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(Apr 16, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

April 16 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El: Nearly $500K to expand Lancaster’s Bench Mark Program

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, April 15 –The Bench Mark Program will receive $499,000 in grant funding to expand its after-school mentoring program for high-risk youth in Lancaster City, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El announced today. The competitive grants, approved today by the School Safety and Security Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is part of more than $64 million awarded to organizations across the state. The Bench Mark Program’s “Back to School” initiative uses mentoring to stop high-risk adolescents in Lancaster from slipping from chronic absenteeism into school disengagement, juvenile justice involvement, and community violence. The project targets approximately 180 students each year, ages 13-18, who are truant or trending toward chronic absenteeism and are referred by McCaskey High School or Magisterial District Court at the early stages of school withdrawal. “More of Lancaster City’s vulnerable youth will be able to benefit from Bench Mark Program’s holistic mentorship program thanks to this funding,” said Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster. “Kids need to know someone has their backs and is there to help them build the skills they need to handle life’s challenges. Bench Mark’s team of dedicated mentors have repeatedly proven that they’ve been there for our kids since 2014. “I am grateful to the PCCD for recognizing and supporting Bench Mark’s Read more

 

Transportation, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agency, ports (rail/freight) Use: The MTF provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation exists in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to provide financial assistance in order to improve public transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: Requests must have a total eligible cost of $100,000 or more and no request shall exceed $3,000,000 for any project. Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes, and PA Preferred Organic Marketing Grant Program Who May Apply: Grants may be awarded to PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes, or PA Preferred Organic licensees Use: Offsetting the cost of designing or redesigning product labels to include the PA Preferred logo, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes logo or PA Preferred Organic logo or Enhancing farmers’ market displays with the PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes or PA Preferred Organic logos Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in funding, with no grant to exceed $10,000 Application Deadline: Read more

 

Lancaster legislators to host record-clearing information session for justice-involved residents

(Apr 13, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, April 13 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, will host a record-clearing information session to help justice-involved residents better understand Pennsylvania’s expungement, pardon, and record-sealing laws from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 at Lancaster Public Library, 151 N. Queen St. “Minor criminal convictions from years past have kept many people from getting jobs, pursuing an education or finding housing, creating a permanent underclass in Pennsylvania,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Our information session will help break this cycle by educating people on the steps they can take to clear their records and start fresh.” The representatives cited a 2020 Brennan Center study that analyzed the long-term negative impact of convictions on average wages, which ranged from a 16.0% reduction in wages for a misdemeanor conviction, to 21.7% for a felony conviction without imprisonment to 51.7% loss in wages for imprisonment. Overall, the study found that $55.2 billion per year annually is lost in earnings by formerly imprisoned Americans. “It’s not just the individuals who are impacted by lost wages and reduced opportunities, but their families and communities,” the representatives said. “We hope that by helping justice-involved residents clear their records, we can reduce the impact of criminal convictions on society and help uplift Read more

 

Community and Economic Development, Transportation Safety, Fresh Food and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 31, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Business in Our Sites Who May Apply: Municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities, private developers (construction loans only) Use: The acquisition and development of key sites for future use by businesses, private developers, and others Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 More information: CFA Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program.) Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount is $72 million. Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Read more

 

Legislative update from Harrisburg!

(Mar 27, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

March 27 Read more

 

Advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El, Neilson’s Legionnaires’ disease legislation

(Mar 25, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, March 25 – Patient advocates, disease experts, and water management officials joined state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Ed Neilson, D-Phila., at a news conference Monday at the Capitol in support of the legislators’ H.B. 2085, which is aimed at stopping the spread of a severe type of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease, that is on the rise in Pennsylvania. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which are found in freshwater, including water that supplies public water systems. Disease symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhea. Smokers, the elderly, those with asthma, and those with chronic lung disease or suppressed immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the disease. “Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of Legionnaires’ infection and illness in the country, with case rates increasing over 65% over a five-year period and claiming 10% of the lives of those infected, according to the CDC,” Smith-Wade-El said. “It’s time for Pennsylvania to step up to protect its residents’ water sources, so we’ve introduced legislation that would require government agencies, public water systems and some building owners to maintain new minimum standards to better prevent, detect, and control cases of Legionnaires’ disease.” At the press conference, Neilson spoke about his personal experience contracting the disease and Gwen Read more

 

Lancaster County legislators announce state funding to combat sexual violence on college campuses

