HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., announced an additional $6 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants for projects in the 198 th Legislative District. “Bringing state dollars back to the district and all that entails for residents here is very important to me in my work as a state legislator,” Parker said. “These projects have an impact on the district, the region and can even impact the state.” The funding is provided from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program which is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. The following projects have been awarded: $5 million - Leading the Way III, Associated Alumni of Central High School: For the creation of the Performing Arts Center and campus improvements to help provide dedicated classrooms, practice and performance spaces for students. $1 million - Weavers Way Germantown Development: To restore the building at 328 W. Chelten Ave., including a renovated facade with new storefront windows and an easy access vestibule; a new roof, plumbing, fire and mechanical systems; upgraded and efficient electric and lighting; and improved parking and landscaping. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 27 – State grants totaling nearly $12 million will fund local projects in the 198 th Legislative District , according to state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. “The importance of this kind of state support cannot be overstated,” Parker said. “These are large-scale projects that are important parts of our communities and our region, our culture and our daily lives. State government support is a critical part of their success and something that I take very seriously.” The funding is provided from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, or RACP, and is a grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. The following projects have been awarded: $1.25 million to 5616 North Broad Street Associates to stabilize the remaining building structure at 5616-20 N. Broad St. along the North Broad commercial corridor. The building will require a full structural renovation, roof system and other projects. $500,000 for the Allegheny West Foundation 22 nd Street Commercial and Community Development II Project for a new recreation center that will provide more space for programs, classrooms, a computer lab, multimedia room, recording studio, commercial kitchen, a new indoor half basketball court and space for middle school programs. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: PA Industry Partnership Grant (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, educational and post-secondary educational organizations, labor organizations, business associations, and economic development entities. Use : To identify workforce, education & training, and economic development needs, coordinate regional teams to support industry needs, identify public and community resources to address industry identified needs and increase collaboration among businesses within a targeted industry sector. Funds : Up to $250,000 per partnership. Application Deadline : October 28, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program (Funding Source: Nonprofit Security Grant Fund) Who May Apply : Non-profit organizations. Use : To support security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization. Funds : Awards between $5,000 and $150,000. Application Deadline : October 31, 2022 More Information : Click on Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker encourages everyone to make their voice heard on Election Day, and to make a plan to vote today. Read more
What's at stake? Every vote matters. Make sure you are registered to vote this November. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined colleagues to celebrate a $4,000,000 investment in cleanliness, safety, and economic development for Philadelphia's Broad & Olney District. Read more
“The ages of grandparents and the role of grandparents have changed, and I wanted to know how you get older adults to come forward to say they are raising their grandchildren and they need help,” said state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. Read more
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Regional Policing Assistance Program Who May Apply: Applicants for the Regional Policing Assistance Program may be any municipality – a city, borough, township, home-rule municipality, or county. Applicants may also be a public or quasi-public body, or its representative, duly authorized to act on behalf of one or more municipalities. All applications must be accompanied by fully executed Articles of Agreement or an Intergovernmental Agreement that establishes a Regional Police Department. Use: Funding will support efforts in establishing or expanding regional police departments that would improve the following: uniformity and consistency of enforcement across municipalities; recruitment; distribution and deployment of police personnel; training and personnel efficiency; career enhancement opportunities; enhanced professionalism; and reduction of costs. Funds: A total of approximately $1,000,000 in federal funds is being announced to support this initiative. Applicants may apply for up to $150,000 for the formation of a new regional police department or up to $50,000 for the expansion of an existing regional police department by adding a chartered municipality(ies). Application Deadline: September 6, 2023 More information: PCCD Website Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Legal Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker is calling on business owners and corporations to pay Black women equally for equal work. For every dollar a white man makes, Black women are paid 58 cents. With 30% of Black households headed by Black women, she says it's time to pay Black women their fair share so that they can support their families and uplift their communities. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 20 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., announced the awarding of a $180,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation grant for Philadelphia Youth Basketball Inc. for the construction of the Allen Horwitz Sixth Man Center in Philadelphia. The Greenways, Trails and Recreation Grant Program is awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “Youth basketball programs teach our kids structure, teamwork and dedication,” Parker said. “They are important to the youth of our communities and a beautiful facility will only enhance the experience. I always say it’s all about the kids. Now we put our money where our mouth is in state government. I will always back those initiatives for our young people.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. Read more
