The City of Allentown has launched Allentown Works, a bold new initiative designed to expand access to jobs, training, and opportunity for residents across the city.
Anchored in a shared mission of building stronger, more equitable communities, the program connects residents with the resources they need to thrive—childcare, workforce training, education, and reliable transportation.
WRT is proud to support this effort in partnership with The Reinvestment Fund, helping to shape the strategy and framework that will guide Allentown Works in achieving its ambitious goals. Together, our teams provided research, planning, and design support to structure a program that bridges community needs with long-term investment in economic stability.
"Allentown Works highlights the power of authentic community partnerships and capacity building where residents are working within their neighborhoods and alongside city leadership, employers, nonprofits, and institutions to advance together towards stable, long-term employment in economically distressed communities, " said Hannah Clark, AICP, WRT Associate and Urban Planner for the project. "Our work alongside the Reinvestment Fund and our client partners has focused on ensuring that the program reflects the voices of the community and positions Allentown Works to deliver lasting impact."
Allentown Works focuses on transformation through Four Pillars:
1. Local Employment
Connecting residents with Resource Navigators, training, and career pathways.
2. Childcare Access
Expanding affordable, reliable childcare to support working families.
3. Transportation Options
Improving flexible, reliable transit to shorten commutes and reduce costs.
4. High-Opportunity Industries
Growing career pathways in healthcare and manufacturing while creating local jobs.
By 2030, Allentown Works aims to connect more than 650 residents with high-opportunity jobs and reduce unemployment in priority neighborhoods by 60%.
Building a More Equitable Future
Through this collaboration, WRT and The Reinvestment Fund have helped the City of Allentown establish a foundation for inclusive economic growth. The work reflects WRT’s broader mission to design resilient, equitable communities and demonstrates how thoughtful planning and partnerships can create real opportunities for residents.