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At NOVA, trauma-informed care is at the heart of everything we do. From supporting victims of crime through specialized services to helping entire communities heal, we ensure every step is guided by compassion, understanding, and expertise. This commitment extends across Pennsylvania through the Keystone Crisis Intervention Team (KCIT), NOVA’s statewide program.
KCIT’s trained volunteers provide timely and caring support to communities across the state recovering from traumatic events. By delivering trauma-informed services where they’re needed most, KCIT ensures that individuals and communities—especially the most vulnerable—receive the care and compassion they deserve after experiencing crime or tragedy.
This essential work is made possible by supporters like you. Join us at SuperNOVA, our gala on April 3rd at The Fuge, to celebrate and sustain these life-changing programs. Together, we can ensure trauma-informed care remains accessible across the state, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
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The Keystone Crisis Intervention Team | |
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The Keystone Crisis Intervention Team is a state-wide resource offered through NOVA, developed to assist individuals and communities as they process and heal from serious crimes.
Upon first responders leaving the scene of a crime, a community is often left to fend for itself after witnessing or being exposed to an incident. The experience of those impacted does not disappear and can cause lingering trauma. The Keystone Crisis Intervention Team (KCIT) is the community’s second line of assistance and provides professionally trained teams of volunteers to serve any community within Pennsylvania where a crime has occurred. To assist communities, KCIT provides group crisis interventions (GCI) which help those impacted to process the disorganization and overwhelm that is often created after experiencing a traumatic event.
During a group crisis intervention, the impacted community is led by a facilitator through a series of questions aimed to help participants sort through their experience of the incident, their reactions, and what they continue to hold as a result of the event. Normalization and validation of the participants’ reactions to the incident are given along with education about why and how their body was using a natural response to ensure protection against a perceived threat. This group process assists in restoring connection and feeling that they are not alone in their suffering and healing process.
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Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is the impactful approach employed by NOVA to support individuals who have experienced trauma. By prioritizing safety, trust, choice, and empowerment, practitioners can foster environments that support healing and resilience. Incorporating these principles improves the quality of care while cultivating a more compassionate and empathetic culture.
A Trauma-Informed approach incorporates three key elements, also known as the Three Rs:
Realization - Realizing that trauma impacts individuals in various ways, including physical health, mental well-being, and behavior. This creates an environment that embraces the far-reaching effects of trauma and the importance of providing holistic care.
Recognize - Recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma by being aware of the physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators that someone may be experiencing trauma.
Respond - Responding by putting this knowledge into practice.
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Beth Coutts, KCIT Training and Outreach Specialist
Can you give a brief description of your role with NOVA?
As the Training and Outreach specialist I provide outreach and coordination of statewide crisis response trainings to assist crime victims, participate in developing revisions to crisis curriculum for KCIT trainings, provide trainings on crisis reactions, assist with coordinating KCIT volunteers, create and disseminate outreach materials, and maintain KCIT's social media presence.
How long have you been working at NOVA?
April (2025) will be one year, although I've been in victim services for over 16 years.
What is your favorite part about working at NOVA?
Being part of a well-informed and capable team of people who provide crisis intervention to crime victims throughout the Commonwealth.
We appreciate your dedication to serving victims of crime!
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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 for 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 Pilates Classes
April 1, April 12, April 17, April 30
In collaboration with Flip Dog Pilates, 50% of the proceeds from four class sessions will support NOVA! Attend 4/1 at 7:15 am, 4/12 at 9 am, 4/17 at 5:15 am, or 4/30 at 10 am, and be part of the impact. Learn more and secure your spot here!
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NOVA Book Club
April 7, 2025
NOVA’s Book Club pick for April is Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford. Read along and join us on Monday, 4/7 at 6PM at NOVA's Jamison Office for an in-person discussion unpacking themes of trauma and abuse. Register here.
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A Discussion on Sextortion
April 9, 2025
Join NOVA Training Institute for a training and discussion on Sexting & Sextortion: Talking with Your Teens about the Dangers of Online Exploitation. Learn about the risks of sexting, sextortion tactics, and how to have open conversations with teens about online safety. Gain insights on recognizing warning signs, protecting young people from digital threats, and empowering them to navigate the online world safely. Register here.
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Denim Day
April 30, 2025
Wear your favorite denim to show your support for survivors of sexual assault and eliminate victim blaming. Denim Day takes place every year on the last Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Post a photo of yourself wearing denim on social media and tag NOVA to show your support for victims of sexual assault!
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Candlelight Tribute
April 22, 2025
NOVA invites the community to join us on Tuesday, April 22nd, in honoring victims of crime, their families and friends, and those who serve them. This tribute of reflection, music, and victim/survivor experiences brings all in our community together for healing and awareness. Also featured is an exhibit of victim and survivor artwork.
