CRDA Awards 3 Year Community Development Grant To Boys & Girls Club

July 20, 2021

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (July 20, 2021) – At its monthly Board Meeting today, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Board of Directors approved a fund reservation for a grant totaling $2,169,974.47 to fund a three-year initiative named the Collaborative Health, Education and Community  (CHEC) initiative.

Grant funds will be used to expand workforce development and college readiness programming, as well as offer access to new healthcare services and trauma informed mental health case management for 100 Atlantic City teens annually, between the ages of 13 to 18 years old.  This initiative is a first of its kind multi-pronged approach that seeks to adopt a comprehensive strategy to addresses trauma, emotional and behavioral health for youth and to fill in the gaps in social services currently offered in Atlantic City.

 

The CHEC initiative will lay the foundation to establish a network of partners that are solely focused on providing services for Atlantic City’s youth. These partners include AtlantiCare, Atlantic Cape Community College, American Red Cross, Borgata, Apple, Drexel University, Covenant House, Mudgirls Studios, Volunteers of America, Spectra, ServSafe, Adobe and OSHA.  It will build and expand upon initiatives that were supported by the CRDA in the past such as the Earn Learn & Explore program and Community Collaboration.

 

“The CRDA remains steadfast in reinvesting in Atlantic City’s youth through the support of the Boys and Girls Club’s CHEC initiative,” said CRDA Board Chairman Modia Butler. “We are proud to continue to support an organization who is committed to providing critical services to Atlantic City’s youth.”

 

The CHEC initiative will provide access to behavioral health and physical health services by licensed professionals during out of school hours at the club.  A new feature that is rare for organizations throughout the city of Atlantic City.

 

“Access to mental health services and trauma informed case management are critical tools to helping Atlantic City’s youth,” said CRDA Deputy Executive Director, Rose Farias. “This multi-year grant reaffirms CRDA’s commitment to providing critical services to our youth.”

 

The total grant for this initiative is $2,169,974.47 payable over a three-year period: (Year 1 – $634,285.62; Year 2 – $765,072.41; Year 3 -$770,616.45.

 

Over the past year during the pandemic, The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City has strengthened and expanded their mission to serve not only Club Kids, but also their families and the greater Atlantic City community. Highlights of recent changes include collaborating with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to distribute over 13,000 meals to Club families and the greater community; partnering with local businesses to provide virtual culinary learning.

 

Board actions will take effect following the expiration of the Governor’s statutory review period.

 

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About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984.  Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City.  CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center.  In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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