Lehigh Times

Kids Peace Athlete Center School issued the following announcement on Dec. 6.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, State Senator Pat Browne and State Representative Gary Day have secured a grant of more than $1.9 million from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to support infrastructure improvements on the KidsPeace Orchard Hills Campus in Orefield, PA. 

“This is great news for our organization, but even more so for the kids who are served through KidsPeace programming at the Orchard Hills facilities,” said Michael W. Slack, President and CEO.  “This funding will help us continue to fulfill our mission of bringing Hope, Help and Healing to children and families who benefit from our crisis intervention and residential treatment services – services that are in increasing demand as our society recognizes the need to care for our kids’ mental wellbeing along with their physical health.”

“On behalf of KidsPeace, I want to thank Governor Wolf, Senator Browne and Representative Day for their efforts to support our kids,” Slack said.

The RACP grant, totaling $1,918,487, will be used on safety and maintenance projects at the Orefield location. 

“Every day, the services that KidsPeace provide make a real impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable population,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne said. “I am proud to work with Rep. Day to help ensure that the staff at KidsPeace have the resources necessary to undertake their critical mission in making a difference in the lives of our children and young adults.” 

In 2020, programs at the campus provided mental and behavioral health services to nearly 2,000 individuals.

“KidsPeace helps kids and their families with healing and thriving through the most challenging times in their lives.  I’m glad KidsPeace is there to address some of Pennsylvania’s most challenging situations for families and our communities,” said Representative Gary Day, in whose House district the campus is located. 

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Commonwealth grant program 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 activity.

Original source can be found here.