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City, Riverfront Alliance launch 'Jumpstart Chester' to train and fund local home rehabs
Summary
City officials announced Jumpstart Chester, a four-week mentorship and training program to help residents and small developers renovate and build homes; organizers said applications open Aug. 1 and some seed funding is already pledged.
City officials presented Jumpstart Chester on July 23, a four-week, once-a-week training and mentorship program designed to teach residents and small developers how to rehabilitate and build housing in the city.
Amanda Johnson, the city lead for the program, said applications for mentors and mentees open Aug. 1 with plans to begin classes in October. The program will pair experienced contractors with aspiring local developers and provide classroom instruction on tools, blueprints, contracting, bidding and funding. Jumpstart Chester organizers said they will also provide follow-up networking and troubleshooting sessions for graduates who encounter barriers to completing projects.
Johnson said the Riverfront Alliance of Chester provided initial seed funding, and the program already has more than $75,000 in donations. She said the Riverfront Alliance made a six-figure investment commitment at a single presentation to support the program’s launch. Organizers said dedicated internal funding will be used to provide small grants or direct funding to several graduates’ projects and that the program will, over time, seek more funders to expand support.
Johnson described a related neighborhood initiative at the former Pulaski School site in what she referred to as the Grace Manor area (roughly Fourth Street to Ninth Street, Booth to Ward). Surveys are being distributed to households in that area to determine neighborhood needs and eligibility for exterior assistance such as repainting and power washing; survey completion carries a small gift card incentive. The program also plans to offer credit counseling and financing guidance, and Johnson said the first cohort will incorporate additional modules based on participant needs.
Mayor Ruth and other council members framed the initiative as a workforce-development and housing-rehabilitation tool that pairs vocational training with project financing to address blight and encourage local home ownership.
