Habitat for Humanity. Office space for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County was one of our first loans made in 2000. The loan made way for a one-story, 2,100 square foot office building and work space in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pa., to administer Habitat for Humanity programs. The organization is a non-denominational Christian housing group whose goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. (Loan Pool I – 8/3/2000)
Pregnancy Clinic. Funding for a pregnancy clinic run by North Penn Pregnancy Counseling helped to open doors in Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pa., in 2002. The organization is now named Pregnancy Resource Clinic of North Penn. The program offers free pregnancy testing, counseling for pregnant women considering abortion, parenting or adoption, and information on sexuality. The program includes peer counselors and male counselors for men. (Loan Pool I – 8/15/02)
Center for Youth. The Police Athletic League of Norristown (PAL) received a loan for the purchase of a 2-story, 11,288 square foot facility in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pa., to be used as an activity center for youth ages 8-18. The Norristown Police Athletic League is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving the youth and families of the Greater Norristown community with recreational, educational, and cultural programs addressing citizenship, self-esteem, avoidance of substance abuse, and respect for law and order. The PAL formed in 1973. (Loan Pool II – 10/1/2003)
Training for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Indian Creek Foundation of Souderton, Montgomery County, Pa. was able to move its administrative offices, plus program space to a former private elementary school in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pa. with a loan from Community Lenders. This 54,068 square foot building is now used for administration as well as vocational training, life and social skills training of adults with disabilities. See Housing Loans for other loans made to Indian Creek Foundation. (Loan Pool II – 8/31/2004)
YMCA. The Upper Bucks YMCA received a loan toward the purchase of a 96,000 square foot former industrial/manufacturing facility in Quakertown, Bucks County, Pa. The building is being converted to 2 gyms, a gymnastics area, 2 indoor pools, a teen center, a day care, and wellness center. The Upper Bucks YMCA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1968 to serve the local communities within our service area, encompassing the Pennridge, Palisades, and Quakertown school districts. (Loan Pool – 9/29/2006)
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania got a new home as a tenant in Norristown, Montgomery County, when the Regional Housing Development Corp. (now called Commonwealth Housing Development Corporation) received funds to rehabilitate a three-story office building for professional office space. They converted the building to serve as the central office of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Legal Aid of Pennsylvania helps clients who need legal information, advice, and representation and earn 50 percent or less of the area median income. (Loan Pool III – 10/31/2006)
Community Home Program for Children. NorthStar Property Corporation of PA was able to refinance a loan on a building that houses the administrative offices for NorthStar Youth Services. NorthStar Youth Services provides a community home program for dependent children. Children are provided with counseling and other services, attend public school, and are encouraged to participate in school activities. When possible, the agency also facilitates the return of children in their program to families or relatives. At the time of the loan, there were 68 youths between the ages of 8 and 17 in the community home program. (Loan Pool IV – 12/20/07)
A center for retired and senior citizens in Bucks County. Our loan to the Bucks County Association for Retired and Senior Citizens was used to pay off the construction loan for the Pennridge Community Senior Center in Silverdale, Pa. The Association provides nutritional meals, educational activities, health and insurance information, and other services and information to help seniors maintain their health, independence, and dignity. Area seniors use the center as a place to get together with friends, participate in activities, and make new acquaintances. (Loan Pool IV – 6/24/08)
Faith-based counseling open to anyone, regardless of income or ability to pay. With a loan from Community Lenders, the Peacemaker Center purchased a recently renovated 1,524-square-foot office building in Downingtown, Pa. The organization provides individual, group, and family counseling for low- to moderate-income individuals in Chester County. (Loan Pool III – 9/16/08)
Ambler Theater, Inc. consolidated construction debt to get more affordable payments. Our loan to Amber Theater, Inc. consolidated several pieces of construction financing acquired to renovate the building into 3 separate theaters. Monthly payments are now more affordable, freeing funds for their events and programs. Ambler Theater fosters arts, culture, and education through discussion groups and lectures, cultural events, matinees for kids, and more. (Loan Pool III – 10/17/08)
