Join us in celebrating a milestone! NOVA is thrilled to announce our 50th Anniversary Gala, marking five decades of unwavering dedication to hope, healing, and preventing violence in our community. Thanks to supporters like you, we've had the privilege of assisting over 100,000 victims of crime and their families and educating over 800,000 school children and community members.

This gala isn't just a celebration of our past achievements; it's a testament to the enduring impact we've made together. Join us for A Starlit Evening as we honor our history and look ahead to the next 50 years. Amidst elegance and inspiration, we'll reaffirm our commitment to NOVA's mission and the meaningful difference we continue to make in countless lives.

Your ongoing support has been instrumental to our journey, and we're immensely grateful for your partnership. Let's raise a toast to 50 years of resilience, compassion, and positive change. Save the date and join us for an unforgettable evening filled with reflection, celebration, and renewed dedication to our cause. Together, we'll continue to build a safer, more compassionate community. Thank you for being an integral part of NOVA's incredible journey!

50th Anniversary Milestone: The Evolution of NOVA Court Accompaniment

One year after W.O.A.R. was formed, a dedicated group of volunteers began to provide court accompaniment to victims of sexual assault and in 1982, through funding from the William Penn Foundation, court accompaniment services were expanded to assist all victims of violent crimes. But what exactly is court accompaniment? Simply put, court accompaniment involves providing support, guidance, and practical assistance to individuals navigating the complexities of the legal process.

Court accompaniment for victims of crime serves several crucial purposes:

Emotional Support: Court accompaniment ensures that individuals have someone by their side, offering encouragement, empathy, and a compassionate shoulder to lean on during challenging times.

Access to Justice: Navigating the legal system can be confusing. Court accompaniment provides individuals with essential information about their rights, the legal process, and what to expect in court, empowering them to make informed decisions about their case and actively participate in proceedings and ensure their voices are heard.

Advocacy: Whether it's ensuring access to interpretation services, addressing discriminatory practices, or advocating for fair treatment, court accompaniment amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Safety and Protection: Accompaniment advocates can help victims develop safety plans, connect them with resources, and advocate for measures to enhance their safety within the legal system.

Enhanced Communication: Court accompaniment facilitates communication between victims, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other court personnel. Advocates can help victims articulate their needs, concerns, and preferences, ensuring that they are effectively communicated and addressed within the legal process.

Reduced Trauma and Revictimization: Court accompaniment aims to minimize trauma and revictimization by providing a supportive environment and advocating for accommodations.

For more than 49 years, NOVA has been providing court accompaniment for victims of crime, playing a vital role in ensuring that victims are supported, informed, and empowered throughout the legal process and contributing to a more equitable and supportive legal system for all individuals affected by crime.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call NOVA’s Helpline at 1-800-675-6900. Text and Chat line are also available by visiting www.novabucks.org.

NOVA's SHARE Program

SHARE stands for Smart Healthy Appropriate Relationship Education and NOVA's SHARE program was designed to empower youth and young adults to form meaningful and safe connections with others. At NOVA, we believe that relationships are central to a full life, and we know that some young people may need help in forming and maintaining healthy and appropriate relationships. As such, NOVA created this program specifically for teens and young adults who may need extra support in this area. Some young people who would benefit from SHARE may live with autism or other developmental differences and we have found that their participation in the SHARE program has helped them grow and mature into the person they want to become.

This SHARE program is a synthesis of NOVA’s work helping young people learn and thrive in healthy relationships. SHARE values individual differences and recognizes each person who participates in SHARE has varying needs, strengths, and challenges.

For additional information about NOVA's SHARE Program, please contact Katie Sanford, High School Primary Prevention Coordinator, at katie.sanford@novabucks.org.

How to Teach Your Child About Personal Boundaries

(Adapted from the Smarter Parents, Safer Kids Handbook)

It is important to teach children about personal boundaries and what they can do in situations that may make them feel uncomfortable. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to teach your child what personal boundaries are, help your child stand up for their boundaries, reinforce your child when they do stand up for their boundaries, and model appropriate boundaries.

Empower your children to assert their personal boundaries: Teach your child that it is their choice when or if someone touches them and that they should say NO if someone is touching them in a way they do not like or makes them feel +uncomfortable. You can teach your child by saying: “This is your body. This is your space. If it is not okay with you, then it is not okay, period.”

