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As we close NOVA’s 50th anniversary year, I am struck by how deeply our mission resonates in our community. For five decades, NOVA has been a source of healing and hope for those whose lives have been forever changed by crime.
The work we do is not just important—it’s essential. Whether helping a child bravely share their story, supporting survivors as they rebuild their lives, or teaching young people the skills to form safe, healthy relationships, NOVA’s impact is life-changing.
This work would not be possible without you. Your dedication and generosity ensure that NOVA remains a lifeline for those who need us most. As we enter our 51st year, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission. Together, we will continue to create a stronger, more compassionate community.
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50th Anniversary Milestone: Wrapping Up Our 50th Year Serving Bucks County
As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank you for taking a walk down memory lane with us as we highlighted NOVA’s programs and services over the past 50 years. Through each highlight, we’ve reflected on the growth of our organization, the challenges we’ve overcome, and our unwavering commitment to supporting victims of crime, advocating for justice, and creating safer communities.
NOVA’s story began as Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR), a grassroots initiative launched by a small group of dedicated volunteers determined to address sexual violence in our community. From those modest beginnings, we have grown into the organization we are today—Network of Victim Assistance—serving Bucks County with a team of 108 staff members and over 200 volunteers. This growth reflects not only the dedication of those who started this journey but also the collective passion and effort of everyone who has joined along the way.
From NOVA’s founding in 1974 to our current standing as a leader in victim services, we’ve evolved alongside our community, continually responding to its needs. These historical highlights have allowed us to honor the work of those who paved the way and celebrate the milestones that have shaped who we are today.
As we move into a new year, NOVA remains dedicated to strengthening our programs and services, advocating for victim rights, and ensuring that every voice is heard. Thank you for being part of this journey, and for your continued support as we look to the future.
Together, we can build on our legacy of hope, healing, and resilience.
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The Holidays Can Be A Difficult Time... And That's Okay | |
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The holiday season is often celebrated as a time for family, joy, and happiness. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone views this time of year in the same light. For some, the season can be a reminder of hardship, loss, or ongoing struggles.
Whether it’s navigating the healing process as a victim or survivor of a crime, or supporting a loved one who is dealing with trauma, this time of year can be particularly challenging. As you engage with others this season, we encourage you to approach interactions with empathy, understanding, and compassion. A small act of kindness or a moment of patience can make a world of difference to someone in need.
If you or someone you know is struggling, there are ways to help cope during this time of year. Having a plan as the holidays approach can make a big difference in managing these challenges:
Change Traditions: Decide which traditions to keep, and which to let go. Some plans may need to be altered to accommodate the needs/requests of victims or yourself. Keep in mind the physical needs of those who may have acquired a disability as a result of victimization.
Create a Special Tribute (if coping with a holiday without a loved one): There are ways to honor the memory of a loved one who has died. Candles can be lit, a space at the table can be left, flowers can be placed somewhere, or a special dish can be prepared. Special memories of that person can be shared openly or written down.
Consider Carefully Where to Spend the Holidays: Surround yourself with friends and family who support and encourage you. If you are that friend and/or family member, be sure not to tell anyone how they should feel or state that you “understand” how they feel. Just be there, for whatever they need: a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, or just some company.
Counter the Conspiracy of Silence: Family members may consciously or unconsciously conspire to avoid mentioning the tragedy in your family. This is usually a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to protect your feelings. If this seems to be happening, take the initiative and talk to your family about the importance of talking openly about what has happened and sharing your feelings. Also, don’t be afraid to give yourself a “time out” or break from the discussion, if needed.
Protect Your Health: Eat healthy food and avoid over-indulging in sweets. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol. Take a multivitamin. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
Make Plans: Predictability can help to decrease anxiety. However, be sure to set boundaries and take some time for yourself if you need it.
Take Time for Self-Awareness: Notice how you feel and what you need in the moment and find a safe place or person.
Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your well-being and ask for support when you need it. Together, we can create a season filled with understanding and care.
No matter the time of year, NOVA is committed to remaining available and here for you during the holidays. Our 24/7 Helpline is always available at 1-800-675-6900.
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House Rules to Keep Your Family Safe this Holiday Season
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there may be an increased risk for your child to be exposed to abuse. Think about it—shopping, travel, time off from school, hectic schedules, incoming family and friends, etc. Rates of child sexual abuse tend to increase around the holidays. As caregivers, we can help make this season both safe and joyful with a few reminders.
Remember: Consent is Everything. During the holidays, you may have extended family and friends around your children... even some who may want to hug, kiss, or tickle your child. Empower your child to set their own boundaries about how they want to greet or say goodbye to others (yes, even grandma and grandpa). As their caregiver, it is important to support their boundaries. You may also need to remind the adults in their lives that they need to respect those boundaries as well. If a child says “no” or “stop,” their voices need to be respected.
