Schwank Applauds Grant Award to Address Sexual Assault

Reading, January 5, 2020 − State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) is thrilled to see Albright College receive an “It’s On Us PA” grant award for nearly $30,000.

Albright College was awarded $29,969 to address campus sexual assault through Gov. Tom Wolf’s “It’s On Us PA” Grant Program. The program is part of Wolf’s It’s On Us PA campaign, which invites education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence.

The grants provide funding from January 2021 through May 2022 to implement strategies on campuses to address goals of the Governor’s It’s On Us PA campaign, which include:

  • Improve awareness, prevention, reporting, and response systems regarding sexual violence in schools, colleges, and universities to better serve all students.
  • Remove/reduce barriers that prevent survivors of sexual violence from reporting and/or accessing vital resources by creating a more consistent, empowering reporting process for student survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Demonstrate significant, proactive, and sustainable leadership to change campus culture by challenging Pennsylvania’s education leaders – including college and university presidents, as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, families, and communities to pledge to improve their institutions’ climate around sexual assault.

“This initiative has made Pennsylvania a leader in combatting sexual assault in colleges and universities,” Schwank said. “I’ve supported these programs from the beginning and I’m beyond pleased to see Albright College successfully pursue these funds to better support the students on campus.”

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Albright College, Alvernia University to Receive State Grant Funds

Reading, December 23, 2020 Two Berks County institutions of higher learning will receive $5 million in state grant funding, announced State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district). Alvernia University will receive $4 million from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to move forward with its Reading College Towne initiative at its downtown Reading campus. Albright College will receive $1 million from the same grant program to renovate the college’s Gingrich Library. Schwank strongly advocated for both projects.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.

“These funds are an incredible boost for downtown Reading and our efforts to revitalize Penn Street,” Schwank said. “I am beyond pleased to see Alvernia making such a bold move to locate part of their campus in downtown Reading. I’m equally grateful to Gov. Tom Wolf who has been so supportive of the economic development projects in the city.”

Schwank congratulated the efforts of all involved in securing the funding, including Reading Mayor Eddie Moran, who Schwank lauded for helping make the vision of a downtown campus a reality.

Albright College’s project is especially meaningful for Northeast Reading.

“These state funds will help Albright remain an anchor in Northeast Reading and allow the institution to transform Gingrich Library into a state-of-the-art learning facility that will benefit both college students and the community at-large,” Schwank said.

“These are two great projects that will bring immediate jobs to Berks in terms of construction, and long-term these projects will have a tremendously positive impact on Reading and the greater Reading area,” Schwank said.

“It’s important to note that I’m excited about these projects, but I am also continuing to work to make sure we help other businesses who have been so negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic,” Schwank said.

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8 Berks County Organizations to Get $260k State Investment to Target Underage, Dangerous Drinking, Schwank, Caltagirone Announce

READING, June 11, 2015 – Berks County communities working to help teenagers and young adults better understand the consequences of drinking and alcohol abuse today received nearly $260,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Tom Caltagirone, and PLCB Chairman Tim Holden announced the grant recipients today during a press conference at Penn State-Berks. Representatives from area colleges and municipal governments joined them.

“Our purpose here today is not to take credit, get attention, or seek congratulations,” Sen. Schwank said. “Instead, we gather here today to share some great news: three of our local colleges and universities, two local governments, two police forces, and one school district have been awarded nearly $260,000 in grants from the PLCB to better help our children who might be tempted by underage drinking.”

“With the PLCB’s help, these Berks County communities and organizations will use these new investments to make lives better for minors, their families and the neighborhoods they call home,” Rep. Caltagirone said. “‘Drink Responsibly’ is a marketing slogan that is too often ignored by minors and these funds will be used to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of underage drinking.”

The PLCB is awarding nearly $2.3 million in grants to organizations statewide. In Berks County, eight awards are headed to the following:

Kutztown University – $40,000

Kutztown School District – $40,000

Kutztown Borough – $32,622

Wyomissing Borough Police – $25,536

Alvernia University – $40,000

Penn State Berks Campus Police – $21,817

Albright College – $39,793

Spring Township Police Department – $19,108

Today’s announcement is nearly 60 percent greater than the PLCB’s investment two years ago when just Kutztown University ($40,000), Kutztown Borough ($36,615), Albright College ($27,254), Wyomissing Borough PD ($24,478), and PSU-Berks ($20,065) received grants.

Grant recipients will invest the PLCB dollars in efforts that involve training, law enforcement patrols, and other prevention programs.

Schwank said alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the U.S. and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage drinkers. Every year, she added, hospitals across the country are visited by thousands of underage persons for alcohol related incidents.

“The value of Pennsylvania’s liquor store system is evidenced by the investment made today in our Berks County communities,” Caltagirone said. “These grants represent significant backing and education for our children and the places we call home.”

“I want local residents and officials to know that though the statistics are daunting, real work is being done to educate students and young people about the dangers of illegal and dangerous alcohol use,” Schwank said. “These participants that have gathered here today are working to ensure that our community is a safe one where alcohol is consumed responsibly and legally.”

The other participants joining Caltagirone, Schwank and Holden included:

  • Dr. Keith Hillkirk and Chief Kevin Rudy from Penn State Berks
  • Dr. Lex O. McMillan III, Albright College
  • Dr. Joe Cicala, vice president of university life at Alvernia University
  • Dr. Carlos Vargas, Kutztown University
  • Dr. Ed Meyers and Mr. Barry Flicker, Kutztown School District
  • Chief Jeffrey Beihl, Wyomissing Police, and
  • Kutztown Mayor Sandra Green

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Community Leaders to Offer Expert Testimony During Schwank’s Model Senate Committee Hearings

HARRISBURG, March 26, 2015 – Sen. Judy Schwank will give students from her district a first-hand glimpse of life as a state lawmaker on Friday, March 27, at Albright College during the second session of her 2nd annual Berks County Model Senate.

