Bucks County officials and community leaders came together earlier this month in Bristol Township to celebrate the newly expanded home of a community-based effort supporting at-risk youth.
The Neighborhood First Program, which first opened its doors back in 2001 with the focus of addressing the needs of youth who were ‘falling through the cracks’ of the youth justice system, now has new space to provide supportive services and mentorship to its stakeholders, thanks to an investment from Bucks County.
“This is not only a good day for Neighborhood First, this is a great day for the county, it’s a great day for this community, it’s a great day for our youth whom we serve,” said Walter Mims, executive director of Neighborhood First. “We do what we do because we love what we do. And we hope that over the past 25 years, this is a reflection of how much we care about this community and the young people we serve.”
Located next to the program’s original home, the new 2,300-square foot modular facility includes space for staff offices, a classroom, an open programming area and private spaces for education and skills advancement, officials said.
The project also included improvements to the property including an expanded parking lot, stormwater upgrades and landscaping work, according to Bucks County spokesman James ‘O’Malley.
“As a social worker, I witnessed firsthand the amazing work Neighborhood First does for young people in Bucks County,” said Commissioner Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW. “The staff cares so deeply for the communities and school districts they serve, and that’s proven by the many students who have gone through the program and emerged as success stories. The County is absolutely thrilled to help Neighborhood First find the additional space it has long needed and deserves.”
Final costs for the project, which have been paid through a combination of funding sources including the American Rescue Plan Act and Opioid Settlement Fund, are estimated at about $1.4 million, said county officials.
Since its launch, Neighborhood First has flourished, thanks to the support of families, churches, community organizations, the Bucks County Juvenile Justice systems, local district judges, the Bristol Borough School District, the Bristol Township School District, police departments, and former and current congressional representatives, according to the program’s website.
More than anything else, officials say, Neighborhood First provides opportunities for at=risk youth to grow and maximize their inherent potential.
To learn more about the contributions and successes of Neighborhood First, please click here.
Recent Comments