(Mar 18, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, March 18 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today highlighted new “It’s On Us PA” funding awarded to combat sexual violence and support survivors on college campuses in their districts. Millersville University in Smith-Wade-El’s district received $40,000 and Franklin and Marshall College in Rivera’s district received $21,795. “Sexual violence is a human rights abuse , a form of discrimination, and a manifestation of unequal power,” Smith-Wade-El and Rivera said. “The ‘It’s On Us’ program plays a critical role in making Pennsylvania a more equal commonwealth by raising awareness among students about consent as a basic human right and providing healing support to survivors. This money helps to ensure that the ‘It’s On Us’ program will continue to help make our higher educational learning environments safe spaces for everyone.” The Shapiro administration awarded more than $1.7 million in this round of funding to 43 institutions statewide. Since 2023, nearly $5 million has been invested in “It’s On Us PA” initiatives focused on education, prevention, and survivor support. The “It’s On Us PA” program builds on a national initiative launched to raise awareness about sexual assault, promote consent education, and encourage bystander intervention. The state-level campaign brings together Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El Hosts Social Work Town Hall at Millersville University

(Mar 06, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

MILLERSVILLE, March 6 – In celebration of National Social Work Month and in recognition of the vital role played by social workers in responding to growing community needs and evolving challenges, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El hosted a town hall in collaboration with the Millersville University School of Social Work Thursday evening. Dr. Laura Granruth introduced the representative and moderated questions from both in-person and virtual attendees. Topics under discussion included the qualifications for being an elected official; key housing bills currently under review in the state legislature; and the coming “Silver Tsunami” or Pennsylvania’s rapidly aging elder population – many of whom hold grave concerns about the availability of high-quality senior care and living facilities. The conversation highlighted how policy, academic research and on-the-ground social work intersect to address these complex issues. Following the panel, participants had the opportunity to engage directly with Smith-Wade-El, his district office staff and university professors, discussing key challenges and developments in social work from both legislative and academic perspectives. “Events like this are vital for fostering dialogue between policymakers, educators and the community,” Smith-Wade-El said. “By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can better understand the challenges facing social Read more

 

Help Us Raise the Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania

(Mar 05, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

You have a voice in this fight, and together we can help move Pennsylvania forward.My colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus and I are asking residents across the commonwealth to sign our petition calling for an increase to Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. If you believe that hard work should be rewarded with fair pay, I encourage you to make your voice heard.Add your name to the petition here.Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009, even as the cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and other essentials continues to rise. We can build more housing and work to lower utility costs, but that won’t be enough for millions of Pennsylvanians if wages don’t keep up with the cost of living. People shouldn’t have to work three or four jobs just to keep a roof over their heads.When wages remain this low, the state often ends up paying the difference. In fact, Pennsylvania spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year supporting working families through public assistance programs like Medicaid because wages haven’t kept pace with reality.That’s why we strongly support Governor Josh Shapiro’s call to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and tie it to inflation, so workers aren’t left behind as costs continue to rise. The House has already passed legislation to raise the minimum wage twice, only to see those bills stall in the Senate.Meanwhile, we’re losing businesses and talented workers to neighboring states that already offer higher wages. It’s long past... Read more

 

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 04, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Automated School Bus Enforcement Grant Program Who May Apply: School entities, independent school bus contractors, and municipal governments Use: To cover costs associated with the issuance of CDL licenses to operate school buses within the Commonwealth or to increase school bus safety, education, and training Funds: The total amount of funding available is $1.2 million. Grants can be awarded up to $100,000 per applicant Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate engagement in market research, product development or promotion of agricultural products grown, raised or produced in the Commonwealth Use: To provide matching funds to nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, development or promotion of agricultural products Funds: Up to $381,810.50 is available for grants under the Program Application Deadline: April 10, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities Use: To develop and implement recycling programs Funds: Grants are available up to $250,000. Application Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera announce job fair, record-clearing session

(Mar 03, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, March 3 – Building on their commitment to expanding opportunity for justice--involved residents, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced two upcoming community events to connect Lancaster County residents with fair-chance employers and provide guidance on record-clearing processes. The first event, a Community Job Event , will take place Tuesday, March 24, at the Lancaster Public Library. The job fair will bring together local employers and support organizations committed to second-chance hiring, creating a welcoming space for individuals seeking employment despite prior court involvement. In addition to job opportunities, attendees will be able to connect with community partners offering resources to support long-term career success. Date: Tuesday, March 24 Time: 2 to 6 p.m. Location: Lancaster Public Library, 151 N. Queen St. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their lives,” Smith-Wade-El said. “By connecting people to employers who recognize the value of second chances, we can help strengthen families and our community.” Rivera emphasized the importance of accessibility and awareness: “This event demonstrates our shared commitment to breaking down barriers and expanding economic opportunities for all residents of Lancaster. We want to ensure that justice-involved Read more

 

Office Closures Next Week

(Feb 28, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

read izzy's e-newsletter Read more

 

