The City of Scranton awarded a total of $25,000 in community center grants to two organizations on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Grants were awarded using funds from the City’s 2024 operating budget.
“From providing a place to host celebrations and public meetings to developing new and needed spaces for children to safely explore their interests, our community centers are rising to meet our City’s needs,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said at the West Scranton Youth Center, 1621 Washburn St., Scranton. “We’re thankful to our grant recipients for their work to create and maintain these vital community assets.”
The City accepted community center grant applications from March 21 to April 22. After an internal review, two groups received funds. The West Scranton Youth Center was awarded $15,000 to further develop a new facility in West Scranton, and the Tripp Park Community Center, 2000 Dorothy St., Scranton, was awarded $10,000 for maintenance and exterior improvements.
The West Scranton Youth Center aims to “provide a diverse range of athletic, arts, and educational programs to at-risk youth in our community free of charge,” according to the grant application from the West Scranton Wrestling Alumni Association. Formed in 2021, the group plans to offer programming in the newly renovated 4,500-square-foot center in the summer of 2024. The Wrestling Alumni Association will manage the athletic programs, and the Youth Arts Coalition will lead the arts programs. The center will collaborate with the University of Scranton on educational programs. Funds will offset the costs of kitchen appliances, art room tables, athletic equipment, and more.
“It is inspiring and humbling to witness the level of dedication and collaboration demonstrated by our board, alumni, elected officials, foundations, sponsors, the Youth Arts Coalition, and the University of Scranton working together to impact the lives of our youth positively,” said Doug Boyle, board president of the West Scranton Wrestling Alumni Association. “We thank Mayor Cognetti and the City for awarding this impactful grant to help equip our athletic and arts programs – much more to come!”
The Tripp Park Community Center is a longstanding community asset that serves Scranton well beyond its Tripp Park section. Funds will be used to improve the exterior of the building through new paint and landscaping and to provide needed maintenance inside the center.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov.
Scranton Awards $25,000 in Community Center Grants | Press Release
Last modified: July 1, 2024
