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As October unfolds, we embrace a season of awareness, advocacy, and action. At NOVA, this month invites us to deepen our commitment to protecting and empowering the most vulnerable among us: our children.
October is Bullying Prevention Month, a time to amplify the importance of kindness, respect, and Upstander behavior in every environment where children grow and learn. At NOVA, we work every day to ensure that young people in Bucks County are seen, heard, and supported. From the Children's Advocacy Center, which provides a safe space for children who have experienced abuse to share their story, to school-based prevention programs, to specialized counseling and advocacy services for children who have experienced trauma, our team is dedicated to creating safer futures through education, intervention, and compassionate care.
This month, we’re also proud to introduce four new members to NOVA’s Board of Directors. Their leadership and commitment to our mission will strengthen our ability to serve the community with integrity and purpose. In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights of our child-focused services, stories of impact, and ways you can help prevent bullying and support healing. Together, we’re building a brighter, safer future — one child at a time.
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| Supporting Children with Passion and Care | | |
At NOVA, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard. Through a range of specialized services, we work to protect children from harm and help them heal from trauma with dignity and care.
The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, operated by NOVA, provides a child-centered space where children who have experienced abuse can share their stories with a compassionate, coordinated team of professionals. This process minimizes additional trauma and ensures each child receives the support they need from the very beginning.
Our Prevention Education programs reach thousands of students each year, teaching age-appropriate lessons on personal safety, boundaries, and respect.
NOVA also offers trauma-informed counseling, creating a safe space for children to express emotions and begin the healing process in a way that feels natural and comforting. Additionally, our dedicated victim advocates walk alongside families every step of the way, offering guidance, resources, and unwavering support.
Together, these services form a circle of care that helps children not just survive, but thrive.
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October is Bullying Prevention Month: Helping Students Manage AI-Assisted Bullying
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AI-assisted bullying occurs when people use artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create harmful content and facilitate online bullying behaviors. For years, schools and districts have worked with students, their families, staff, and outside partners, like NOVA, to combat cyberbullying—an issue that often starts beyond classrooms, but ultimately affects them.
Not only do cyberbullying cases rise each year, but students now use AI tools to generate content intended to humiliate and harm their peers. Using AI, deepfakes and digitally altered content are created featuring peers, made to look realistic and to inflict harm on students.
To make matters more complicated, frustrating, and concerning, anonymous AI-driven bots are being activated to also target youth, from spreading rumors to posting derogatory comments.
AI technologies are here and being integrated at an extremely rapid rate, and in ways we may not even be aware of. It is essential that school staff, parents, and other adult caregivers discuss the responsibility that comes with the use of AI technology with students.
To help prevent AI bullying, adults should establish clear guidelines for online behavior, actively monitor students' digital interactions, and regularly engage in open conversations about safe and respectful technology use. In addition, ways to effectively respond to AI bullying (whether human or bot caused) should be part of the discussion.
NOVA’s Prevention Education programming educates students in grades 3 through 8 about age-appropriate ways to be safe, respectful, kind, and responsible when navigating the online world.
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Welcome to NOVA's New Board Members!
We are thrilled to welcome four outstanding individuals to our Board of Directors, each bringing unique talents, passion, and dedication to our mission. Eileen Hartnett Albillar joins us with over 25 years of experience in social work, community action, and political advocacy, including her current role as Bucks County Clerk of Courts. Matthew Lennon brings deep expertise in commercial risk management and insurance, with a strong record of leadership and nonprofit involvement, including his board role with NOVA. Joe Littman, a Partnership Account Manager at American Heritage Credit Union, is a committed community advocate with a heart for financial wellness and pediatric support through the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. Dr. Michelle H. El Khoury, founder of Yogamazia, is a nationally recognized perinatal and public health expert whose commitment to community partnerships and empowerment has earned her numerous accolades. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Eileen, Matthew, Joe, and Michelle!
| | We appreciate your dedication to serving victims of crime, and we are proud to have you as part of the NOVA Team! | |
Designer Bag Bingo
October 17, 2025
Designer Bag Bingo is officially back! Join us on Friday, October 17th at 6:30 PM for the grand return of NOVA's Designer Bag Bingo benefiting the Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center. Come play for a chance to win a variety of designer handbags while supporting a good cause!
Tickets for this event are currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist for additional tickets here.
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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.
| | Enter to Win the NOVA Eagles Bundle! | | |
Enter for a chance to win a Philadelphia Eagles prize package! The raffle includes two tickets to the Eagles vs. Las Vegas Raiders home game on Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 PM at Lincoln Financial Field (Section 206, Row 17) and a Dooney & Bourke Eagles coated crossbody bag.
The winner will be chosen on October 31, 2025.
All proceeds from this raffle benefit NOVA and the Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center.
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NOVA's 2025 Holiday Gift Program is Here!
Help Support NOVA Clients This Holiday Season by Contributing in Small Ways.
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It's that time of year! 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.
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 Wednesday, November 12th 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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NOVA's SHARE Program Is Officially an Evidence-Based Program!
NOVA’s SHARE Program, which stands for Smart Healthy Appropriate Relationship Education, is designed to reduce victimizations and its impact by fostering healthy relationships and self-advocacy skills among young people aged 18-22 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other neurodivergent conditions.
