$78K in State Grants Will Aid Seniors and Housing

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the office of state Rep. Joe Ciresi.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., has announced that Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits have been approved by the Department of Community and Economic Development for two projects in the district.

Genesis Housing Corp. in Pottstown was approved for $75,000, Family Services of Montgomery County in Lower Pottsgrove Township was approved for $3,750.

This year’s Genesis projects will focus on neighborhood revitalization using partnerships to build a new affordable single-family home, exterior renovations for affordable rental units, homeowner rehab and facade improvements. All projects are designed to increase financial literacy and promote healthy communities.

GHC has partnered with Pottstown Community Action, Habitat for Humanity, Mosaic Community Land Trust and Hobart’s Run to support revitalization efforts to improve safety, housing and commercial development.

Family Services’ project Helping Elderly Adults Remain in Their Homes (HEARTH) assists low-income, elderly seniors age 60 or older who live in Montgomery County and are at risk of institutionalization.

HEARTH has two major components: mental health counseling and volunteer supportive services. HEARTH also includes telephone reassurance phone calls up to five times a week to isolated seniors for emotional support and well-being checks.

“Between the housing needs of Pottstown and our senior citizen needs in Lower Pottsgrove, this is a big win for our communities,” Ciresi said. “This funding will help families in our community, alleviate blighted properties and help low-income seniors.

“The improvements also will help relieve the stress that these groups of people are under. With many of our seniors facing medical expenses, fixed incomes and even poverty, financial struggles create a perfect storm for depression and other mental health issues," Ciresi said. "These funds mean that we can have our seniors’ backs and put our community on the right track.”

Neighborhood Project Helps With YWCA Spruce-Up

A new sign and fresh paint at the YWCA Tri-County Area location at 315 King St.

A new sign and fresh paint at 300 King St.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA Tri-County Area.

Thanks to the Pottstown Neighborhood Project and Genesis Housing Corporation, YWCA Tri-County Area’s buildings on King Street in Pottstown have bright new signs and fresh exterior paint.

The Pottstown Neighborhood Project provided grants for facade improvements including signs and exterior painting. 

In conjunction with BB and T and WSFS banks, Genesis Housing Corporation designed this program to improve the exterior appearance of selected small businesses.

YWCA Tri-County Area hung a brighter, larger sign on its flagship location at 315 King Street, home to YW programming since 1913; the sign was designed by This and That Designs of Stowe. 

YW’s location at 300 King Street, at the corner of North Charlotte Street, received fresh exterior paint and a large, full-color sign hung above the building’s corner door, designed by FASTSIGNS of Pottstown.

YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW3CA is a leader in advocacy for women and girls, works to eliminate racism, and empowers women through quality affordable childcare, adult literacy, and a host of programs to support the health and vitality of women, girls, and families.

National Night Out Set for Aug. 1 at Pocket Park

The event will again be held at the neighborhood park Washington and Chestnut streets.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Genesis Housing Corp.

Genesis Housing Corporation and the Victory Christian Life Center are pleased to announce that the annual National Night Out Community Block Party will be held on the first Tuesday in August, Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chestnut Street Park located on Washington and Chestnut Streets, in Pottstown.

The event will promote neighborhood spirit, community partnership, law enforcement and residents for a safer Pottstown at a free community block party filled with family fun, music, games, info and food. Come out and meet your neighbors at the Chestnut Street Park. (Rain or Shine). 

The event kicks off with DJ dance music and great community information. There will be free food – hot dogs, hamburgers, nacho chips, water ice, soft drinks and more. The Phillies Fire Company is bringing a fire truck and will be providing a water spray demo.

Be a part of Pottstown’s National Night Out to learn about businesses and non-profit agencies in the area. This year’s participating groups include Art Fusion, BB&T, Genesis Housing, Grace Lutheran Church, Habitat Montco, Harris Family, Hobart’s Run, Pottstown Human Relations, Maternal and Child Health of Chester County, Maternity Care Coalition: Early Head Start, Matt Green - Glocker Realty, Mosaic Community Land Trust, Pottstown Cluster, Victory Christian Life Center, Women’s Center and YWCA Tri-County.

The National Night Out Community Block Party is funded, in part, by BB&T Bank and the Pottstown Neighborhood Partnership. 

