Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: "Love calls us to look upon the faces of those different from us as brothers and sisters. Love calls us to weep when their bodies are outcast, broken or destroyed. Love calls us to speak even when our voice trembles, stand even when hate spins out of control, and stay even when the blood is fresh on the ground. Love makes us brave. The world needs your love: the only social, political and moral force that can dismantle injustice to remake the world around us – and within us.” - Valarie Kaur



Read more about the practice of Revolutionary Love, a Compass as guide, and Valarie Kaur's work.

Please continue to keep us informed of what's happening with you in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The information here comes from you, with links to our website for more complete information and resources. Send your events and updates to Kristyn: [email protected]. Thank you!

Warmly,

Kristyn DiDominick, Executive Director

Payal Mohan, Associate Director

Board of Directors

Download and share the flyer!

Download and share the flyer!

Download and share the flyer!

Coming Up! Trauma 102: Basic Skills of Trauma-Informed Care

Dec 1, 2023, 9:30 -11:30 am

Register here

Wellness Workshop:

Taking Care of You!

December 8, 9:00-10:30am

GIANT Community Center, 2nd Floor (above store), 315 York Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090

In this session, we will continue to learn about positive psychology, focusing on our relationships with practical takeaways for you and your organization. This workshop will culminate in an effortless relaxation experience. During this busy season, take care of you!

Register Now!

Download and share the flyer!

Download and share the flyer!

Through online and in-person events, PANO equips nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers with knowledge, fresh ideas and best practices to succeed.

2024 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation

Award NOMINATIONS OPEN

The Social Innovation Awards symbolize that the success of the social sector depends upon us embracing both tried-and-true traditional practices while stepping out of the box to grow new ideas into new innovative practices.

The 2024 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation Awards celebrates greater Philadelphia social innovators. These awards honor our region’s most passionate social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers whose work and social impact too often goes unacknowledged, yet their efforts are what makes our communities a thriving region of innovation and opportunity.

The theme of the awards, “achieving a more just society,” recognizes organic leadership who re-envision the challenges that communities face and find innovative solutions to reshape communities.

Social innovators create change through innovative programs, policies, and by revolutionizing realities to bring us all forward to a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow -- today.

Submit your nomination for the GREATER PHILADELPHIA'S 2024 SOCIAL INNOVATORS!

Mission Kids is hiring!

TWO Community Prevention Educators

They’re looking for enthusiastic candidates who are comfortable talking to children about body safety, while not shying away from uncomfortable topics like child abuse, using evidence-based curriculums to help keep kids safe. You can read more in their Job Description linked here. Their typical hours are M-F 8:30am-4:30pm, and you must be willing to travel around Montgomery County to facilitate school-based lessons on a regular basis. This is a fun, rewarding position with a well-recognized and growing nonprofit organization. Please share with anyone who may be a good fit, or contact Michelle McDyre directly to discuss via email: [email protected].

Reflections and Resources: Israel and Hamas Conflict

Equity in the Center

“Profound, collective grief has followed Hamas’ terror attack on Israel, the deepening conflict and resulting humanitarian crises. We mourn the lives lost and continue to hold Israeli and Palestinian victims, their families and loved ones in the light. This conflict is a stark reminder of the global struggles for equity, justice and peace that have unfolded over centuries and millennia. We stand in solidarity with those whose lives have been forever altered by this tragedy. And, we envision a world where every life is cherished and valued as equal - where all humanity lives in peace, freedom and safety.” – Equity in the Center

Please use these resources and reflections from Equity in the Center to help you through their framework of grieving, integrating (learning, reflecting), acting (connecting with others, giving to organizations coordinating humanitarian aid, calling for peace) and resting (processing the trauma and self/community care).

A rabbi and imam on how they're counseling their communities - NPR, 10/2023

“…And she said the real dividing line is not between Israelis and Palestinians but between those who believe violence is the answer and those who believe there is another way. And I believe there's another way. And Imam Herbert believes there's another way. And most of us believe that there's another way. So together, we have to reject the very reductive idea that Jews and Palestinians must be enemies eternally and instead create a different way of finding one another in relationship and lifting up and affirming our own humanity and one another's.” - Rabbi Sharon Brous

Read or Listen

Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order Streamlining Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Efforts to Improve Accessibility Across the Commonwealth, October 11, 2023

“The Executive Order creates a Behavioral Health Council, bringing together state leaders, local governments, and community providers to develop a statewide action plan to address how to break down silos and deliver timely and quality mental health and addiction care services. 

In keeping with Governor Shapiro’s work to ensure government is delivering for Pennsylvanians, Council members will develop specific recommendations to decrease the wait time for care or services for individuals with mental health illness or substance use disorder. Learn more, including the development of an additional advisory committee of community and provider experts.”

To ensure we don't contribute to that spooky statistic, Mother Compost has some tips to help all your seasonal décor makes its way to the farm!