Talk About Their “FAB FIVE.” At NOVA, we talk with children about the importance of knowing who their trusted adults are. Can your child come up with five adults in their life that they feel safe with? Caregivers can even help them create a “Safety Plan” to build their network. Write down five adults in their lives who are their safe adults and how they can get ahold of them if they would need to. Make sure your child knows that it is okay to go to those adults if something unsafe happens or they feel uncomfortable.
Develop a Family Safety Phrase. Identify a short phrase that your child can use to let their trusted adults know that they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Before you get together with family or friends, make sure your child remembers their safety phrase. It can be something very simple that they can say or text you in the moment. Use phrases along the lines of “Can we get ice-cream?” Just make sure that, as a caregiver, you are doing your part when you hear them use their safety phrase.
Know Your Environment. The holidays may bring extended family into town, or you may be traveling to other spaces you may not be as familiar with. Remind your children that we keep doors open when we visit with family or friends. Limiting one-on-one time with children or another adult may minimize their risk for potential abuse. Be attentive when children are playing together. If you haven’t seen or heard from them in a while, seek them out. This goes for technology as well. Different caregivers may allow varying access to technology, so it is important to remind your child what your family tech policy is.
If you would like to learn more ways to protect your family this holiday season, click here.
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Christine Sassane, Deputy District Attorney, Bucks County District Attorney's Office
Can you give a brief description of your role and the ways in which you collaborate with NOVA?
As a member of the District Attorney's Office Crash Investigation Unit, I work closely with the members of NOVA who are assigned to support the families and victims of serious crashes and DUI offenses.
How long have you been working with NOVA?
I've been with the District Attorney's Office for 6 years and a member of the Crash Investigation Unit for most of my time with the office.
What is your favorite part about working with NOVA?
These are very emotional cases that involve either a death or serious bodily injury that greatly alters the lives of those involved. NOVA is a great support for these families in some of the worst times of their lives. They are a lifesaver to the DA's Office by communicating court dates, helping with impact statements and applying for VCAP, for connecting grieving victims with counseling and therapy services, and being a comforting presence in the courtroom.
How do you support NOVA's mission in your role?
Whenever I get assigned to a new crash investigation, I immediately like to reach out to NOVA to get an advocate assigned. These investigations can take months before charges are approved and filed, and getting NOVA involved early is crucial to maintain that victim contact and victim support.
What is one thing people should know about NOVA?
The criminal justice system is a system that can be difficult to navigate even with a familiarity of the process. For families and victims of serious crash cases, pursuing justice for a loved one can be overwhelming at best. NOVA is a great resource for these families in their darkest times and the advocates provide a huge benefit to the prosecutors of these cases.
What would you like to call attention to during this National Impaired Driving Prevention Month?
In the years that I have been a crash and DUI prosecutor, we have only seen the crash and DUI numbers go up year to year. As the laws regarding marijuana use are changing, it is even more important to help the community understand the effects on driving when someone is under the influence of marijuana. The number of pedestrians and other drivers who are killed each year by impaired or distracted driving are trending in the wrong direction. It is imperative to the safety of our community to highlight and inform people of the dangers of impaired driving.
We appreciate your dedication to serving victims of crime!
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Smarter Parents, Safer Kids Workshop
December 12, 2024
This interactive workshop helps parents learn about healthy development, how to talk to their kids about sexual abuse, and how to keep them safe. The Smarter Parents program helps adult caregivers tackle tough conversations with their children, along with empowerment and support. Virtual and in-person sessions are available. Learn more and RSVP to your chosen session here.
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Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 2025
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. NOVA and The Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking (BCAT) have a lineup of awareness events planned to take place all month long, and we hope you will join us in spreading awareness! Stay tuned via our social media pages for the full calendar of events as we get closer to January.
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SuperNova: A Galactic Gala Benefiting NOVA
April 3, 2025
Before they went to the moon, they came here... Join us for a galactic gala under the historic Johnsville Centrifuge benefiting NOVA.
Mark your calendars for NOVA's 2025 Fundraising Gala: SuperNova! We're thrilled to announce this spectacular evening, happening on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at The Fuge. Get ready for an unforgettable night—tickets on sale now!
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NOVA Office & Thrift Shop Closures
The NOVA offices will be closing early at 12 PM on Friday, December 13th due to NOVA's annual holiday luncheon.
The NOVA offices will be closed:
- Wednesday, December 25th
- Wednesday, January 1st
NOVA Thrift Shop will be closed:
- Tuesday, December 24th
- Wednesday, December 25th
- Thursday, December 26th
- Tuesday, December 31st
- Wednesday, January 1st
NOVA's 24/7 Helpline will remain open and available at 1-800-675-6900.
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Pay A Visit to the NOVA Tree!