Support your child in asserting their boundaries: For example, if they do not want to kiss their grandmother goodbye, that is okay. You can help your child find a more comfortable way to say goodbye, like shaking hands, giving a high five, or blowing a kiss.

Teach children that No means No: Model this behavior in your interactions with your child. For example, if during a tickling game your child says no, stop the game because they said no.

Respect other people’s boundaries: Teach your child to respect other people’s boundaries and to not touch, tickle, or push other kids when they say NO or make it clear they do not want to be touched. This is an important concept for healthy social functioning as well as for child sexual abuse prevention.

Boundaries with caregivers and parents: As a parent or guardian, you have the right to state the appropriate boundaries between your child and babysitters/caregivers and partners. Consider what you feel are appropriate boundaries with your children. Talk with your child about what are okay and not okay about boundaries with caretakers/partners and empower your child to reinforce this.

To learn more about teaching your child how to set personal boundaries and other topics, register for a session of Smarter Parents, Safer Kids. This program helps adult caregivers tackle tough conversations with their children, along with empowerment and support.

Katie Lipski, Gala Committee Volunteer

Can you give a brief description of your role with NOVA?

I am the chair of the Décor Committee for NOVA's annual auction.

How long have you been with NOVA?

7 years.

What is your favorite part about volunteering at NOVA?

Working with wonderful people who strive to support NOVA's efforts to help victims.

How do you support NOVA's mission in your role?

Each year our team creates the event's atmosphere with decorations based on the theme.

What is one thing people should know about NOVA?

NOVA has incredible and talented people who care and want to help victims and their families! The staff and all of the volunteers have such big hearts!

Lisa Braud, Gala Committee Volunteer

Can you give a brief description of your role with NOVA?

Volunteer on the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee for NOVA's upcoming 50th Gala.

How long have you been with NOVA?

Less than a year.

What is your favorite part about volunteering at NOVA?

Learning more from the staff about what they do everyday and its impact for the Bucks County Community.

How do you support NOVA's mission in your role?

Working with local media and influencers to help bring more awareness to NOVA and its mission in Bucks County .

What is one thing people should know about NOVA?

NOVA serves our community in some of their darkest times. It is such a resource for Bucks County and the work they do to advocate for victims is just incredible. They also work on prevention which is key to hopefully reducing the amount of victims in the future.

We appreciate your dedication to serving victims of crime!

Smarter Parents, Safer Kids Workshop

March 12 | March 26 | April 4

This interactive workshop helps parents learn about healthy sexual 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 about upcoming sessions and RSVP to your chosen session here.

A Starlit Evening: 50th Anniversary Gala

April 19, 2024

On Friday, April 19, NOVA will host A Starlit Evening from 6 pm to 10 pm at a new location: Spring Mill Manor. Enjoy a fun-packed evening as we honor NOVA’s 50th anniversary and all of the staff, volunteers, partners, and donors that have made us who we are today, while we raise funds to support our continuum of programs that make NOVA a leader across the region in victim services and violence prevention education.

NOVA Book Club

April 11, 2024

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, join us for NOVA Book Club and discuss the book What is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander. Denhollander, the first victim to publicly accuse former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse, reveals her full story for the first time. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more and register here.

Children's Yoga Class

April 13, 2024

Join us as we partner with Yogamazia to offer a free children’s yoga class! Through a combination of yoga and mindfulness, NOVA counselors and Yogamazia instructors will walk participants through a series of movements designed to equip children with the tools to manage stress and emotions. Parents are invited to stay and observe and learn more about NOVA and Yogamazia. Register here.

April 2024: A Month of Action

As we approach April, a month of significance for us here at NOVA, we're not just acknowledging Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and National Crime Victims Rights Week; we're actively preparing for a month of action. Join us throughout March in anticipation of the impactful events lined up to raise awareness about these crucial issues this April.

Stay tuned for more details, and be sure to follow us on social media as we lead the way towards positive change in our community!

View the full clickable calendar here!

50th Anniversary Gala Tickets Are on Sale

Tickets for NOVA's 50th Anniversary Gala, A Starlit Evening, are available for purchase! Enjoy a fun-packed evening that will feature a beer and wine bar, hors d’oeuvres, live music, a wonderful meal followed by a dessert bar, a curated silent auction, and dancing. Click here to learn more and secure your ticket.

