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This month, NOVA proudly joins organizations across the country in celebrating National Forensic Nurses Week (November 3–9), honoring the extraordinary nurses who provide trauma-informed, medical-forensic care to victims of sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation. Through their expertise, compassion, and courage, these nurses help survivors begin their journey toward healing and justice.
NOVA is proud to provide these specialized forensic nursing services in partnership with three of Bucks County’s six hospitals and to collaborate with all six hospitals to ensure victims receive advocacy and accompaniment in emergency departments when they need it most.
As we honor these dedicated professionals, we must also recognize the challenges facing victim services across Pennsylvania. The ongoing state budget impasse threatens critical programs that support victims and survivors statewide. We urge you to contact your state senator and representative today and advocate for a budget that protects victims and sustains the essential services they depend on.
Stable funding is vital to ensuring that every victim of crime has access to the compassionate care and expert support they deserve. Continued investment in forensic nursing and victim services allows agencies like NOVA to respond swiftly in moments of crisis, promote healing, and help survivors reclaim their sense of safety and dignity. Together, we can protect these essential resources and the people who provide them.
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NOVA's Forensic Nursing Program: A Decade of Healing and Hope
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This year, NOVA's Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Program celebrates 10 years of providing compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors in Bucks County during their most vulnerable moments.
Our specially trained forensic nurses do more than collect evidence... they restore dignity, offer comfort, and stand as unwavering advocates for healing. Behind the scenes, our dedicated credentialing assistant ensures every nurse maintains the highest standards of certification and training, keeping our program at the forefront of best practices in forensic care. Together, this team works seamlessly to ensure survivors receive expert, compassionate support exactly when they need it most.
The impact of this program extends far beyond the exam room. For ten years, we've been a beacon of hope in our community, providing critical forensic evidence for both sexual assault and intimate partner violence cases that supports justice, connecting survivors to counseling, advocacy, other resources, and partnering with law enforcement and hospitals to create a coordinated response to violence. Every survivor we serve knows they are believed, supported, and not alone.
Ten years. Countless exams conducted with dedication and compassion. Lives forever changed by the healing power of care delivered with dignity and respect. Here's to a decade of transforming trauma into hope, and to the many years of impact ahead.
| | Protecting Kids and Teens from Online Sextortion: What Parents Need to Know | | |
To protect kids and teens from sextortion, it’s important to keep open, judgment-free communication about online safety and relationships. Teach them to never share private or sexual images, even with people they trust, and to be cautious about who they talk to online. Encourage them to use privacy settings on social media and to avoid sharing personal details publicly. Make sure they know that if someone threatens or pressures them for images or money, it’s not their fault, and they should come to a trusted adult right away. Reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement or platforms can also help stop offenders.
Parents and caregivers can also take proactive steps to create a safer online environment. Keep devices in shared spaces when possible, and consider using parental controls or monitoring tools to track online activity responsibly. Stay informed about the apps, games, and social media platforms your kids use, as many have hidden chat features or disappearing messages. It’s also helpful to talk about healthy relationships, consent, and the difference between real friends and online strangers. By building trust and keeping communication open, you can make sure your child feels comfortable coming to you if something goes wrong, helping prevent sextortion and other forms of online exploitation.
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Please Join Us in Congratulating the Recipients of the 2025 NOVA Upstander Awards!
The NOVA Upstander Awards aim to recognize individuals or groups who make a positive impact in the Bucks County community by speaking up, stepping in, and supporting others. Like the brightest stars, Upstanders lead by example with their actions, showing courage and compassion within their communities. Instead of standing by, they stand out, actively working to create a safer and kinder world for everyone.
This year, we received an incredible assortment of nominations recognizing individuals and groups who go above and beyond each day to make their communities safer, kinder, and more supportive. With so many inspiring stories, our Selection Committee faced the difficult task of choosing just six honorees.
