{"id":140380,"date":"2025-02-14T18:42:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T23:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=140380"},"modified":"2025-02-14T18:42:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T23:42:07","slug":"allentown-launches-love-your-block-mini-grant-pilot-program-for-franklin-park-neighborhood-revitalization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=140380","title":{"rendered":"Allentown Launches Love Your Block Mini-Grant Pilot Program for Franklin Park Neighborhood Revitalization"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 13, 2025 \u2013This Valentine\u2019s Day, the City of Allentown is showing its love for the community by launching the Love Your Block <\/em>Mini-Grant Program, a neighborhood revitalization initiative designed to bring residents together and spark positive change. This pilot program is focused on Franklin Park, the area between 10th and 17th Streets and Hamilton and Liberty Streets.<\/p>\n

Starting Friday, February 14, 2025, Franklin Park residents and community groups can submit proposals for improvement projects like beautifying public spaces, sprucing up small facades, and strengthening neighborhood bonds. Selected projects will receive $500\u2013$5,000 in funding and resources to bring their ideas to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it\u2019s the little things that make a neighborhood really interesting: a funky piece of public art or a regular gathering in a community space.\u201d said Mayor Matt Tuerk. \u201cWe\u2019re confident that our neighbors have some ideas about what could make Franklin Park really shine, and we want to empower them to make those investments. Through our partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, we\u2019re putting resources directly into the hands of the people who want to make their community better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to make it simple for residents to turn their ideas into reality. Whether you\u2019re ready to go or just feeling inspired, we\u2019ll connect you with neighbors to make it happen.\u201d added Avery Daniels, Love Your Block <\/em>Fellow. \u201cThis Valentine\u2019s Day, we\u2019re encouraging residents to show some love for Franklin Park by pitching their best ideas for improving their neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEach Love Your Block <\/em>city helps demonstrate one of the most important skills required to drive innovation in city halls \u2013 the ability to center resident voices,\u201d said Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns<\/a> Hopkins University.<\/a> \u201cWe are excited to partner with The City of Allentown to build on the successful legacy of support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Cities of Service and accelerate their efforts to partner with communities to drive local impact through funding, staff support, and the innovation expertise to help sustain resident-led change.\u201d<\/p>\n

What the Mini-Grant Covers<\/h2>\n

Projects eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n