Bresnahan Announces $1 Million for Early Childhood Education in Kingston

KINGSTON, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) joined local community leaders for a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding he secured for the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania on behalf of the Friedman Jewish Community Center (JCC). The investment will go towards the expansion of the Illumination Early Learning Center to accommodate more children while fostering partnerships with local educational institutions to train new instructors.

"We need to make it easier for parents to provide for their families. We also need to make sure our communities have the workforce they need to grow," said Rep. Bresnahan. "When parents can find reliable childcare, they can get to work. When we train more childcare professionals, we can open more classrooms and serve more families. By expanding the Illumination Early Learning Center to serve more children and creating a facility to train the next generation of early childhood educators, this investment addresses both sides of that problem."

Rep. Bresnahan was joined by JCC Past President Greg Fellerman, JCC Board President Jane Messinger, JCC Board Member William Grant, JCC Chief Operating Officer Jim Gillespie, Sandra Lee Weaver Charney with State Rep. Brenda Pugh's office, and Mark Grochocki with State Sen. Lisa Baker's office.

This project is one of 13 that Rep. Bresnahan secured federal funding for in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, including investments in wastewater infrastructure, roads, bridges, housing, and law enforcement.

"I want to thank the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania and everyone who worked to bring this project to the finish line," continued Rep. Bresnahan. "Our office is proud to help deliver this $1 million investment to Kingston, and I look forward to seeing the new facility take share, and most importantly, seeing more children and families benefit from it."

Additional photos from the event can be found here.