverage experts in the industry to deliver top quality programs. The building of a new Early Learning Center at 1073 Old York Road in Abington Township is timely and relevant as it directly addresses the inequity of access to child care services exposed during the pandemic. In the Abington area, roughly 45% of households earn less than $49,000 per year spending close to 20% of it with child care. Through GPY’s financial assistance program, many of those families will be able to register for an early learning program with affordable costs.

• Financial Disclosure: See Below