BETHLEHEM, PA—<\/strong>Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley\u2019s (Habitat Lehigh Valley) partner families throughout Bethlehem\u2019s SouthSide and beyond will enjoy increased access to arts and educational programming thanks to a new partnership between Habitat Lehigh Valley and the arts and cultural nonprofit ArtsQuest. The new partnership will make available art scholarships at the Banana Factory arts education center for all Habitat Lehigh Valley partner families, as well as provide various opportunities for families to discover the free arts and education programming available to them year-round at the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus.<\/p>\n While Habitat Lehigh Valley builds and rehabilitates homes and revitalizes neighborhoods with exterior repair projects for low-income families throughout the Lehigh Valley, more than 60 percent of its homes are located on Bethlehem\u2019s SouthSide, only a short walk from the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks. The new partnership is part of Habitat Lehigh Valley\u2019s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, an initiative launching in 2016 that focuses on partnering with housing and community organizations that are dedicated to community revitalization and neighborhood stabilization.<\/p>\n \u201cHabitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley offers expertise in partnerships and affordable housing solutions. Partnering with residents and other organizations helps ensure that Habitat Lehigh Valley\u2019s work \u2014 from rehabs to community projects like a garden or block clean up, from new homes to financial literacy classes \u2014 contributes to the fabric of the neighborhood and makes it an inviting place to call home,\u201d says Melissa Siegfried, Director of Resource Development\u00a0for Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. \u201cWe believe that an affordable, decent home provides the foundation for a healthy, fulfilled life and partnering with ArtsQuest connects our partner families to new opportunities to grow and achieve new dreams.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n As part of the new partnership, all Habitat Lehigh Valley partner families now have the opportunity to apply for arts scholarships at the Banana Factory. The scholarships will provide opportunities for adults and children alike to explore visual arts programming and classes benefiting them in school, career development and life. The Banana Factory offers more than 350 visual arts classes, workshops and summer camps annually ranging from digital photography and graphic illustration to glassblowing and ceramic arts. In addition to the new scholarship program, ArtsQuest will join Habitat Lehigh Valley for a volunteer work day at its target SouthSide neighborhood in the coming months.<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership between Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley and ArtsQuest allows our organizations to work together to benefit families living on the SouthSide,\u201d says ArtsQuest Vice President of Community Partnerships Julie Benjamin. \u201cBoth organizations are committed to south Bethlehem\u2019s neighborhoods and its residents, and we know there are many benefits to empowering families to use the many arts and cultural assets available at the Banana Factory and SteelStacks.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n About Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley<\/strong> Habitat for Humanity\u2019s mission is to provide affordable housing for hardworking low-income families. Homeowners commit to 250 hours of \u201csweat equity\u201d to be eligible for a Habitat home. Partner families repay a no-interest mortgage as part of Habitat\u2019s philosophy of giving potential homeowners a \u201chand up\u201d instead of a \u201chand out.\u201d Since 1989, Habitat has built and renovated over 100 homes in the Lehigh Valley and has dedicated its 100th<\/sup> home last year. Contact Habitat Lehigh Valley at 610-776-7737 for additional information or explore its initiatives by visiting the website at http:\/\/www.habitatlv.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n About ArtsQuest <\/strong>ArtsQuest\u2122 is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest\u00ae; the Banana Factory\u00ae arts education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks\u2122 arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest\u2019s programming reaches more than 1.5 million people annually. For more information on ArtsQuest, visit http:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a>, follow on Facebook.com\/ArtsQuest and Twitter.com\/ArtsQuest or call 610-332-1300.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Press release from:<\/p>\n Melissa Siegfried <\/p>\n
\nHabitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
\nmelissa@habitatlv.org<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n
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