No RSVP is needed to attend this event. For more details, please click here.
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Funny Fundraiser
May 9th, 2025
Join us for a Funny Fundraiser at Poco's Comedy Cabaret for a night of laughs and giving back! Come see Emmy-winning ventriloquist, musician, and comedian Taylor Mason live for a night of hilarious, clean comedy.
Turn it into dinner and a show! Dine at Poco's before the show and 20% of your bill will be donated to NOVA as well.
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NOVA is Hiring!
NOVA is currently hiring for the following position:
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Director of Development — The Development Director will be an enthusiastic fundraising professional eager to embrace NOVA’s mission of supporting victims of sexual assault and other crimes and building a safer community through violence prevention. This role will be responsible for managing NOVA’s development operations ensuring that individual, corporate, and foundation donors are engaged to support the growth and sustainability of the organization.
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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From Survivor to Supporter: SuperNova's Featured Auction Item from Southern Farm Catering
Over the past 50+ years, NOVA has helped countless lives, providing support to individuals in our community. With each passing year, the people we help continue their journeys and become an integral part of our story. One of those people is Kirsten, the owner of Southern Farm Catering. A former NOVA client turned supporter, Kirsten has generously offered to donate a catering package to our annual Gala, SuperNova. Her Southern-inspired cuisine is unparalleled in Bucks County, winning countless awards.
Kirsten’s journey with NOVA began over 40 years ago as a child. Her story is a testament to her resilience. So why is NOVA so important? “Because, even after 40 years, it still matters. We need to humanize the stigma surrounding childhood sexual abuse survivors. When people think of survivors, they often imagine an adult, but we must remember the young children who endure such trauma. For me, it began when I was just 5 years old, and it didn’t end until I was 8. But the pain started again when I turned 13. If we all wore signs that displayed our struggles and hardships, maybe the stigmas would fade, and we could be kinder to one another.”
The Southern Farm Catering Package will be one of many auction items available to bid on at SuperNova. Sponsorships and Tickets are available for purchase now, so make sure you secure your spot today. All proceeds from SuperNova go towards NOVA services.
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NOVA staff showed their Eagles spirit with a special office pep rally, proudly sporting their green in anticipation of the big Super Bowl win! And let’s be honest: the celebrations haven’t really stopped since! | |
This Valentine’s Day, we wanted to share our love and gratitude with our supporters, donors, and community members, whose generosity empowers survivors, provides vital resources, and helps build a future free from violence. | |
NOVA concluded a 10-Session SHARE Program with students from the Skills For Life Academy. SHARE (Smart Healthy Appropriate Relationship Education) is a NOVA educational program that uses group activities to encourage conversations about self-advocacy, risk reduction, and healthy relationships. | |
NOVA is incredibly grateful to The Fuge and Inspire Federal Credit Union for choosing to support our mission through the 2025 Bucks Beer Bash! Enjoy a fantastic event while making a difference on Saturday, March 8th. Get your tickets now! Use code NOVA5 for $5 off your ticket AND $5 donated to NOVA. | |
"My counselor made me realize my past experiences were buried deep. He helped me to uncover those old scars and let them heal the way they should have."
- NOVA Client
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Advocates Say Human Trafficking Victims Have Been Recovered In Levittown Area | Officials Proclaim January as Awareness Month and Highlight Education and Outreach Efforts. | | | | |
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Fire One
NOVA’s partnership with Fire One began out of necessity. In November 2024, we lost access to our staff meeting space when our previous venue could no longer accommodate us. Seeking a solution, we reached out to our friends at Giuseppe’s Pizza in Warminster, who graciously offered to host us but also recommended another option—Fire One, located in Warrington.
After connecting with Pete and Jeff, we shared NOVA’s mission, space needs, and budget. They welcomed us with open arms and were eager to support our work. Since then, we have hosted three events at Fire One, and each time, their team has been incredibly accommodating and genuinely interested in NOVA’s efforts in the community. We are thrilled to continue this partnership, with several more events scheduled at their venue this year!
Fire One is a state-of-the-art meeting and event space as well as a creative studio in Warrington, PA. It is also home to the Fire One Museum, which preserves and showcases the rich heritage of the Warrington Fire Department and the local community.
If you are looking for a meeting or event space for your business, organization, or personal needs, Fire One offers a unique, fully customizable setting equipped with the latest AV technology. Additionally, they provide a recording studio, shared studio space, and brand creation services through Fire One Brands.
We are deeply grateful to Fire One for their generosity and partnership, helping NOVA continue its vital work in serving and supporting victims in our community.
| Thank you to Fire One for being a Voice 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. Browse the collection here.
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