Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: Please enjoy this beautiful rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing by Brianna Arroyo. Brianna is a local student from Norristown Area School District. Thank you, Brianna! Thank you to the MontCo 2024 Black History Month committee for sharing.

Please continue to keep us informed of what's happening with you in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The information here comes from you, with links to our website for more complete information and resources. Send your events and updates to Kristyn: [email protected]. Thank you!

Warmly,

Kristyn DiDominick, Executive Director

Payal Mohan, Associate Director

Board of Directors

1/23 Leveling Up: From Building Intercultural Competence to Practicing Cultural Humility

All are welcome at this second session! Attendance at the first session is not a pre-requisite. We will share session one materials in advance.

2024 B-JEDI Series!

Belonging - Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

On January 16, the Mennonite community is coordinating a day of action in DC for all interested in asking our federal representatives to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Learn more!

For individuals interested in attending the DC mobilization, they highly encourage you to attend a virtual DC Peace School training in advance.

If you cannot attend in DC, they are circulating a petition for signature if applicable to you.

2024 Black History Month National Theme: African Americans & the Arts

MontCo Black History Month:

Learn more about these virtual and in-person events and celebrations!

Coalition for Racial Equity

and Social Justice

Racial Healing: How Can We Create A Culture Of Belonging In The US?

January 15, 2024 is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. As we celebrate an American Icon, we also want to reflect on race relations in the United States. More than half a century ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Today, many questions remain about race relations and racial healing in the United States. 

The Coalition invites you to join in this discussion on racial healing in the United States. The presentation and discussion will cover, among other things, what Black Americans were asking for during the enslavement of Black people, forcibly brought to the then New World (now the United States of America) under inhumane conditions, and mistreated for decades; what they asked for during the Reconstruction period, during the Civil Rights era, and finally today. Do not miss this important dialogue and session. 

Register here

Save the Date!

Foundations Community Partnership

March 20, 2024, 8:45 - 11:15 a.m.

Bucks County Community College

Official invitation and registration information will follow in early February.

Bylaws: The "Constitution" of Nonprofits - The Art & Science of Making Them Work

January 24, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Very few people bother to look at their nonprofit bylaws – until they want to take some unusual action or there is a dispute. And that’s when you need bylaws that work! There is both art and science in drafting nonprofit bylaws that work. Well-written bylaws help shape power relationships within a nonprofit organization, provide unambiguous procedures to prevent disputes, and reduce the risks of litigation. They should provide answers, not raise questions. They are the “Constitution” of a nonprofit corporation. This webinar will answer all your bylaws questions.

Learn more and sign up here!

Storytelling as a Leadership Practice

January 30, 11:00 AM – 12:00

Effectively communicating your call to leadership is essential to inspiring action. This virtual storytelling workshop, facilitated by social change strategist Erin Finucane, invites participants to reflect on the opportunity they have to create change and to develop their personal call to leadership. The workshop will begin with an introduction to storytelling through the public narrative framework, digging into how it has been utilized by some of the world’s most impactful leaders.

• Identify storytelling best practices and lessons learned;

• Use your voice to successfully advocate for change; and,

• Translate your values into action through storytelling/public narrative.

Register here

Upcoming Discussions and Trainings

Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP)

January 17 at 2pm: Join the next CTIPP CAN call to discuss trauma-informed cross-sector/system transformation. 

January 22 at 1pm: Join the training: Employing a Trauma-Informed Approach in Justice Systems with Becky Haas: Learn actions to avoid re-traumatizing, employing de-escalation tools to reduce use-of-force, ensuring safety for all, reducing recidivism, and promoting recovery.

January 30 at 2pm: Join the training: Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals with Greater Richmond SCAN to identify symptoms and warning signs of traumatic stress as well as learn the differences between three common trauma exposure responses: secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout.

January 30 at 12pm: Join the “Community is Medicine” webinar, which will describe the need, methods, and many benefits of organizing Resilience Coordinating Networks in communities worldwide that use a public health approach to build population-level mental wellness and transformational resilience for the rising stresses and disasters generated by the global climate crisis.

Manna's Common Grounds Food Service Training Program is seeking referrals for their free, eight-week program, scheduled to begin on Monday February 5th. 

Participants and graduates will receive meals and groceries, transportation costs covered, ServSafe certification, job placement assistance, and a free Chromebook for all graduates. For more information, please contact Sue Jurina at sue [email protected] or 215-353-3727.

Please share widely!

If Affirmative Action is Dead, What Now?

BySanaa Scott-Wheeler

“Colleges and universities now face much greater challenges including renewed legal risk in trying to diversify their student body, the benefits of which even Justice Roberts in his majority opinion acknowledged. Beyond an enriched social milieu, student body diversity confers proven lasting gains for all students and their institutions in shared academic knowledge, new discoveries, and even increased research dollars.” Read more.

SEPTA: Bus Revolution Final Draft



The final draft of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution's proposed Bus Network Redesign has been released.The Bus Revolution project aims to increase service reliability with more frequent buses and on-demand services. SEPTA’s board will vote on the plan in January; if approved, service changes will go into effect in Summer 2024.

For more information, visit the site.



Thank you to Partnership TMA of Montgomery County for sharing!

