The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, May 15, 2003

Housing authority teams up with YMCA, health services

The Mercer County Housing Authority plans to contract with the Shenango Valley YMCA, Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission and Minority Health Services to provide learning, recreational and educational service at the Federal Street Community Center.

The housing authority wanted to team up with an agency that could offer strong programs to keep up with the demands of the communities, said L. Dewitt Boosel, MCHA executive director.

The housing authority wanted one agency, but received strong proposals from the YMCA and the health services. The housing authority will work with Kim Anglan of Behavioral Health and Olive "Ollie" Brown of Minority Health, to provide education and counseling programs, and with Rich Moeller of the YMCA to bring recreational services.

"With the strength of both organizations, it will be beneficial," Boosel said, adding that there are several things that still have to be worked out.

Services will begin later this month and will run six days a week. The gymnasium, kitchen, impact center, and other space will be open for programs. A calendar will be set up to keep track of activities, Boosel said.

Moeller, YMCA executive director, said they are "ecstatic" to be working with the housing authority, which fits in with the YMCA's long term plans. He said the partnership is what the association is all about.

"We hope to develop a community-based program that (residents) want and need," Moeller said.

In other business, the Mercer County Housing Authority adopted new utility allowances Wednesday for its public housing units and Centennial Place based on an engineering survey done by National Facility Consultants.

The new allowances will be phased in with the fiscal year beginning July 1 and will be activated for each resident at the date of their annual reexamination.



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