Free Mother Compost Drop Locations - available now through December 3rd

Please be respectful of their drop bin hosts. Aim to drop off pumpkins during normal business hours. If bins are full upon arrival, place pumpkins neatly next to bins. Thank you to Bethel AME Church of Ardmore for sharing!

Bethel AME Ardmore - 163 Sheldon Ln, Ardmore, pumpkin bins located within the fenced area to the right

Temple Beth Am Israel - 1301 Hagys Ford Rd, Penn Valley, bins located at the bottom of the parking lot

St. Raphaela Center - 616 Coopertown Rd, Haverford, pull all the way into the center and make a right. Bins are located at the far right of the parking lot.



Tredyffrin Library - 582 Upper Gulph Rd, Strafford, bins located in the lower parking lot

Bucks County Officially Reopens Emergency Operations Center

The Bucks County Commissioners joined with county Emergency Services officials to announce the completion of renovations to the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). With its new improvements, the EOC now boasts expanded meeting and workspaces outfitted with updated technology that enhances in-person, hybrid and virtual meeting and collaboration capabilities. Learn more!

Learn more about the new, free shuttle in Horsham Township!



The new Horsham Office Park Shuttle (H.O.P.S) is now available to commuters traveling from the SEPTA Ft. Washington Station and Horsham office parks. It is even free to all riders!

Check out the details here.

Micromobility Playbook - SEPTA Forward

Under SEPTA's Strategic Plan Forward, the playbook is an update to make using micromobility with transit seamless and convenient for people in our region. The plan includes recommendations for improving systemwide access to transit stops, expanding station amenities, vehicle accommodations and connections to the transportation network and providing a framework to increase ridership by better accommodating riders that use micromobility. To get your copy, click here.

Thank you to the Partnership TMA for sharing!

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Funder Communications

The Strategic Communication Planning Hub is a free resource designed to help non-profits and organizations of all sizes become more skilled in the fundamentals of communication.

Power up your funder communications! Sustaining your impact means creating a strong network of funders who are committed to your vision. Learn how to attract the attention of funders, build trust and credibility, and create shared understanding about the importance of your work.

Download this resource and view other communication topics and resources!

New Report! Sealing Eviction Records for Housing Stability and Economic Prosperity from Community Legal Services

Since the start of the pandemic, Pennsylvania landlords have filed more than 280,000 evictions. This court record is what is commonly called an ‘eviction record.’ It doesn’t matter if the landlord drops the case the next day, or if the tenant wins in court. Those court records remain publicly viewable forever. As a result, an eviction record follows a person every time they apply for a new home, making it much more difficult to access safe, stable housing.

Advancing Pennsylvania’s Housing Futures: Sealing Eviction Records for Housing Stability and Economic Prosperity, a new report from PolicyLink and Community Legal Services, illuminates the devastating impact of eviction records on PA families. The report also reviews PA’s eviction prevention strategies during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and examines federal regulatory and state legislative actions around tenant screening. Read the full report here, with policy recommendations below:

1. Advance an ecosystem of responses to a multifaceted problem. This includes modernizing court record-keeping practices, curbing data-scraping, regulating the tenant screening and consumer reporting industry, and requiring fair and objective criteria for tenant screening.

2. Improve enforcement of existing protections. This includes strengthening legal frameworks, implementing robust enforcement practices and penalties, creating public education campaigns and stakeholder workshops, and allocating resources for enforcement.

3. Create a new framework to seal, expunge, or otherwise shield tenants’ names from unproven, disproven, or outdated eviction records. This includes comprehensive legislative action and balancing transparency and privacy through court rule changes.

LCN Named as Digital Navigator Site for Expanded 2-1-1 Program

The Literacy Council of Norristown is thrilled to announce that LCN has been chosen by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Comcast to expand the Digital Navigator Network in Montgomery County!

Residents of Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties can call 2-1-1 to receive access to high-speed internet and training to improve their digital skills and more! This impactful program will help bridge the digital divide and they are so proud to be a part of the network. In addition, Comcast gave LCN 50 new computers for their learners, which will connect them to the internet and to the digital community so that they can access jobs, healthcare, family and friends, education, and so much more.

Learn more, and connect with LCN!

Human Services Co-Responders: “We want to change the world”

“In Bucks County, Co-Responders assist officers in 18 police departments as of 2023. Co-responders are social service professionals who work collaboratively with police to divert people in need of social services away from the criminal justice system. The program aims to decrease the time law enforcement spends responding to situations involving social service needs to provide a more effective emergency response. Since the program launched in 2020, the co-responders have received more than 1,100 referrals. In this episode of Bucks County Conversations, they talk to co-responders Cara Gadzinski and Christopher Doheny to hear about their experiences on the job.” Tune in!

