EASTON, Pa. — Two Easton area nonprofits will get more than $1.1 million earmarked for efforts to reduce violence in the region.
- More than $1.1 million in state funding has been earmarked for two programs that aim to reduce violence in the Easton area
- Most will go to Greater Easton Development Partnership to expand into the neighborhood around Paxinosa Elementary School to improve safety for children walking to and from school
- Also benefitting will be an Earn-a-Bike mentoring program run by Community Bike Works
Nearly all the funding will go to the Greater Easton Development Partnership. The organization, which runs Easton Farmers Market and BaconFest, among other programs, will extend the reach of the Easton Ambassadors and begin a mentoring program.
The Easton Ambassadors spruce up Downtown Easton, supervise the area and provide directions to shoppers and tourists, according to the GEDP website. They remove graffiti, shovel snow, garden and mulch in the area.
With the new funding, the 15-year-old program will expand into the neighborhood around Paxinosa Elementary School on the 1200 block of Northampton Street. The expansion is intended to improve safety for children walking to and from school for classes and summer programing.
Bankrolling Earn a Bike program
The GEDP also will bankroll an Earn a Bike mentoring program run by Community Bike Works. Students in the program, which will target high school freshmen, get 40 hours of training on bike maintenance and safety as well as year-round mentoring. Students who complete the training receive a new bike and helmet.
"Developing strategies and programs to address the issue of violence in our communities is critical to safeguard our quality of life and ensure that all of our residents are safe.”State Sen. Bob Freemen, D-Northampton
Also, $30,000 will go to the LINCS Family Center in Wilson Borough. The money will pay for more personnel and supplies to begin new programing, but the non-profit has not determined what that will include, according to its website.
The LINCS Family Center already provides a food pantry, a coat drive, summer programing for elementary school children and a community garden for needy families in the community.
State Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton) announced the funding as part of the statewide $105 million initiative through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
“This funding will help support important programs in Easton and Wilson to reduce violence," Freeman said in a statement. "Developing strategies and programs to address the issue of violence in our communities is critical to safeguard our quality of life and ensure that all of our residents are safe.”