NOVA is Hiring!

NOVA is currently hiring for the following positions:

Forensic Nurse Program Coordinator
Clinical Counselor I & II
Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking Organizer
Family Support Advocate
Keystone Crisis Intervention Team Training and Outreach Specialist
Forensic Nurse Examiner

To read the full job descriptions and apply, visit the NOVA Employment page.

Sponsor Spotlight: Join Us in Commemorating 50 Years

Stark & Stark, P.C., a proud supporter of NOVA since 2013, stands as a key sponsor for NOVA’s 50th Gala: A Starlit Evening.

Carin A. O’Donnell, Esq., NOVA Board Vice President, and Shareholder at Stark & Stark, focuses her legal practice on wrongful death, catastrophic injury litigation, construction accidents, and sexual assault matters.

We asked Carin why Stark & Stark continuously supports NOVA and our fundraising efforts.

“As an attorney who represents survivors of sexual abuse in the civil context, I am proud to be a volunteer at NOVA, and in a firm that has long supported healing, deterrence, education and closure for survivors.”

Join Stark & Stark and NOVA in commemorating 50 years of supporting, counseling, and empowering victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes. Together, let's make a difference at A Starlit Evening – a celebration that goes beyond festivities, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those NOVA serves.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this significant milestone. Secure your place today and contribute to a brighter future for survivors! Visit our event page at novabucks.org/50thGala for sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and more. Join us in making this celebration truly stellar!

NOVA's Executive Director, Penny Ettinger, spoke at a press conference hosted by State Representative Brian Munroe about the importance of protections for young people using social media. NOVA has provided Internet Safety programs to children and young adults for more than two decades.

Valentine's Day always gets us excited at the NOVA office! NOVA staff sweetened the Valentine's Day spirit with conversation hearts, promoting love and respect – because consent is always in style. All month long, we acknowledged that at the heart of everything we do is supporters like you!

Throughout the month, we have recognized individuals and organizations via social media spotlights! We are so grateful for their time, services, and generosity in their partnerships with NOVA. If interested in lending support to the gala or donating items to our upcoming silent auction, contact novaevents@novabucks.org.

NOVA hosted a retirement send-off for our Finance Director, Keith Kirkner, with a baseball-themed bash. For the past 16 years, Keith's guidance and support of our finance team has been the cornerstone that has kept NOVA strong. Please join us in wishing Keith a happy and relaxing retirement after his many years of service to NOVA!

"I will always be grateful for my victim advocate and NOVA. I can't thank you enough for everything that you did for my family…You all were there to help us."

- NOVA Client

NOVA receives community support

Giuseppe's Pizza of Warminster and Foundations Community Partnership are helping the organization in its mission to serve victims in Bucks County

NOVA Thrift Shop

For nearly 23 years, NOVA Thrift Shop has been a destination for bargains and unique finds carrying everything from clothing, household goods, accessories, books, and much more. But did you know that NOVA Thrift Shop also helps to support NOVA’s mission and vital work in our community by raising much needed funds?

NOVA Thrift Shop opened its doors in Fountainville in 2001 as a small consignment shop first known as Heirlooms and Wardrobes. Just a year later, the name was changed to NOVA Thrift Shop to better highlight the shop’s connection with NOVA. In 2016, NOVA Thrift Shop made the move up the road to its current location in Perkasie, to a 10,000 sq. ft. retail space that houses thousands of items for sale and auction.

NOVA Thrift Shop has become one of the agency’s largest sources of revenue, surpassed only by funding from the federal and state governments. Last fiscal year, NOVA Thrift Shop grossed $1.3 million in sales with more than half of the funds grossed going directly to support NOVA’s programs and services.

NOVA Thrift Shop’s work would not be possible without the dedicated staff and volunteers that work 7 days a week sorting donations, pricing merchandise, hanging clothing, stocking shelves and racks, and straightening the sales floor, and ringing up purchases. This group of nearly 100 ensures that NOVA Thrift Shop is more than just a treasure trove of bargains – it is a place that helps us help others.

Volunteers and donations to NOVA Thrift Shop are always needed. For more information, visit our website and follow NOVA Thrift shop on Facebook and Instagram.

We are so incredibly grateful to NOVA Thrift Shop for their continued support of NOVA. Thank you for being a Voice Against Violence and supporting NOVA's work in our community!

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.