CITY CENTER DONATES MORE THAN $2.2 MILLION TOTAL TO MORE THAN 120 ORGANIZATIONS IN 2019 THROUGH ITS BUILDING COMMUNITY PROGRAM
City Center Investment Corp. (CCIC), the real estate development company revitalizing downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania, announced today it donated more than $2.2 million total to more than 120 organizations in 2019 through its Building Community program. Since CCIC launched Building Community three years ago, it has donated more than $9.8 million total, mainly to organizations in downtown Allentown.
Building Community is the community-engagement initiative of CCIC and its principals and employees. The initiative aims to revitalize downtown Allentown and its surrounding neighborhoods into a sustainable, vibrant urban community by providing financial support, in-kind donations and volunteer service in three key results-oriented areas: the arts, education and community development. In 2019, CCIC’s 23 employees volunteered at approximately 45 organizations, donating more than 2,000 total hours.
“City Center and our affiliates believe we can make the greatest impact by concentrating our giving in downtown Allentown, whether we’re supporting affordable housing, the homeless, the arts, education or community development,” said CCIC President J.B. Reilly. “City Center is proud to play a role in strengthening the downtown Allentown community, and we look forward to continuing our work and partnerships for the greater good throughout 2020.”
Major Building Community initiatives in 2019 included CCIC again pledging $1 million to match new and increased leadership gifts to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s 2019 campaign, CCIC continuing its partnership with its neighborhood school, Central Elementary, a United Way Community School, and CCIC continuing to support Community Services for Children in providing school-day, after-school and summer programing for local children and parents in need through The Learning Hub.
“City Center, with its commitment to Community Services for Children’s Head Start program, has made the most extraordinary opportunity for low-income, vulnerable children and families in downtown Allentown a reality,” said Paula J. Margraf, CEO and president of Community Services for Children. “Through the creation of The Learning Hub, previously disenfranchised families have become engaged in the vibrant revitalization in the city, as active participants in early childhood and family education, the arts and social settings, creating a strong, diverse, connected community and ensuring success now and in the future.”
Additional key 2019 Building Community partners and programs included:
• Allentown Art Museum
• Allentown School District Foundation
• Allentown Symphony Association
• Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
• Central Elementary School
• Civic Theatre of Allentown
• Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley
• Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown, including Upside Allentown
• Community Services for Children
• Da Vinci Science Center
• Downtown Allentown Business Alliance
• Ripple Community Inc.
• The Baum School of Art
• United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
• YWCA Allentown, including Perfect Fit Boutique
“City Center continues to demonstrate tremendous leadership across our Greater Lehigh Valley,” said Jill Pereira, vice president of education and impact for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “Their passion for a vibrant community is evident through their philanthropy, revitalization and volunteerism.”
In 2020, CCIC’s philanthropy will continue to focus on the arts, education and community development. To view the 2019 Building Community Impact Report and video and for instructions on how to request financial or in-kind support, please visit www.citycenterallentown.com/building-community.