The session will comprise of the “Senate Committee Hearings,” where the student Senators will have the opportunity to hear and cross examine expert testimony and on the bills created by our model legislators. The witnesses “subpoenaed,” include:

Health and Welfare

Bill: SB 9 Welfare Drug Benefit Testing Act

Speaking: Kathy Knoll, Council on Chemical Abuse

Agriculture

Bill: SB 12 Farmers in our Schools/Students in our Farms

Speaking: Theresa Tracey, executive director, Berks County FSA Office

Education

Bill: SB 15 State Standardized Testing Act

Speaking: Shannon Burghardt, Brandywine Heights High School Social Studies Department

Judicial

Bill: SB 18 Voter Identification Act

Speaking: Deborah Olivieri, director, Berks County Election Services

Environmental

Bill: SB1 Fracking Observation Board

Speaking: Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

State

Bill: SB 6 Infrastructure Reinvestment Act

Speaking: Alan Piper, Berks County Planning Commission

Media coverage is encouraged.

WHAT: Second session of Sen. Schwank’s “Model Senate” (Committee Hearings)

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., committee hearings will begin at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: South lounge, Albright College’s Student Center ,1621 N. 13th St, Reading

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Community Leaders To Testify During Schwank’s Model Senate Committee Hearings

HARRISBURG, Feb. 12, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will give students from 15 Berks County schools another first-hand glimpse of life as a state lawmaker on Feb. 18 during the third of five sessions in her Berks County Model Senate.

The third session will be held at Albright College and it will include “Senate Committee Hearings” where student senators will listen to and cross examine testimony on the bills created by the model legislators. The witnesses “subpoenaed” will be from:

  • The Department of Environmental Protection – Testifying on SB 21 and SB 35 (Natural Gas Funding the Future Act and Alternative Industrial Energy Act)
  • The Berks County District Attorney’s office – Testifying on SB 27 and SB 26 (Medical Marijuana Act and Recreational Marijuana Act)
  • The Penn State Berks Agricultural Extension – Testifying on SB 19 (Agricultural Revitalization Act)
  • Berks Abilities in Motion – Testifying on SB 24 (Office of Disabled Persons Act)
  • Major Colin Devault, Salvation Army – Testifying on SB 25 ( Office of Non-profit Community Organizations Act)
  • Gregg Shemanski, president, Custom Processing Services – Testifying on SB 34 (Integration of Technology and Science in Education Act)

Media coverage is encouraged.

WHO: Sen. Judy Schwank

WHAT: Third Session of Sen. Schwank’s “Model Senate” (Committee Hearings)

WHEN: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb 18

WHERE: Albright College’s Student Center – South Lounge, 1621 N. 13th St, Reading

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Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Schwank to Host 2nd Session of Berks County Model Senate

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank will continue to give students from 15 Berks County schools a first-hand glimpse of life as a state lawmaker from noon until 2 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 19, at Albright College during the second of five sessions of her Berks County Model Senate.

The second session will include the “Governor’s budget address,” as well as introduction and floor debate over legislation created and introduced by the student senators. Property tax, medical marijuana, natural gas reform, school vouchers, liquor privatization, and transportation are all topics of potential legislation.

Media coverage is encouraged.

WHAT:           Sen. Judy Schwank’s Berks County Model Senate

WHERE:        Campus Center, South Lounge, Albright College, Reading

WHEN:           12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19

 

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Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Schwank, PLCB Award $ 150,000 in Grants to Kutztown Borough, Area Colleges, Wyomissing Police Department for Alcohol Abuse Prevention

KUTZTOWN, Sept. 3, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced today that three local colleges, Kutztown Borough, and the Wyomissing Police Department will share a combined $150,000 to help minors avoid the temptation of underage drinking and alcohol abuse.

Kutztown University is receiving $40,000 for the program while Kutztown Borough is getting a $36,615 grant. The PLCB’s grant to Albright College is for $27,254.  Wyomissing Borough Police Department will receive $24,478.  Penn State-Berks is getting $20,065.

“Television commercials and internet ads make it look like drinking is a cool thing to do, but when alcohol is consumed irresponsibly and illegally, the results are costly, tragic and sometimes deadly,” Schwank said.

The PLCB’s Bureau of Alcohol Education will pay the grants over a two-year period.

One-hundred-and-fifteen organizations applied for a share of the board’s $2.1 million program. Kutztown’s borough and university, the Wyomissing Borough Police Department, as well as Albright and PSU-Berks are five of the 61 entities that won funding.

“There is a responsibility that comes with drinking alcohol,” Schwank said. “With the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s investments, we are taking positive steps to make sure everyone understands this expectation. And, we are working to make sure that our young adults who are not yet legally allowed to consume beer, wine and liquor wait until they are 21 to do so.”

With this newest round of funding, the PLCB has invested more than $10 million to more than 250 schools, colleges, law enforcement departments and community organizations throughout Pennsylvania since 1999.

Officials from Kutztown Borough and its police department, Kutztown University, the PLCB, Albright College, Penn State Berks Campus, the Reading Police Department, and the Wyomissing Borough Police Department joined Schwank at today’s press conference.
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Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her <a href=”https://www.senatorschwank.com/” target=”_blank”>website</a>, <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/#!/senatorjudyschwank” target=”_blank”>Facebook</a>, and <a href=”https://twitter.com/senjudyschwank” target=”_blank”>Twitter</a>.