Summer newsletter 2022 Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Commonwealth Financing Authority: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) (Funding Source: Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund) Who May Apply : Allegheny County Municipalities, Authorities (Redevelopment, Municipal or Industrial), Councils of Government, Non-Profit Organizations, Trusts and For Profit Organizations. Use : To support community and economic development projects in Allegheny County. Funds : Awards between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline : September 23, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.alleghenycounty.us/economic-development/authorities/gedtf-fund.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Traffic Signal Technologies Grant Program (Funding Source: Motor License Fund) Who May Apply : Municipalities. Use : To install and maintain traffic signal technologies. Funds : Varies by award. This is a reimbursement grant with no matching funds required. Application Deadline : September 30, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/Portal/TST_INFO.pdf . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grant Program (Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act Funds) Who May Apply Read more
If you are complaining about your tax dollars paying off someone else’s student loan debt, or proudly declaring that you worked hard to pay your own student loan debt, or if you were silent when billions of tax dollars paid off the debt of big corporations under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), have a seat. If you were fortunate enough to have family or someone who could save or even scrape together money for your higher education costs, by all means, count your blessings. You are not begrudged that good fortune. However, not everyone was or is in that same position. According to the Federal Reserve, the gender and racial wealth gap is significant. The median wealth of white families is 10 times that of Black families and more than 8 times that of Latinx families. A white man’s median net worth is 100 times higher than a Black woman’s. Yes, there is a cost to closing the gender-racial wealth gap. But the up-side is huge: Black women contributing to their communities through home ownership, purchasing goods and services, and on and on. So it stands to reason, Black women will benefit the most from President Joe Biden’s cancellation of student loan debt, which may explain some of this backlash. Historically, Black women have been left out of the higher education game, first by blatant discrimination and now by cost. This gender-racial wealth gap affects everyone. It affects entire communities. But at its core, it has economic impacts on a Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation, cooperatives or any other legal entity. Use : To support projects that grow agricultural infrastructure in urban food deserts to improve access to fresh, local food and provide opportunities for hands-on learning, community-building, and for people to become social entrepreneurs. Community gardens are eligible projects. Funds : $2,500 micro grants or up to $50,000 for collaboration grants. Application Deadline : September 16, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Urban-Ag-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation or any other legal entity. Use : To support the development and expansion of current or future very small meat and poultry processing operations. Funds : Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant. Application Deadline : September 26, 2022 More Information : Click on https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Funding/Farmbill/Pages/Very-Small-Meat-Processor-Grant.aspx . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: ?Agriculture and Youth Grant Program Read more
The House Democratic Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday morning in Philadelphia that brought landlords, tenants and housing officials together to discuss how lawmakers could strike a balance in the rental market. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined Philly Bolt, Frontline Dads and Youth Vote at the state Capitol to hear from young people about their experiences with #gunviolence. Parker says it’s unfortunate that so many kids in Philadelphia have lost friends and family members to gun violence. She hopes that Republicans will hear their testimonies and act on legislation that would help stop the killing. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker delivers the Pa. House prayer. She focuses on working in Christ's image and walking in his footsteps. She wants the Pa. House to come together to do good work for all Pennsylvanians. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila., has introduced legislation to improve the Pennsylvania Instant Check System to purchase guns and raise the minimum age to purchase and possess a firearm to 21. The bills were introduced in response to the rising gun violence in Philadelphia and across the state, and the inaction on bills currently introduced in the PA House to combat gun violence. “All we can do is continue to introduce bills that will help to keep folks safe and that will curb the rising tide of gun violence in our communities,” Parker said. “I implore our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to consider these types of commonsense measures so that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel on gun violence near our homes and in our neighborhoods. It’s time to pass bills that will make a difference, not to turn a blind eye.” In Pennsylvania, every firearm sale that is carried out by a licensed seller must involve a request for a criminal history, juvenile delinquency history and mental health record check of the potential purchaser or transferee. The state police PICS searches numerous databases to determine whether or not the potential buyer is legally allowed to own a firearm. However, currently a licensed seller can transfer a firearm to someone without first conducting a proper background check if there is an electronic failure, scheduled computer downtime, or similar event beyond the control Read more
"The problems that plague Philly are everywhere. Gun violence is on the rise in Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Erie, Scranton, York, Reading, Allentown." Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Assessing Racial & Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) in PA’s Criminal Justice System (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Higher education institutions (public/not-for-profit), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit institutions (i.e., consulting firms). Use : To develop and implement a statewide research initiative to identify current R/ED levels using quantitative methods, understand potential drivers using qualitative methods, and make recommendations to chart a path forward. Funds : Up to $250,000. Application Deadline : July 12, 2022 More Information : Click on https://egrants.pccd.pa.gov/Public/OpenAnnouncements.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Victim Advocacy – School District of Philadelphia (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply: Organizations that provide direct services to crime victims and may be operated by a non-profit organization or public (governmental) agency, or a combination of such agencies or organizations. Use : To support students and their families who are victims of violence within the School District of Philadelphia. Funds : Up to $375,000 over three years. PCCD expects to fund one (1) applicant over a three-year project period. Application Deadline : Read more
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