Congratulations to the 2025 Upstander Award recipients:
Adult Upstander of the Year: Erika Flayer, Victim Support, Bucks County District Attorney's Office
First Responder Upstander: Detective William Mokriski, Doylestown Township Police Department
Group Upstander: The Pennridge Improvement Project
School Spirit Upstander: Rebekah Rudolph, Autistic Support Teacher, Quakertown Community School District
Workplace Upstander: Giovanni’s Dillicious Pickles Staff
Youth Upstander of the Year: Callie Porter, Student
We are honored to recognize these extraordinary Upstanders for the difference they make every day!
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Mandatory Reporter Training
November 4, 2025
Mandated Reporting of Suspected Abuse equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.
Registration for this three-hour virtual training is $25 per participant. Secure your spot here.
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Vaccine Pop-Up Clinic
November 6, 2025
In collaboration with GIANT Pharmacy and the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership, NOVA is holding a Pop-Up Immunization Clinic at NOVA's Jamison office. Flu (adult and pediatric), Covid, Pneumonia, RSV, Shingles, and Tdap vaccines will be offered. Please bring your Medicare/Medicaid, medical and pharmacy insurance cards with you.
Click here to schedule your appointment.
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Gala Game Night - A Gala Benefiting NOVA
April 17, 2026
Save the Date for NOVA's 2026 Fundraising Gala: Gala Game Night! Join us on the evening of Friday, April 17, 2026 at The Warrington for a tremendous night of fun, food, and impact to support NOVA. Enjoy an open beer & wine bar, trivia, a silent auction, a four-course dinner, and a show-stopping game show finale with surprise pre-selected contestants—all for a great cause.
Learn more about the event, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities at novabucks.org/gala26.
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Upcoming Closures
The NOVA offices, as well as NOVA Thrift Shop, will be closed Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
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NOVA's 2025 Holiday Gift: The Final Stretch!
Help Support NOVA Clients This Holiday Season by Contributing in Small Ways.
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It's the final stretch! Join NOVA for the 2025 Holiday Gift Program as we help provide assistance to victims of crime! You can help NOVA deliver holiday cheer this season by donating money and/or gift cards to help clients in need as part of NOVA’s Annual Holiday Gift Program.
Each year, NOVA works with donors, staff, and volunteers to provide gift cards to our clients who are in need. Each person/family selected for our annual Holiday Gift Program has been personally affected by sexual assault or crime, and has proven their need to their NOVA advocate or counselor.
Your donation will enable clients to gather what they need most for the holiday. For some, that will be a special toy their child is hoping to receive under the tree, for others it could mean tasty treats for the holiday meal, essential items for their household, or the ability to get to and from their appointments at NOVA.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve made amazing progress toward our goal! But with only a day left, we still need Amazon, Target, and Walmart gift cards to ensure every family has what they need this holiday season.
There are multiple ways you can contribute:
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Sign up to donate a specific gift card. Visit our Sign-Up Genius page to choose a specific gift card you would like to give. Sign up for your preferred gift card, purchase the gift card, and then deliver it to NOVA. Physical gift cards can be dropped off at the wrapped box by the cashiers at NOVA Thrift Shop, or at NOVA's Jamison office located at 2370 York Road Suite B1, Jamison, PA 18929. Electronic gift cards can be emailed to novainfo@novabucks.org.
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Donate funds via NOVA's Venmo. All specified funds raised via Venmo (@NOVABucks) will be used to purchase gift cards for clients in need. PLEASE NOTE: If donating through Venmo, please write "Holiday Gift Program" in the description of your transaction.
We kindly ask that all gift cards be delivered to NOVA by tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5th, to ensure that NOVA clients have them in their hands in time for the holidays.
Thank you for making this possible!
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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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A Thrilling Month of Events and Community Collaboration: Celebrating partnership, generosity, and community spirit!
October was a busy and exciting month here at NOVA!
Our CAC Designer Bag Bingo was an incredible success! With EC Fence & Ironworks as our Title Sponsor and support from more than 50 community sponsors, the night was truly one to remember. Bucks County Detectives and District Attorneys kept the energy high as enthusiastic hosts, making the evening fun, fast-paced, and full of excitement. Thanks to everyone’s dedication, we raised over $50,000 and netted $45,000—that’s 150% of our original goal and the most successful Bingo in NOVA history!
