The Salvation Army New Kensington Worship and Service Center Receives $250K Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation
PITTSBURGH (June 8, 2022) – The Salvation Army New Kensington Worship and Service Center has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. This grant will support The Salvation Army’s Bridging the Gap diversion programming for youth.
“We are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for supporting our mission and continuing to invest in the future of New Kensington,” said Major Scott Flanders of The Salvation Army New Kensington Worship and Service Center. “There are currently no other comparable programs in the Greater New Kensington area. It is a blessing to be able to have a positive impact on the next generation.”
Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a 12-week life skills program for at-risk and high-risk youth ages 12-17 years who have committed their first non-violent offense. The goal of the program is to decrease delinquent re-offenses, improve academic achievement, reduce absenteeism and enrich the lives of each young participant.
“The Foundation is working extensively to create greater economic opportunity in New Kensington, particularly through our work with Penn State New Kensington on its exciting Digital Foundry,” said Foundation Director Sam Reiman. “The program from The Salvation Army is an important complement to those efforts, as it seeks to help young people to be in a position to take advantage of those new economic opportunities.”
Program topics include communication, money management, education, rights and responsibilities, employment, culture and diversity, relationships, conflict resolution and health. BTG had to be temporarily put on hold due to the pandemic, but The Salvation Army will be operating once again this fall. Visit wpa.salvationarmy.org for more information.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 132 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, visit wpa.salvationarmy.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation seeks to improve the competitive position and strengthen the vitality of southwestern Pennsylvania, particularly the City of Pittsburgh and its neighborhoods; and protect critical ecosystems as well as green and natural infrastructure, particularly in western Pennsylvania.
Contact:
Nicole Harrell, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division
Email | Office: (412) 446-1642 | Cell: (757) 619-6984