Violence Prevention, Recreation Facilities, Mental Health, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Feb 24, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding Round 1 (Southeastern Region) Who May Apply: Contractors installing a publicly available community charger Use: To plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain charging stations across Pennsylvania. Subsequent rounds for other regions will be announced at later dates. Funds: Applicants may apply for up to 80 percent federal cost share of the eligible costs, with a minimum required match of 20 percent from non-federal sources. The maximum award size per selected Project is $1 million Application Deadline: August 21, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence & Delinquency Prevention Programs Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to local units of government (counties, municipalities), nonprofit organizations, private providers offering services to system-involved youth, and institutions of higher education. Use: To strengthen community-based strategies that prevent youth violence, delinquency, and other problem behaviors, expand diversion and deflection opportunities, and support successful reentry in accordance with Balanced and Restorative Justice guiding principles. Funds: A total of $5 million in state VDPP funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund a minimum of 20 grants with budgets not to exceed Read more

 

Government Programs & Grants

(Feb 20, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Government Programs and Grants Read more

 

Opportunities

(Feb 20, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Welcome to the Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library! The Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library are looking for instructors and tool library volunteers who want to share their time and skills with the community. Interested? Go here: Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library Become a Red Cross Volunteer Help your neighbors as a Red Cross volunteer supporting blood drives, assisting during disasters, and promoting safety in your local community. Volunteering lets you directly help those in need, while building strength in your community. Learn more and apply for opportunities by visiting the link . https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/greater-pennsylvania/volunteer.html Read more

 

Upcoming Events

(Feb 20, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Upcoming Events Read more

 

Government Programs & Grants

(Feb 13, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Feb. 13 Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El celebrates release of Pa.’s first comprehensive housing plan

(Feb 13, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Feb. 13 – A longtime advocate for housing rights of Pennsylvanians, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, issued the following statement about the release of Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the commonwealth’s housing crisis. "Housing is a human right and a matter of justice, and the Shapiro administration’s housing action plan will help working Pennsylvanians achieve the American dream — a home of their own — by building more housing and cutting red tape to make housing more affordable. “The Housing Action Plan strongly supports renters’ rights, and I am grateful that it includes my legislative plan to seal eviction records for people who were not actually evicted. This step will ensure fair housing access for many and protect whole communities in Pennsylvania. “I am also glad that the Housing Action Plan addresses the legacies of racism in homeownership in Pennsylvania that is the primary driver for the racial wealth divide. While White homeownership was 72% in 2023 nationally, the homeownership rate for people of color was 45% . As homeownership is the biggest key to wealth accumulation , the Housing Action Plan to close the equity gap for minority homeownership by 25% will in turn also reduce the racial wealth divide in Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania’s families deserve access to safe and affordable housing, and this Housing Action Plan Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to Hold two Student Town Halls at Local Elementary Schools

(Feb 11, 2026) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Feb. 11 – A strong advocate for civic education, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said he believes teaching civics equips youth to become informed and engaged members of a democratic society. He will host two student civic town halls in Lancaster this February. The first town hall will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 in the cafeteria of Washington Elementary School, 545 S. Ann St. Smith-Wade-El will be joined by Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo and School District of Lancaster Board Vice President Katrina Holmes. The second town hall will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 at Smith-Wade-El Elementary School, 910 Hamilton Park Drive. Smith-Wade-El will be joined by School District of Lancaster Board President Jennifer Eaton. These events will give students the chance to learn about state government, share their ideas for improving their communities, and participate in a Q&A session with Smith-Wade-El. “A truly democratic society relies on an informed and engaged citizenry, and civic education must begin early,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As we approach the United States’ 250th birthday and reflect on Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in its founding, now is the perfect time to teach our students about their rights and responsibilities as American citizens.” The town halls follow Smith-Wade-El's recent participation in Hamilton Elementary School's Celebration Assembly on Wednesday, Read more

 

Upcoming Events
Apr 16, 2026

Smith-Wade-El: Nearly $500K to expand Lancaster’s Bench Mark Program
Apr 15, 2026

Transportation, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 15, 2026

Lancaster legislators to host record-clearing information session for justice-involved residents
Apr 13, 2026

Community and Economic Development, Transportation Safety, Fresh Food and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 31, 2026

Legislative update from Harrisburg!
Mar 27, 2026

Advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El, Neilson’s Legionnaires’ disease legislation
Mar 25, 2026

Lancaster County legislators announce state funding to combat sexual violence on college campuses
Mar 18, 2026

Smith-Wade-El Hosts Social Work Town Hall at Millersville University
Mar 06, 2026

Help Us Raise the Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania
Mar 05, 2026

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 04, 2026

Smith-Wade-El, Rivera announce job fair, record-clearing session
Mar 03, 2026

Office Closures Next Week
Feb 28, 2026

Violence Prevention, Recreation Facilities, Mental Health, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Feb 24, 2026

Government Programs & Grants
Feb 20, 2026

Opportunities
Feb 20, 2026

Upcoming Events
Feb 20, 2026

Government Programs & Grants
Feb 13, 2026

Smith-Wade-El celebrates release of Pa.’s first comprehensive housing plan
Feb 13, 2026

Smith-Wade-El to Hold two Student Town Halls at Local Elementary Schools
Feb 11, 2026