READING, Pa. – Dusty floors. Empty rooms. But for Olivet Boys & Girls Club, this space is full of promise.
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan toured the Mulberry Street club, closed since 2023, as renovations officially get underway.
“We get the opportunity to come to two different locations and see the build-out for new facilities for our kids, the most precious future resource that we have,” Houlahan said.
Houlahan helped secure funding for the project.
“We’ve got $1 million in both RACP and HUD funding,” said Olivet CEO Rick Perez. “So that $2 million will go into both PAL and Mulberry and reopening both clubs here, and just giving them a refresh in that environment that our youth deserve.”
Walking through the building, Olivet leaders say upgrades will touch nearly every part of the space, from HVAC systems to new flooring and plumbing fixtures.
“Altogether, the project is approximately $2 million,” said Olivet COO Nick Philippides. “And at this site, we’ll be renovating a wide variety of things.”
The goal is to reopen by this summer, serving more than 100 kids each day.
“This is absolutely one of those good uses for money and resources,” Houlahan said. “And I’m really proud we were able to bring those resources back to our community.”