Water Street Mission Receives $125,000 Grant to Help Teens Named 2023 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards Recipient

Lancaster, PA (February 2023) – Water Street Mission has been named the recipient of a $125,000 grant through the annual Chick-fil-A® True Inspiration Awards® program. This grant will directly support the Mission’s Teen Haven program which provides programs and enrichment for local middle and high school students.

Teen Haven, a ministry of Water Street Mission, provides a safe, fun, and loving environment for students in Lancaster. The ministry provides mentorship and spiritual direction, as well as fun learning programs that emphasize skills in STEM fields and the arts. The True Inspiration grant will further Teen Haven’s mission of building meaningful relationships with teens in Lancaster city and setting them on a path toward leadership and purpose. The grant will allow Teen Haven to develop and expand its programming to include the following:

• Music program for writing, recording, and beat-making
• 3D printing program to create electric parts and circuitry
• Creative arts programs for clay and sculpting
• Increasing STEM-focused programs

“At the core of our Teen Haven program lies mentorship and relationship. We believe that teens grow best when they have a role model and someone to show them they personally care about their lives and futures,” elaborates Jack Crowley, President of Water Street Mission. “Receiving this award means our students can develop deeper connections with their mentors and build stronger foundations for years to come.”  

Water Street Mission is one of just 46 national True Inspiration Awards grant recipients in 2023 that are receiving a collective $5 million. To be selected for a grant, organizations must work to address key issues that align with Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility priorities. Votes were also cast through the Chick-fil-A app to boost an organization’s

chances of being selected as a finalist. Thanks in part to the votes cast here in Lancaster, Water Street Mission was selected as a winner.

The True Inspiration Awards were established in 2015 to carry on Chick-fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy’s legacy of generosity and community service. Since that time, 250 grants have been distributed to organizations located across 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, impacting more than 3.5 million people. Individual grants range from $30,000 to $350,000.

“Through our True Inspiration Awards grant program, Chick-fil-A helps empower local nonprofits that are leading positive change and creating tangible impact throughout the communities they serve,” said Brent Fielder, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “This year, we added a new grant category – Caring for our Planet – to help support additional nonprofits that act as good stewards of the planet we share. It is our pleasure to invest in the growth and legacy of all our 2023 recipient organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

To learn more about the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards program, visit chickfila.com/true-inspiration-awards.

About Chick-fil-A, Inc.  

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a restaurant company known for the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich and signature hospitality. Represented by more than 190,000 Team Members, Operators, and Staff, Chick-fil-A® restaurants serve guests freshly prepared food

at more than 2,800 restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The family-owned and privately held restaurant company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy and is committed to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate.     

Known for its leadership and growth opportunities, in 2022 Chick-fil-A was named a Best Employer in America by Forbes and a top company for career opportunities for Black employees by Glassdoor. The company was also awarded the Employee’s Choice by Glassdoor honoring top CEOs and was named a Culture 500 Culture Champion in 2020. A leader in customer service, Chick-fil-A was named QSR magazine’s Drive-Thru Restaurant of the Year in 2021. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at chick-fil-a.com and @ChickfilANews. 

About Water Street Mission

Since 1905, Water Street Mission has provided an environment of hope and healing where at-risk men, women, and children in Lancaster County can find a hand-up and restoration with God. In response to Christ’s love, they join with His mission to walk with neighbors who are experiencing marginalization and poverty, trusting Him to transform lives and restore hope. In addition to food and shelter, all guests experiencing homelessness have access to medical, dental, behavioral health, spiritual, and career support while on campus.

Water Street Mission additionally serves the community through its food bank, known as the Outreach Center, its teen program known as Teen Haven, and its Pre-K and Kindergarten school known as Wonder Academy. For more information about the programs and services of Water Street Mission, visit WSM.org.

About Teen Haven

Teen Haven launches teens from Lancaster City into a life of leadership and purpose. By providing a healthy community to thrive and mentoring them to become leaders in their city, churches, and schools, Teen Haven is building a better foundation for a brighter future. It hosts weekly programs and events at their main location on Queen Street and also connects with students at various school campuses in Lancaster city. For more information about the programs and services of Water Street Mission, visit wsm.org/teens.