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Funding strengthens community health partnership and expands experiential learning in downtown Reading 

�鶹��Ƶ receives $750,000 in Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding to support the renovation of the historic American House, marking Phase III of the Reading CollegeTowne initiative. The award was among four projects in the 11th Senatorial District totaling $4.75 million in funding

“The American House project is a cornerstone of the CollegeTowne initiative, demonstrating what is possible when a community-engaged university and its partners come together with a shared commitment to strengthening the region,” said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “We are grateful to Governor Shapiro, Senator Schwank, and Representative Guzman, and countless others for their continued belief and support. This funding will help us bring vital services to downtown Reading while creating high-impact hands-on learning opportunities for Alvernia students.” 

The American House at Reading CollegeTowne is a 45,000-square-foot property at 354 Penn St. that Alvernia purchased in June 2022 for to expand its downtown footprint. In 2023, Alvernia announced its partnership with Berks Community Health Center, kicking off Phase III of the Reading CollegeTowne initiative, geared toward expanding health care access and experiential learning opportunities for Alvernia students in downtown Reading. 

“It’s my priority to see that the investments we make at the state level have an impact in Berks County,” Schwank said in a press release. “We have no shortage of projects in the pipeline, which speaks to the fact that our businesses, educational institutions and local governments are experiencing growth. That bodes well for the future of our community, and I’m sure there are many more exciting announcements to come.” 

The renovated site is being outfitted to serve more than 2,000 individuals in its first year of operation. It will include a state-of-the-art community-based health center offering primary care along with wraparound services such as mental health support, nutrition and wellness education, financial literacy education, social services assistance and warm hand-off referrals. At least 50 annual clinical experiences will also be available, supporting student training across programs including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician associate, social work, and addictions and mental health treatment. 

Renovation of the American House at Reading CollegeTowne will also include space for John Paul II Center for Special Learning’s client-run retail operation "Special Blends Cafe" as part of an expanded partnership that supports job readiness and community engagement. additional business incubator space for the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.  

Alvernia’s CollegeTowne initiative is designed to drive economic growth and community revitalization through strategic downtown investment. Alvernia launched the CollegeTowne initiative in Reading in late 2019. Since its launch, Alvernia has completed two phases of Reading CollegeTowne, investing nearly $55 million into the City of Reading by purchasing and renovating the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, a 250,000-square-foot living and learning facility at 401 Penn Street and the American House at Reading CollegeTowne. Construction began in February on the American House, with the building anticipated to open in 2027. 

To date, Alvernia has secured a total of $19,750,000 in redevelopment grant resources for the CollegeTowne initiatives in Reading and Pottsville, underscoring the collective impact of the initiative. The university last received a grant award of this kind in 2024. The CollegeTowne initiative has been one of several funding priorities in the Partners in Progress Campaign, the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in Alvernia’s history. Through the campaign, Alvernia has raised $82.2 million, surpassing the $70 million goal, providing funding to enhance the student experience.  

 is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.