We are delighted to share the 2024 NOVA and NOVA Thrift Shop tree with the community. As a part of the Pearl S. Buck International Festival of Trees, this year's NOVA tree sparkles with vintage kitchen and holiday treasures, all handpicked directly from NOVA Thrift Shop! Visit the Pearl S. Buck House now through January 5th to experience this nostalgic masterpiece in all its glory. While you’re there, don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite tree!
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NOVA is Hiring!
NOVA is currently hiring for the following position:
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RFP Clinical Counselor I and II — NOVA’s Restoring Families Program (RFP) focuses on children aged 7-14 and their caregivers in a group format. NOVA wants this individual to become certified in Problematic Sexual Behavior - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) while managing the administrative work, conducting weekly therapy sessions, and attending consultation meetings. Counselors will also work with children and adults who are the victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes. This position would require participating in individual and group supervision and carrying a full caseload of clients who are involved in the Restoring Families Program as well as victims of crime and abuse, including their significant others. It will also include outreach and training for professionals and schools in the community on problematic sexual behaviors.
To learn more and how to apply, please visit novabucks.org/employment.
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Try the NOVA RX Savings Card!
NOVA has partnered with WellSync to provide essential medications at discounted rates, all while benefiting NOVA. Every time you use your card, NOVA receives a $2 donation at no cost to you. Make a difference with each medication purchase!
Click the image to the right to access and download your printable card.
Print this page and cut out the RX Savings Card along the dotted line. Take your card to any of the 35,000 participating pharmacies. Present your card with your valid prescription and the pharmacies will apply the discount.
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Celebrating 50 Years of Impact: A Call for Support as We Look to the Future
Imagine a grandmother losing her life savings through a scam, feeling betrayed and uncertain of her future. Now picture a young man who has endured years of abuse, finally finding the courage to speak out and seek help. Who will be there to comfort and counsel those victims, to help them find their path to hope and healing? For more than 50 years in Bucks County, the answer has been NOVA. In that time, we’ve helped more than 100,000 people in our community move from victim to survivor, to get their life back again after tragedy.
Now, as we look forward to the next 50 years of working toward a safer, healthier community for everyone, we are asking you to help NOVA. This holiday season, your contribution will help us provide life-changing support to survivors, strengthen our educational outreach, and enhance our ability to respond to the evolving needs of those we serve. Together, we can build on our legacy and ensure that NOVA remains a beacon of hope and healing for the next 50 years. On behalf of everyone at NOVA and the clients we serve, thank you for your support. We can’t do this without you.
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NOVA was honored to be part of the 73rd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet with the Bucks County NAACP. Our Executive Director, Penny Ettinger, and Prevention Coordinator, Alyssa Davis, joined an inspiring evening celebrating those who tirelessly uplift our community and advocate for civil rights. | |
The Central Bucks South Boys Lacrosse Team hosted their annual food drive and visited the NOVA office to assemble bags of donations for families in need. For 17 years, this team has shown up with compassion and dedication, helping to ease the burden on families facing challenging times. | |
NOVA joined forces with AAOTE for a special fundraising shopping event featuring a unique selection of handmade jewelry, with 20% of all sales being donated to NOVA. We are so grateful to AAOTE founder Tari Zarka for raising vital funds for NOVA! | |
NOVA was proud to co-sponsor and attend The Rainbow Room's Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil. Together, the Bucks County community united to honor the trans lives we’ve lost and to stand in solidarity to protect and support those still with us. | |
"My victim advocate was extremely helpful, kind, understanding, receptive, and very promptly communicative."
- NOVA Client
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NOVA announces new board members | The board is comprised of leaders from a variety of backgrounds and industries. | | | | |
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Central Bucks South Boys Lacrosse Team
Since November 2007, the CB South Lacrosse Team has been a steadfast supporter of NOVA and our mission to help victims and their families during the holidays through NOVA’s Holiday Gift Program. This year, they upheld their tradition of giving back by organizing a food drive and assembling holiday bags filled with essentials for families in need. Their efforts help to spread holiday cheer and provide much-needed support to NOVA’s clients, showcasing the power of community in action.
We were also thrilled to welcome the team's new head coach, John Kurek, who joined the group at NOVA’s office. The visit included an educational session with NOVA's Victim Advocate Coordinator, Stephanie Shantz, who shared insights about NOVA’s work and how their contributions directly impact the clients we serve.
We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Michele Lavin, the parent organizer for the team, whose dedication and coordination made this incredible effort possible.
| We are incredibly grateful for the CB South Lacrosse Team’s long-standing partnership, compassion, and generosity. Thank you for helping to make the holidays a bit brighter for those in need and for being Voices Against Violence! |
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Whether you donate an item from NOVA's wish list, funds, or your time, know you are making a difference. | |
Elevate Your Impact In Style
NOVA has merch! If you want to represent your favorite non-profit in wearable form, we have you covered with a variety options. Whether you're looking for a classic tee, a sweatshirt, or a hat, items are available in multiple colors and designs. Join us in honoring our 50 year milestone by ordering today! Browse the collection here.
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