“Connections Work greatly appreciates that our Reentry Works program is being considered for Community Projects funding. Reentry Works is a comprehensive initiative that streamlines the process of service provision to those soon to be released from the county jail and to individuals with justice involvement living in the community. Reentry Works will serve as a centralized resource hub and provide a comprehensive case managed workforce development program. This coordinated system of support will increase the rate of stable employment of those served while decreasing the likelihood they become reinvolved in the justice system. We are very grateful for Representative Houlahan’s support of this project which will have long term positive impacts not only on the hundreds that will be served by Reentry Works but on the entire community as well,” said Peggy Kershner, Co-Executive Director, Connections Work. 

“On behalf of the residents of East Whiteland I want to thank Congresswoman Houlahan for her strong and continuing partnership in helping to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety along the most dangerous cross route section of Route 30. This federal investment would make crucial safety improvements which have long been a priority for the township. We could not ask for a stronger advocate than Congresswoman Houlahan and we are immensely grateful for her support,” said Scott Lambert, Board Chairman East Whiteland Township Supervisor. 

“The Goshen Fire Company is deeply honored to have our Fire/EMS Station Infrastructure Project selected as a community project in the Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District by Representative Houlahan and her staff. The Goshen Fire Company provides emergency services to 35,000 residents across 25 square miles in the Greater West Chester area, and these appropriations play a key role in supporting community-based emergency services.  If approved, this funding will provide our volunteers and staff with a healthy and safe workplace and enable the Fire Company to provide critical life-saving services to our community for years to come.  We are hopeful the Appropriations Committee will advance our project and are grateful for Representative Houlahan’s support,” said Fire Company President Ted Harrison. 

“The Kennett Square Police Department is incredibly grateful that Representative Houlahan has chosen our Force De-Escalation Initiative project to more forward for consideration of funding by the Appropriations Committee.  This investment in updated less lethal equipment will allow our department to significantly reduce the severity of Use-of-Force incidents, thereby ensuring our community members’ safety and well-being. Preserving life is paramount in our mission of service to the community,” said Police Chief William T. Holdsworth. 

“The Keystone Valley Fire Department & Keystone Valley Regional Fire District are extremely grateful for the efforts of Congresswoman Houlahan and her staff in securing funding for the replacement of our self-contained breathing apparatus. This funding relieves KVFD and the Fire District of the burden of self-financing this critical but very expensive piece of equipment.  With our new SCBA, we look forward to continuing to provide our volunteer fire and rescue services to the western Chester County communities that we serve,” said Brian Gathercole, KVFD Chief. 

“We can’t thank Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan enough for her support recognizing the need for this project to renovate our building, and we really wouldn’t have gotten this far without her. I want to extend our thanks to her and her team for their work getting us to this exciting step in the process,” said Frank Gunson, Vice President of Ludwigs Corner Fire Company. 

“New London Counseling Center is beyond grateful to be considered for the Community Impact funding, which will support renovating the second floor of our office, allowing us to address the growing demand for mental health care services in our community. This Facility Expansion Project will include the creation of additional counseling rooms, allowing our dedicated team of 15 licensed therapists to expand our programs and serve many more individuals in need of mental health care services. As part of our commitment to providing quality, compassionate care to all, regardless of financial circumstances, these enhancements will play a crucial role in meeting the rising mental health needs of our community,” said Dr. Katie Bowman, Executive Director of New London Counseling Center. 

“We are so appreciative of Representative Houlahan’s support of our workforce development training programs at Reading Area Community College. As a vital connector in the workforce pipeline, we prepare a significant number of first-generation, underrepresented students for careers in the region’s top industry sectors. In order to meet the tremendous need of industry in our region, we must significantly expand our footprint, equipment and programs. We are so grateful to Representative Houlahan for her continued support,” said Dr. Susan Looney, President, Reading Area Community College. 

"On behalf the Board of Supervisors and residents of Valley Township and our first responders, we thank Congresswoman Houlahan for her support of the Township’s Public Safety Project for new pre-emption equipment and a license plate reader for our Airport Road/West Lincoln Highway traffic light.  Our notification that this project is under consideration came a day after there was a fire at our local elementary school where several local fire companies and first responders traveled through this intersection responding to the call.  To once again have working pre-emption equipment will provide faster and safer response time through a busy intersection for our first responders. As a community, we are hopeful the Appropriations Committee will move this important project forward,” said Janis Rambo, Township Manager. 

"The Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and staff for their work on this grant project. This grant will give the Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company the ability to refill our life saving Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) immediately following an incident. This equipment will allow us to be ready to serve our residents and visitors in a more timely manner.   Previously we were forced to rely on outside resources to accomplish this task. This critical piece of equipment would not be possible without the assistance of this grant," said Todd Ziegler, Deputy Fire Chief of the Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company. 

“West Chester University (WCU) is deeply grateful to U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan for recognizing the need to prioritize affordable housing in our community and for advocating on the University’s behalf to secure critical funding for a much-needed project. Using the nationally recognized expertise of the University’s Department of Geography and Planning, the project, which is entitled ‘Research on Modeling Technology for Affordable Housing,’ involves using geospatial tools to address the disconnect between employment opportunities and the availability of affordable housing. The project is designed to create tools to visualize development opportunities with 3-D models. Ultimately, these tools will assist municipal officials to engage with their stakeholders to develop appropriate housing strategies. This transformative work will yield a significant impact on our community, which is an uncompromising priority for all of us,” said West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino. 

"The West Grove Borough Council, on behalf of the residents of our community, is honored to be selected as a community project by Representative Houlahan. The Memorial Park Soccer Field Project serves as the first step for upgrading our municipal parks, which act as essential public spaces for community members of all ages and backgrounds to gather for recreation, physical activity, mental and emotional health benefits, and community building. We are grateful for the opportunity to proceed to the Appropriations Committee, and hopeful they will see the strong public benefit of funding this project. Thank you to Representative Houlahan and her team for their ongoing efforts to serve and improve our District!" said Kristin Proto on behalf of the West Grove Borough Council. 

“Barclay Friends is a non-profit senior living community in West Chester dedicated to the care and support of older adults. Founded in 1893 as a Quaker boarding home, we have been part of the West Chester community for over 130 years. Our mission is to provide a continuum of services to older adults, with a focus on compassion and kindness, excellence, and continuous improvement,” wrote Philanthropy Director Glenn Barnhill in their application. Their project would establish 24 “personal care/memory care apartments...increasing the number of available memory care apartments in the community, thus better meeting the current and expected future needs of the community.” 

For the full description of each project, visit Houlahan’s website here. 

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress. 

###