Bayfront East Side Taskforce

🚨 Only ONE WEEK away! BEST’s National Night Out is almost here! 🚨
​Hey Neighbors! 👋
​Mark your calendars because National Night Out 2026 is officially one week from today!
​We can’t wait to bring our community together for an evening filled with great food, friendly faces, big smiles, and fun for all ages. Check out some memories from past years—we’re ready to make even more this time around! 🍔🎈🚒
🌳6th & Parade Orchard🌳
August 4th, 2026
5PM - 7 PM

🏡 B.E.S.T. Aging in Place Project – Details & How to Apply! 💙
We’ve received a lot of great questions about our Aging in Place Project, so here is a clear breakdown of what’s included, who qualifies, and how to get started!

⚠️ Please note: Funding and materials are limited, so grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis!
🛠️ What Upgrades Are Included?
Through this program, eligible residents can receive up to $1,500 in FREE minor home safety modifications, which may include:

Bathroom safety grab bars & raised toilet seats
Stair handrails, non-slip stair treads, & rug safety tape
Lever door handles
Window A/C units, and more!

📋 Qualification Guidelines & Boundaries
To help ensure applications can be approved quickly, please review these key eligibility requirements:
Age Requirement: Applicants must be 50 years of age or older.

Current Residence: The home must be your primary, current residence (the program cannot cover vacant properties or secondary homes).

Neighborhood Boundaries: The property must be located within the B.E.S.T. service area:
North: Front Street
South: North side of E. 6th Street (Please note: Properties on the south side of E. 6th Street or beyond fall outside this grant's boundaries).
West: East side of State Street
East: West side of the Bayfront Connector

Renters Welcome! If you rent your home, you are welcome to apply! However, your landlord or property owner must sign off and agree to the application before an assessment or any modifications can be made.

📩 How to Get Your Application (First-Come, First-Served!)

Because spots are limited, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible:

📄 Download & Print: Access the application directly at

Besterie.org/what-we-do/resources.html

📞 Call Us: Contact our team directly at 814-456-7062 ex 3 to ask questions or request an application.
💬 Send a Message: Drop a comment below or send us a direct message here on Facebook, and we’ll be happy to help!
Let’s keep our neighborhood safe and comfortable together! Please tag or share this with anyone in our boundaries who might benefit! 💙

Resources, Grants & Neighborhood Assistance : What We Do : Bayfront East Side Taskforce B.E.S.T. Grant Resources The Bayfront East Side Taskforce provides neighborhood homeowners the opportunity to access grant funding to improve and rehab their…

B.E.S.T. to Host National Night Out at The Orchard The Bayfront Eastside Taskforce (B.E.S.T.) is hosting its annual National Night Out on August 4 at The Orchard, aiming to foster community connection and celebrate the Eastside neighborhood.

🏡 Applications are OPEN for B.E.S.T.’s Aging in Place Project! 💛
​Home is where the heart is, and we want to help our older neighbors stay safe, comfortable, and independent right at home.
​Through our SPP Aging in Place Project, we are providing FREE minor home modifications (up to $1,500) for neighborhood residents!
​🛠️ Free upgrades include:
​Bathroom safety grab bars & raised seats
​Railings, stair treads, & rug safety tape
​Lever handles, window A/C units, and more!
​📍 Who qualifies?
​Neighbors aged 50+
​Living within: Front St. ➔ North side of E. 6th St. | East side of State St. ➔ West side of the Bayfront Connector.
​📩 Interested or know someone who is? Drop us a message or comment below to get application details! Let's take care of our community together. 💙
​

🌟 Support the Heart of Erie this Erie Gives Day 🌟

🏡 Big news for our Eastside seniors! 🏡
​The second round of our Aging in Place neighborhood home audits officially kicks off next week!
​What does "Aging in Place" mean? It’s all about making sure you or your loved ones can live safely, comfortably, and independently in your own home as you age.
Over the next few weeks, B.E.S.T.’s very own Antwanette and Doug will be out in the neighborhood conducting these room-by-room safety assessments. They'll be looking at simple but crucial ways to improve:

​🦽 Accessibility & Mobility: (Ensuring safe entryways and clear walkways)
​🛑 Fall Prevention: (Checking handrails and home safety hazards)
​🚨 Emergency Preparedness & Tech

​Keep an eye out for Antwanette and Doug next week! Let’s work together to keep our community safe, accessible, and thriving. 💙
​

🌟 Mark Your Calendars, Eastside! National Night Out 2026 is almost here! 🌟
​At B.E.S.T., we believe that building a stronger community starts right in our own neighborhoods, by connecting with the people next door. That’s why we are so excited to invite you to our annual BEST National Night Out!
​Come out to connect with your neighbors, share some great food, and enjoy meaningful conversations about how we can continue to lift up our community together.
​Here are the details:
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: The Orchard on E. 6th and Parade (the big lot on the corner with the trees!)
🤝 In Partnership With: Youth Leadership Institute
​This event is all about celebrating our roots, creating real connections, and building a brighter future together. Bring the family, say hello, and let's celebrate what makes our community great.
​We can't wait to see you there! 🏡✨
​

Please join us in welcoming Antwanette Petty to the Bayfront East Side Taskforce (B.E.S.T) team as our new Communications and Outreach Coordinator!

A proud Eastside Erie native, Antwanette brings more than 25 years of experience in community engagement, housing, relationship building, and neighborhood revitalization. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside residents, nonprofits, local organizations, and community partners to connect people with resources and help strengthen neighborhoods.

As Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Antwanette will help build meaningful relationships with residents, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and community partners while sharing the stories, opportunities, and initiatives that make East Bayfront a vibrant place to live, work, and grow.

"I'm honored to serve the community that helped shape who I am," Antwanette shared. "I look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside our residents and partners as we continue building a stronger Eastside together."

Please join us in giving Antwanette a warm BEST welcome! If you see her at a neighborhood meeting, community event, or out on the Eastside, be sure to introduce yourself and say hello.

Welcome to the B.E.S.T family, Antwanette !

Friendly Reminder, Meeting one is today. Hope to see you there!

📢 Your Voice Matters, Erie!
The future of our bayfront belongs to all of us, and now is the time to share your ideas, concerns, and vision for what comes next.
We encourage residents, business owners, community organizations, and stakeholders to participate in the One Bayfront planning process by completing the community survey and attending the upcoming Open House.

No single person or organization can speak for all of Erie. Building a stronger waterfront and a stronger community requires many voices, perspectives, and experiences. This is an opportunity to help shape a vision that reflects the people who live, work, and invest in our city.
Please share this information with your neighbors, family, friends, and community networks. Together, we can ensure the future of Erie’s bayfront reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.