The South Philly-based Bethesda Project was among four organizations to recently receive a total of $500,000 in grants from PHLCares, a business-led initiative founded by the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, PREIT and Wawa that invests in solutions to homelessness.
Each organization received $125,000 in funding for a year to support their high-impact, housing-focused strategies to address homelessness throughout Philadelphia. The funding will help expand outreach, engagement and connection to housing, harm reduction supplies and other basic needs.
Since being established in 2019, PHLCares has raised over $1 million from corporate and individual donors to help provide those struggling with homelessness with the resources they need.
“We continue to be inspired by the dedication, innovation, and compassion these organizations have shown in the face of these obstacles as they continue to help individuals experiencing homelessness,” said John J. McNichol, the president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, in a press release. “It is our hope that these grants provide opportunities to the non-profits to augment their efforts and have even greater impact from the housing and services provided.”
In operation since 1979, the Bethesda Project has provided emergency shelter, housing and other various support services across its 15 locations throughout the city.
“The first round of PHLCares grants come at a critical time in our city’s recovery,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our homeless services community has worked non-stop to protect residents deeply and disproportionately affected by the pandemic. These resources will go directly towards housing and other solutions to street homelessness led by expert service providers.”