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At its monthly Board Meeting today, the Casino Reinvestment
Development Authority (CRDA) Board of Directors approved a fund reservation for a grant totaling
$2,169,974.47 to fund a three-year initiative named the Collaborative Health, Education and Community
(CHEC) initiative.
Grant funds will be used to expand workforce development and college readiness programming, as well
as offer access to new healthcare services and trauma informed mental health case management for
100 Atlantic City teens annually, between the ages of 13 to 18 years old. This initiative is a first of its
kind multi-pronged approach that seeks to adopt a comprehensive strategy to addresses trauma,
emotional and behavioral health for youth and to fill in the gaps in social services currently offered in
Atlantic City.
The CHEC initiative will lay the foundation to establish a network of partners that are solely focused on
providing services for Atlantic City's youth. These partners include AtlantiCare, Atlantic Cape Community
College, American Red Cross, Borgata, Apple, Drexel University, Covenant House, Mudgirls Studios,
Volunteers of America, Spectra, ServSafe, Adobe and OSHA. It will build and expand upon initiatives
that were supported by the CRDA in the past such as the Earn Learn & Explore program and Community
Collaboration.
"The CRDA remains steadfast in reinvesting in Atlantic City's youth through the support of the Boys and
Girls Club's CHEC initiative," said CRDA Board Chairman Modia Butler. "We are proud to continue to
support an organization who is committed to providing critical services to Atlantic City's youth."
The CHEC initiative will provide access to behavioral health and physical health services by licensed
professionals during out of school hours at the club. A new feature that is rare for organizations
throughout the city of Atlantic City.
"Access to mental health services and trauma informed case management are critical tools to helping
Atlantic City's youth," said CRDA Deputy Executive Director, Rose Farias. "This multi-year grant reaffirms
CRDA's commitment to providing critical services to our youth."
The total grant for this initiative is $2,169,974.47 payable over a three-year period: (Year 1 -
$634,285.62; Year 2 - $765,072.41; Year 3 -$770,616.45.
Over the past year during the pandemic, The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City has strengthened and
expanded their mission to serve not only Club Kids, but also their families and the greater Atlantic City
community. Highlights of recent changes include collaborating with the Community Food Bank of New
Jersey to distribute over 13,000 meals to Club families and the greater community; partnering with local
businesses to provide virtual culinary learning.
Board actions will take effect following the expiration of the Governor's statutory review period.
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About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for
meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District
Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development
agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and
clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its
size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more
than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments
and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects,
visit www.njcrda.com, and follow us on Facebook and
Twitter.
For complete Atlantic City tourism information, visit www.doatlanticcity.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