The 5th Annual Jason Kutt Legacy Fund Car Show, hosted by the Kutt family in memory of their son, Jason, was another highlight of the month. NOVA was honored to take part as a beneficiary of the proceeds on Sunday, October 19, and to help select “Best in Show." The event featured an incredible lineup of Street Rods, Rat Rods, Customs, Muscle Cars, Trucks, Antiques, Classics, and Motorcycles—a perfect tribute to Jason’s legacy and passion.
We also celebrated kindness, courage, and compassion at the 2025 Upstander Awards, held at Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus. The event honored everyday heroes who step in, speak up, and stand beside others—even when it’s not easy.
This year’s Upstanders were chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, including:
- Adrienne King, President, Bucks County NAACP, and Founder, Pair Up Society
- Mike Taylor, Park President, Sesame Place
- Steve Heath, Former Sergeant, Northampton Police Department
- Theresa Cheshire, Program and Prevention Specialist, Bucks County Intermediate Unit
- Kristin Chapin, Director, Area Agency on Aging
- Joe Wingert, Publisher, Bucks County Herald
You can read all about our inspiring 2025 Upstander Award recipients above in this issue of NOVA News!
| | The NOVA team had so much fun showering Counselor Sydney with love as she got ready to say “I do!” Congratulations, Sydney! | | The CAC team held an intimate bridal shower for CAC Family Support Advocate Kaylie Vezina. Congratulations, Kaylie! | | Prevention Coordinator Katie Sanford and PEP Educator Amanda Carter hosted The SHARE program for The Next Step Programs participants to learn more about forming relationships and connections, and staying safe and confident while doing so. We are always grateful for our partnerships! | | We had so much fun at NOVA's CAC Designer Bag Bingo event! Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the event in any way. It was an extremely successful fundraising night, raising a grand total of $45,000 in support of the Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center! | | We had the privilege of recognizing our 2025 NOVA Upstander Awards recipients at an intimate awards ceremony for family and friends. We are honored to recognize these extraordinary Upstanders for the difference they make every day. | | NOVA was honored to attend the Jason Kutt Legacy Fund’s 5th Annual Car Show. We are deeply grateful to the Kutt family, whose continued support of NOVA makes such a meaningful impact. This year’s event was a beautiful day celebrating a great cause and Jason’s enduring legacy. | | We were grateful to welcome Magellan staff to NOVA’s office, where they volunteered their time assembling client care packages to provide comfort and kindness to our clients. | | Halloween was full of spooky fun here at the NOVA office! Staff went all out for our annual pumpkin decorating contest and Halloween potluck. Congratulations to our contest winners! | |
"My counselor has helped mold a very bad situation into one that was broken down and easy to navigate through."
- NOVA Client
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NOVA's Holiday Gift Card Drive is Back! | Spread cheer this season—help families and individuals in need | | | | | |
Cobra Express Car Wash Jamison
NOVA is deeply grateful to Cobra Express Car Wash in Jamison for their incredible generosity and commitment to protecting children in our community. Through a recent car wash fundraiser, Cobra Car Wash helped us raise $1,625 in support of NOVA’s Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC).
During the event, customers could purchase a special PROTECT Wash, with $5 from each wash donated directly to the CAC. Visitors also had the opportunity to contribute through on-site donations, a raffle, and a 50/50 drawing—all helping to make the fundraiser a success.
Thanks to the support of community partners like Cobra Car Wash, NOVA can continue to provide hope and healing to children and families across Bucks County.
| We are so grateful for our partnerships. Thank you for being a Voice Against Violence 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!
You can wear your support for your favorite local nonprofit and help spread the word about our mission in style.
From classic tees and cozy sweatshirts to hats and accessories, there's something for everyone, available in multiple colors and more designs than ever before!
Even better? With every purchase, NOVA receives 10–15% back to help fund our work supporting victims and stopping violence.
Browse the new collection and shop with purpose here.
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