Destiny Outreach program protests decision at Johnstown City Council meeting

A protest was staged Wednesday evening at a regularly scheduled Johnstown City Council meeting.

Representatives from Jefferson Memorial Church showed up to the meeting in order to protest against a decision made by the city to deny them funds from the 30.5 million federal ARPA, or the American Rescue Plan Act.

The Jefferson Memorial Church and their Destiny Outreach program which provides meals for local children was one of 22 applications that was denied by the city.

The pastor of the church voiced his concerns to the council citing the need for help in marginalized neighborhoods such as Moxham in which their church serves.

“We need help," said Bishop Joseph McGauley, Pastor of Jefferson Memorial Church. "We’re in such debt right now. We fed kids all throughout Covid while everything was shut down ... We were delivering bundles of food to kids. We were serving each child 5 different meals. Who does that? And we’re still trying to dig out of that hole and they knew it and refused to do anything for us.”

The protest was organized with the help of activist John DeBartola with one purpose in mind.

“We are here just to find out why?" said Bishop McGauley. "That’s why we brought over 50 kids. Those were just the kids that we fed tonight. That was just tonight. Tomorrow it might be double, we never know. My wife works so hard and I had to speak up for those babies. I had to speak up for my wife and the church.”

But the City Council says that there are other avenues that can be pursued by those that were denied and that the council had no part in the decision process.

“That task was handed off by city council to the city administration so no one on council would be involved in those choices etc.." said Johnstown Mayor Frank J. Janakovic. "100 percent from the city hall administration were basically looking at those projects that were submitted and choosing those that they felt were the best projects and awarding money to those projects in particular.”

Mayor Janakovic advised that those non-profits which were denied ARPA funding should try to find other resources such as contacting local representatives or legislators, congressmen as well as local foundations. He further explained that the ARPA grants were broken down categorically into areas such as home repairs, first home owner aid, non-profits, and many others.

To support the Jefferson Memorial Church Destiny Outreach program you can:

- Email Bishop McGauley at Bishjmcgauley3@outlook.com

- Call (814) 242-6933

- Or send mail to 325 William Penn Ave. Johnstown, PA 15901

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