The Fiscal Cliff Has Arrived — and With It, Cuts, Layoffs, and Crisis. A Look at 2024’s Hunt for Revenue Chronicle of Philanthropy



“What happens once that funding disappears?” asks Mayo, who says that charities will now “need to look to other sources of revenues” to retain those workers and services once propped up by relief programs. Though government revenue is often volatile — subject to political tides and bureaucratic wrangling — there is little precedent for such a rapid surge, and subsequent decline, in funding.”

Read more

Children First HelpLine is Moving to PHAN



As of January 3, 2024, Pennsylvania Health Action Network (PHAN) will support and manage the 20-year HelpLine previously led by Children First, embedding it in PHAN operations that has, for more than a decade, reliably assisted individuals in finding affordable health insurance options across the state. If you know of a family in need of health care coverage for their children, please contact PHAN’s helpline, call or text 877-570-3642 or email [email protected]. Thank you, Children First and PHAN!

Partnership in Youth Services Grants

Foundations Community Partnership

FCP is now accepting applications for its Partnership in Youth Services (PYS) Grant cycle. Eligible nonprofits can apply for up to $4,500 by February 1, 2024. After completing a brief, online application, select applicants will be invited to discuss their project with members of FCP's Board of Directors. “We continue our tradition of recognizing and supporting nonprofits that are dedicated to helping solve community problems, and enhancing the quality of life for children, young adults, and families in Bucks County,” said Abigail Halloran, Chair of FCP’s Board of Directors. “With this grant cycle, we focus on nonprofits applying to FCP for the first time and those that have not applied to us in the past 5 years.” Learn more and apply!

General Operating Support

Foundations Community Partnership

Grants range in value up to $50,000 and support non-profit organizations focused on the behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County, Pa. Click here to learn more about this grant program and its eligibility requirements. Submit your LOI via FCP's online grant management system by January 15, 2024. Only submissions that fully meet the criteria will be reviewed. Questions? E-mail [email protected].

Gender Justice Fund

The Welcome Project PA

Thanks to the Gender Justice Fund via the Trans Resilience Fund, The Welcome Project PA can provide a limited number of short-term microgrants for transgender and gender nonconforming folks in need (including the parents of trans kids).

Grants are restricted to the Greater Philadelphia area and are contingent upon available funding. Please use the following link for more information and to apply.

Application Period Open for Montco 2040 Implementation Grants

MCPC is accepting applications from municipalities and their partners for the 2024 funding cycle of the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program. The budget for this popular program is $2.5 million, which will be available to implement the goals of the comprehensive plan on a local level. Focus categories are listed below. Other project types that meet the goals of the county comprehensive plan may also be eligible. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2024. More Information

• Walk Montco and Bike Montco – Trails, Paths, Sidewalk Connections, and Bike Facilities

• Support of Downtowns and Community Destinations

• Adaptation and Resiliency

For a full listing of Alzheimer's Association education programs and caregiver support groups in the Delaware Valley area, please visit their community resource finder.

Love Your Heart, Love Your Brain Symposium

Tuesday, February 6, 1:00-3:30pm Generations, Souderton

In honor of heart month and the connection there is between heart and brain health, the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter will present this free symposium.

Attendees will hear from local experts on healthy habits for your brain, heart health, therapeutic movement for healthier aging and quality of life, and living with thankfulness and gratitude to reduce stress. Register today and be inspired to take action for positive change to foster heart and brain health! 

January at Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services marks the start of tax season. Thanks to the generosity of AARP volunteers, GHNPSS is able to offer free tax preparation services at both Encore and PEAK. Generally, this service is open to low- to moderate-income income households under $60,000/year. These spots fill up fast so you are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.

• Sign-Ups begin for GHNPSS members: Jan 15

• Open Sign-Ups: January 22

You can sign up via phone by calling between 8 am and 4 pm. For Encore, dial 215-256-6900, press 1 then 1 again. For PEAK, dial 215-362-7432, press 2 then 1. You can also sign up by stopping by the Center where you would like to have your tax preparation done. If you have questions about the service offered or if you qualify, please call their Social Service Coordinator, Carol, at 215-362-7432 ext. 203.

Learn more about these programs happening too:

Download Encore's January Special Programs Here

Download PEAK's January Special Programs Here

Martha’s Community Corner

Martha’s Choice Marketplace

This program is designed to help celebrate our community and create spaces for people to use their skills, experiences and knowledge to support and inspire each other in a positive way through volunteering. Learn more and volunteer!

Montgomery County Implements New Code Blue Declaration Threshold

The Montgomery County Commissioners, with the support of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announce a change to the threshold for which a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency is declared. Effective December 18, 2023, a Code Blue will be declared when overnight temperatures or wind chill are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. Winter weather can be very dangerous and deadly for those who do not have adequate shelter. During the winter season from November through March, Montgomery County implements a winter weather, or “Code Blue,” emergency plan. In periods of severe weather based on forecasts from the National Weather Service, HHS’s Office of Public Health issues a Code Blue in order to provide temporary shelter, food, and clothing to those in need. 

“Winter can be hard for many people, particularly the unhoused, seniors and others who are more vulnerable in our society,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By changing the Code Blue threshold from 20 degrees to 32 degrees, we’ll be able to activate more Code Blue Shelters and offer a higher standard of safety for those who are unhoused.”

Residents of Montgomery County who need shelter during a Code Blue can call the Your Way Home Call Center at 2-1-1 or text 898-211.