In case you missed it...

We have big news to share!

The congregation of Emmanuel United Church of Christ has generously donated their beautiful property at 1547 W. Chew Street to Ripple Community Inc. On August 24th, more than 100 people gathered to thank Emmanuel UCC for their extraordinarily generous gift and to learn about RCI’s plans for the property.

“When we decided to close the church last fall, our biggest hope was that we would be able to find someone who could continue to use this building and care for it as we had. When we were introduced to Ripple Community Inc., we knew we had found something special.”
— Kathy Heckman, Emmanuel UCC Consistory President

RCI’s plans for this building include 12 units of deeply affordable, permanent housing, and a community center where we — along with our partners — will provide connection and care.

With the creation of 12 new apartments, we will provide permanent housing for 22 to 30 residents, including families with children who previously struggled with homelessness or housing instability. Deeply affordable rent at this new property means families will pay as little as $540 per month for safe, healthy housing, compared to the current market rate of $1,966 for a two-bedroom apartment.

This building is an investment in our neighbors, our communities, and our city that will reduce childhood poverty, increase economic mobility, and improve health and education outcomes for children and families.

“We know that ‘home’ is more than 4 walls and a roof over our heads. Home is our anchor of safety, comfort, and community, and those are things we want for all of our neighbors. And that’s the heart of RCI.”
— Sherri Brokopp Binder, PhD, Executive Director

Interested in learning more? View news coverage of the event here or contact Alicia Moyer.

Ripple Community Inc. Celebrated Summer in Franklin Park

Our annual Party in the Park event drew a crowd of about 100 of our community members and neighbors.

On Friday, August 11, Ripple Community Inc. hosted Party in the Park at Franklin Park in Allentown. Featuring free food, face painting, prizes, and a special visit from the Allentown Fire Department, we celebrated a beautiful summer day with our friends and neighbors.

Thank you to our sponsors: Capital Blue Cross, Cohesion Network, and City Center Allentown, as well as our community partners: Community Bike Works, Community Services for Children, and Highmark Wholecare.

Summer Intern- Welcome Kenny!

Muhlenberg College in Allentown has a Community Internship program for students during the summer to get connected with non-profit organizations in the Lehigh Valley. RCI is happy to receive Kenny Tran as an intern. Kenny majors in Creative Writing at Muhlenberg. He enjoys gardening, writing and reading, and spending time with friends. He has worked as an English Teacher at Refugee Center in the Episcopal Church of the Mediator which spurred interest in more community engagement work.

This summer he will participate in community center activities, community circles and learn about community resources for unsheltered individuals. Welcome Kenny!