ALLENTOWN, PA - January 23, 2019: The Rider-Pool Foundation of Allentown recently awarded $376,000 in funding. This total represents major proactive investments as well as on-going support for programs throughout the Lehigh Valley with a focus on addressing and improving quality of life for residents through education, housing, culture, arts and human services.
The Rider-Pool Foundation awarded six proactive awards in this cycle. A $105,000 grant was awarded to Ripple Community Inc. to accelerate the development of RCI Village, a community-supported permanent rental housing initiative for very low-income, formerly homeless, and socially disadvantaged residents of Allentown. RCI Village will provide services associated with housing stability including a community engagement center, financial literacy, substance abuse support, childcare, and employment training.
A grant of $100,000 was awarded to Promise Neighborhood of the Lehigh Valley (PNLV). The resources will support strategic planning and programmatic operations.
A grant of $45,000 was awarded to Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Inc. in support of the post-merger strategy of the former Lehigh County and Northampton County affiliates. The funding will be invested in board and staff development, a needs assessment of current and potential clients, and creation of a mission and vision statement within a new strategic plan.
A grant of $25,000 was awarded to the Kamran Afshar Data Analytics Center at DeSales University to create a scientific performance measurement model within the Allentown School District. The grant is directed to calculate and compare student performance and relevant cost factors within the district and report findings at the four-year mark of Building 21 Allentown activity.
A grant of $20,000 was awarded to Wildlands Conservancy in support of an official name change of the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary to The Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. The new name reflects the intent of Leonard Parker Pool’s will. Mr. Pool bequeathed his 72-acre Emmaus estate to the Conservancy in 1975. Funds will allow updating of all signage, communications, and brand identification of the Sanctuary.
A grant of $5,000 was awarded to support Kolbe Academy, a new high school for students in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction that will open in August of 2019. The grant serves as developmental funds for the initiative.
Each of these grants represents purposeful action by The Rider-Pool Foundation to make investments at crucial timing. “These organizations are launching and re-launching important programs,” said Edward F. Meehan, MPH, Executive Director of The Rider-Pool Foundation. “Our support, then, can offer the stability and grounding to ensure progress. We recognize that each program is in line with our focus on the quality of life and in our local community.”
In addition, 16 awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 were awarded to the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, Allentown Rescue Mission, Inc., The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, The Baum School of Art, Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., Community Bike Works, Da Vinci Science Center, Lehigh Conference of Churches, Lehigh County Conservation District, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc., Northeast Ministry, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Safe Harbor of Easton, Inc., ShareCare Faith in Action, Stephen’s Place, and YWCA of Bethlehem.
The Rider-Pool Foundation’s intent is to serve as a means to improve the quality of life in the community, to build on the community’s strengths and add to its vitality, and to increase the capacity of the community to serve the needs of all its citizens. The Trustees of The Foundation have carried forth Dorothy Rider Pool’s wishes and are particularly sensitive to her interests in education, disadvantaged children, and the development of future leadership in our society.