May is Community Action Month
Bucks County Opportunity Council relies on private as well as government funding to provide services to low-income individuals, families, and seniors.

As the leading non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Bucks County, BCOC needs your help to continue to provide these services. Here are a few ways you can partner with us to Be Community Action . James, whose story is below, and all past and future clients will greatly appreciate it!

#BeCommunityAction!
For 69-year-old James, our new Street Outreach Program couldn’t have started at a better time -- he was living in his car from June to November, 2017. James spent nights in parking lots along Street Road or anywhere he felt he wouldn’t be noticed. But with winter coming, James was desperate for help. He had worked in advertising and photography, but in the last few years had been the full-time caretaker for his mother, and had been living with her in her home. When she passed away at the age of 98, he was unable to keep up the house and found himself homeless. Luckily for James he was steered toward BCOC, and met Allen, the Bucks County Opportunity Council’s new Street Outreach case manager. With Allen’s assistance James eventually was placed temporarily in the County Emergency Homeless Center, where he stayed for six weeks. Using the computer at the shelter and at the Levittown Library located next door, James researched places he could afford to live. Today he has his own room in a boarding home. “I was looking for a hand up, not a hand out,” James said. He pays it forward helping out at the local Senior Center, and hopes to find a part-time job.

A place to live, food, a job that pays a living wage—these are things that most of us take for granted. Yet for some in our community, they are out of reach. Job loss, an illness that depletes savings, the breakup of a family—all contribute to poverty. In the third wealthiest county in Pennsylvania, 6.6% of our residents are poor. Almost half (48%) of the renters in Bucks County are “rent burdened,” defined as paying more than 30% of their income for rent.

BCOC’s Street Outreach Case Manager, Allen, literally meets people where they are: in encampments, tents, cars—he recalls meeting one couple who was living out of storage unit in Lower Bucks County. He then works to re-direct them to housing resources and stability. Last year, BCOC prevented 1,194 people from being evicted and helped 323 homeless people find permanent housing. In total, 9,773 Bucks neighbors were provided emergency services, food, shelter, coaching and support . People like James, who was able to get back on his feet with our help. 

Consider the Opportunities

Matching Gifts

Many companies provide matching gifts to employees, retirees and/or spouses. You can double your gift to the Opportunity Council; Ask your employer if they provide matching gift opportunities. Your human resources or personnel office should be able provide information on how to match your gift.

Gift of Appreciated Securities

Appreciated securities such as stocks and bonds are another great way to donate. You can avoid the capital-gains from a sale of the security as well as receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the security. For more information on how to make a gift of appreciated securities, contact Joe Cuozzo at 215-345-8175 x 204 or jcuozzo@bcoc.org .

 
Adopt A Family

You can support a local family that’s working toward economic self-sufficiency. BCOC matches sponsors with a Bucks County family working to improve their lives and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Donors help their sponsored family by filling a family's “wish list” during the year, helping families in large ways and small which can prevent crisis and build a better future. A BCOC Coach works with every recipient family to identify their most pressing needs, and every family is engaged in a long-term process of assessment, income maximization, education and job search in order to help the family make progress over time, and eventually to leave poverty permanently.  Learn more about Adopt-A-Family

Monthly Giving

A monthly gift helps us plan for the future knowing we can count on you for regular support. Donations are automatically deducted every month from your credit or debit card. Your donation will go immediately to help someone in need in Bucks County.  
Fresh Connect:
New site opens next week!

Fresh Connect in Warminster starts in June! This will be the third site of the program that offers free produce to qualified Bucks County families . Print and share the flyer For more information, visit Fresh Connect .

Tuesdays beginning June 5th, 2018
Warminster Community Park
1100 Veterans Way, Warminster
12 - 1 PM
hands_hearts_hdr.jpg
VOLUNTEER

Fresh Connect is a volunteer-based project, which means community help is needed at each site, each week, year round! We need YOUR help.

Sign up at one or all three of our Fresh Connect sites:
#WeR1000Strong
#CommunityActionWorks

The mission of the Bucks County Opportunity Council is to reduce poverty, and partner with our community to promote economic self-sufficiency.
100 Doyle Street, Doylestown PA 18901
215-345-8175
www.bcoc.org