Salisbury: Nearly $300K awarded for Wilkinsburg renovation project

Will fund restoration of Rochez Building for Gwen’s Girls organization

BRADDOCK, May 22 – A $298,004 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development will support a project by Gwen’s Girls to renovate the Rochez Building in Wilkinsburg, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. 

Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the grant will allow the nonprofit social services organization to relocate to the building and expand its programs and services for young girls and women.

“Gwen’s Girls is an amazing group that provides a whole range of resources to empower girls and young women, from behavioral and mental health services to academic and career-based learning,” Salisbury said. “When the group outgrew its existing space, they purchased the Rochez Building and will be able to relocate there once it has been renovated. The move is going to allow them to serve more young women, expand programs and resources and even add a STEM lab.

“I’m thrilled we were able to help secure new funding and thankful to both DCED and the local partners who worked to make this happen. It’s the best kind of project – one that will help more people thrive while also addressing blight in the business district.”

The funding is part of a package of grants awarded under the Keystone Communities Program. More information is available here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/in-bedford-county-governor-shapiro-and-secretary-siger-visit-small-businesses-announce-nearly-7-million-to-support-pennsylvanias-main-streets-and-communities-across-the-commonwealth/.