In a two-year research study, Dr. Lahti Anderson evaluated SHARE’s effectiveness and determined through systematic testing, analysis, and review that “participants in NOVA’s SHARE program gained knowledge regarding Healthy Relationships. Changes in their scores pre- and post-program delivery statistically signify positive change. Other analysis shows that this positive change was due to participation in the SHARE program."
Dr. Lahti Anderson has a PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota, focusing on health disparities for individuals with ASD/IDD, and also has experience in qualitative research methods that promote inclusion of under-represented groups in research.
There is a glaring need for neurodivergent-specific education around consent, self-awareness, and relationship skills. SHARE utilizes various learning modalities and group activities to engage participants in conversations about these critical topics.
For additional information about NOVA's SHARE Program, contact Katie Sanford, High School Primary Prevention Coordinator, at katie.sanford@novabucks.org.
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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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People Who Give – Who Were Once in Need: From Overcomer to Supporter
NOVA donors come from all walks of life, each with their own challenges and triumphs. Many of the people we help, nurture, and uphold later choose to give back — whether through their time, resources, or financial contributions.
We talked to one NOVA client who experienced trauma, found hope, and now supports NOVA so that others can receive the same care. This individual, who we’d like to keep anonymous, found themselves at the center of an unusual and painful tragedy of a loved one. The dynamics stretched their grief, complicated the family balance, and created difficulty with all they tried to navigate.
How has NOVA assisted you?
“NOVA provided a safe space to navigate the waves of shocks, counseling to help cope with loss... They coached on resources within the legal system to navigate through a dark and bewildering time. In short, when life was overwhelming and in moments truly dangerous, they provided the support I needed to keep going and ultimately help those in my family that needed me.”
What inspired you to donate to NOVA?
“In my mind, it is not an understatement to say NOVA's resources saved my life… There were so many times going to counseling was the last thing I had time or energy for. But I came and those conversations helped me keep inching forward. … We felt it important to make sure that we give back to the organization that was there for us in our darkest hour.”
How would you like to see NOVA grow?
“For me it is about capacity. I think the mission and types of support NOVA provides covers such an important and considerate range of crises people can encounter. Being able to reach more communities, makes more [people] aware of the kinds of crisis that [can] benefit from quality support.”
Your gift, your contribution, can make a difference in the lives of many. This is merely one story. One voice. One impact. Now reaching many.
Please consider giving to NOVA through our donation form.
Any questions, please reach out to John Hyatt, Director of Development, at john.hyatt@novabucks.org.
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NOVA Counselor Maria Ellsworth and Human Trafficking Victim Advocate Danielle DiUlio represented NOVA at the 2025 Pathways for Victim Services Conference. This statewide conference brings together victim service providers and allied professionals for an opportunity to learn and connect.
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NOVA staff attended the TUFH (Towards Unity for Health) global summit in Philadelphia, a gathering of professionals, advocates, and people with lived experience focused on improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
| | NOVA staff attended the Annual Neff Symposium on the Prevention of Crimes Against Older Adults. This event brings together social workers, health care professionals, victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and other professionals who work with older adults to provide education, heighten awareness, and facilitate better communication about elder abuse. | | |
We held out first ever Upcycling Workshop at NOVA Thrift Shop! We appreciate all of the attendees who participated in the fun with us and engaged in a day of crafting and community. An extra special thank-you to Ginger Barlow, who graciously donated her time and talents to lead the workshop, allowing this event to serve as a NOVA fundraiser!
| | NOVA is excited to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors! Please join us in welcoming: Matthew Lennon, Michelle El Khoury, Eileen Hartnett Albillar, and Joe Littman. | | |
Members of the Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) took part in the Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania SHINE Walk alongside Children's Advocacy Centers from across Pennsylvania.
| | Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Car Wash Fundraiser! For every Protect Wash purchased, five dollars went directly to the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center. We raised an incredible $1,625 to help provide safety, support, and healing for children in our community. | | At our most recent staff meeting, NOVA staff participated in Bucks County Opportunity Council's Mini Poverty Simulation — an eye-opening experience that highlights the difficult choices families living in poverty face every day. Thank you to BCOC for coming and presenting this impactful experience to our team! | |
"I love how comfortable and personable the staff are. They make you forget how bad the situation at hand is."
- NOVA Client
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Pa. rape crisis centers leaders to lawmakers: ‘We can’t hold out much longer’ | Many centers have already had to slash benefits, furlough staff and max out lines of credit. | | | | | |
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
Sometimes it really does take a village, and we’re so grateful to have amazing community partners like Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) in ours!
Whenever our team needs a little extra room to gather, MBIT has graciously opened their doors and welcomed us into their meeting space. Having an easily accessible, comfortable, and professional place to come together makes such a difference for our staff and the important work we’re doing every day.
We appreciate MBIT’s generosity, flexibility, and community spirit. Partnerships like this remind us that we’re never doing this work alone, we’re surrounded by neighbors who believe in NOVA’s mission and are willing to lend a hand (and a meeting room!) when it’s needed most.
Thank you, MBIT, for being such a wonderful supporter and partner.
| 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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