More information is available by calling Victory Christian Life Center at 484-941-0693 or Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275-4357.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served Montgomery County as a community housing development organization (CHDO) and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization and the education of consumers on housing and financial issues.

For more information about Genesis Housing Corporation, our programs and housing counseling classes, please visit our website at www.genesishousing.org, email at info@genesishousing.org, visit us on Facebook or call 610-275-4357.

11 Goups Join Habitat for Humanity to Rock the Block on Friday, April 15 From 9 to 2

Photo by Evan Brandt

This home in the 400 block of Walnut Street will be among several which will be the focus of the Rock the Block effort on April 15.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Habitat for Humanity

Eleven community organizations will join forces to begin the makeover of a Pottstown neighborhood in a show of unity that is exciting Borough officials and residents.

On April Friday, 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., more than 150 volunteers will pitch in to clean, paint, repair and beautify the exteriors on the 300 and 400 blocks of Beech, Chestnut, and Walnut Streets. 

It’s called Rock the Block, an initiative of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, and it’s the kick off of a Neighborhood Revitalization Program modeled after Habitat’s successful work in Norristown.

“Habitat recognizes the ongoing struggle in Pottstown. By building a coalition of community groups, we can develop a plan and programs together to lift the community up for years to come. Rock the Block® is just the start, and it will be a fantastic day that proves what Pottstown can accomplish when people work collaboratively,” said Marianne Lynch, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County.

For more than six hours, volunteer teams will complete deck and stair repairs, landscaping, spruce up efforts, and more in conjunction with Pottstown CARES community cleanup day, a partnership of the Hill School, the Borough, the Pottstown School District and Montgomery County Community College. 

Rock the Block enlists the Pottstown CARES organizations along with Genesis Housing Corporation, Glocker and Company Realtors, New Eden Community Development Corporation, Mosaic Community Land Trust, Phillies Fire Company, Pottstown Fire Department and Victory Christian Life Center.

“This is the first time that I’ve seen so many different community groups joining forces to improve the community,” said Sheryl Miller, Pottstown Borough Council Vice President. “Having Habitat, a nationally-recognized organization, come in and provide support is an important signal. Pottstown is a great town with lots of potential. We need to lift ourselves up from within, just like the families that Habitat supports. Their Neighborhood Revitalization program can make this happen.” 

Neighborhood Revitalization programs spur the community

Neighborhood Revitalization works at the grassroots level — with people in the community determining the goals. It responds to community aspirations by taking a holistic look at needs, and empowering residents and community partners to help neighborhoods grow and thrive. Collaboration with residents, government officials, the faith community, community non-profits, and others is key to its success.

It starts by repairing the physical, helping mend critical exterior and interior issues with homes through the Critical Home Repair program or by addressing similar challenges of a smaller scale with A Brush with Kindness Home Preservation program.

“We’ve been working in Norristown’s Cherry Street neighborhood for two years. There, we’re addressing concerns such as blight, repairing and preserving homes, creating a neighborhood association, tackling crime, helping children have a safe place to go after school, and more. We’re very excited to bring this approach to Pottstown and begin to address the Borough’s ongoing struggles,” explained Lynch.

In Norristown, Habitat volunteers have rehabilitated 22 homes, helped Habitat complete 13 critical home repairs, painted 72 stoops, and repaired and maintain Cherry Street Park.

Planning in Pottstown

After forming the collaboration for Rock the Block, Habitat hosted a community meeting in February where residents identified neighborhood priorities and concerns such as safety, crime, and beautification. What’s next?

Habitat will be surveying Pottstown to inventory conditions while finishing the rehabilitation of 430 Walnut Street—a Habitat home. It is also planning ten critical home repairs, twenty Brushes with Kindness – and acquiring another property to refresh in the zone.

About Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County’s mission is to eliminate substandard housing. In partnership with caring individuals and organizations, Habitat constructs simple, decent affordable homes and empowers hardworking, low-income families to become homeowners by providing no-interest mortgages. Habitat also completes critical home repairs, provides financial literacy and life skills classes, and is revitalizing neighborhoods.

For more information, call 610-278-7710, email ebowers@habitatmontco.org, or visit www.habitatmontco.org.