Bucks County Conversations is a podcast that captures real conversations happening within Bucks County's government. Each episode features topical, important discussions about the county, including key points of the Bucks County Commissioners’ meeting, and discussion of new projects, initiatives and upcoming events. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Addressing Homelessness in Bucks County

Feedback is currently being collected to help draft a strategic plan to address homelessness in Bucks County. As part of the process, a community survey has been developed and is seeking input from everyone and all sectors across Bucks County. This feedback will be used to identify needs, gaps, concerns, and develop shared goals to address homelessness.

This survey is open to every member of the Bucks County community and will close November 16th. Please forward to any agency, organization, individual, and/or community listservs you may be a part of. If you have other questions or thoughts, please email [email protected].

Take the Survey: English and Spanish

Pennsylvania Department of Health Office of Health Equity - Southeast Region Community Insight Survey

Share your voice! Complete the 2023 SE Region Community Insight survey, open until December 15th. The results of this survey will be used for the purpose of expanding health initiatives in your community by the PA Department of Health’s Regional Health Equity Action Team. Scan the QR code to complete the survey.

Vision Update for 2050 from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission 



If you live, work, or play in Greater Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission wants to hear from you! Whether you have 5 minutes or more than 10 minutes to spare, your input matters in guiding investments and shaping the future for the region.

Take the survey!

Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice

Thank you to CTIPP for sharing this asynchronous 9-part advocacy series developed by Whitney Moris. This asynchronous workshop series teaches skills that model the model and will help you develop into the strongest advocate possible. Each module provides a video, audio transcript, PowerPoint slides, resources, and reflective exercises to support your trauma-informed journey. Learn more!

Shapiro Administration Invites Foodbanks, Soup Kitchens to Apply for $2.5 Million in 2nd Round of Emergency Food Assistance Funding

On October 18, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invited qualified food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens that offer emergency food assistance to apply for $2.5 million in funding available through round two of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants.

TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants are awarded to organizations distributing USDA Foods through TEFAP contracts with the state, county, or a county-designated Lead Agency. Funded projects include expanded cold storage, warehouse space and equipment, delivery vehicles for food distribution, and other investments that expand TEFAP’s reach into isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities. Apply online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Single Electronic Application. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2023. Apply here.

Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation converts from a private to a community foundation! Announced October 2023

Community foundations rely on public support and focus on improving the quality of life within a specific geographic area. In their case, that means serving residents within a ten-mile radius of Pottstown, including communities like Birdsboro, Boyertown, Coventry, Gilbertsville, Limerick, Royersford, and many others. 

As a publicly supported charity, PAHWF is engaged in building permanent funds of all sizes and established by many separate donors who are interested in partnering with the Foundation to carry out their passions. While the core of the Foundation's portfolio, generated from the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in 2003, will always be dedicated to promoting health and wellness, new funds will allow them to expand their grantmaking to meet a wide spectrum of community needs now and well into the future. Learn more!

Black Justice Fund Update

HealthSpark Foundation

In 2024, the Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund will initiate a third grant round. HealthSpark is currently in the recruitment phase for the next Community Action Team that will guide Fund activities and grant recommendations. If you are a Black leader interested in serving on the Community Action Team, please reach out to Akshara Vivekananthan, Program Officer, at [email protected].

Since the National Council for Mental Wellbeing brought Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to America in 2008, Instructors have trained over 3 million First Aiders from all 50 states and U.S. territories. But that’s just the beginning! The National Council's new goal is to train one out of every 15 people in America in MHFA, ensuring that everyone has a close friend they can turn to when experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Become a First Aider! Participate in one of these upcoming trainings, and share the flyers with your colleagues.

Generations

Veterans Day Observation

Friday, November 10, 11:15am 

All noon meal donations are waived for Veterans on November 10! ($2 donation for all others as usual).

Before the meal, Veterans will be asked to stand and be recognized during a recording of the military medley. Generations will share moving historical information and presentations including POW/MIA and flag folding ceremonies. Guests are welcome. Separate registrations are required (by Nov. 8) for the Veterans Day event and the noon meal.

See what else is going on at Generations this month, including delicious meals, special programs and events: check out their newsletter! Learn more about Generations here. 

Learn more about what's happening at Montco SAAC, Norristown and Ambler locations!

Learn more about the programs happening too:

Special Programs and Events at Encore Experiences

Special Programs and Events at PEAK Center

Lead-Free Promise Project

Children First

Every year the promise of thousands of young children in Pennsylvania is diminished due to lead paint poisoning. Nearly 7,000 PA children are poisoned every year, yet these are only the children we know about as only 18% of children are tested.

The federal government banned lead in paint for use in our homes 40+ years ago, so we think the problem is solved, but tragically it is not. PA is an old state with 70% of houses built more than 40 years ago, so our windows and walls and railings and baseboards were coated with lead-based paint, and when it chips and flakes and dusts, it can irreversibly injure our children. Lead poisoning can rob children of their intellect causing brain damage and behavioral and learning problems – problems that follow babies into school and through young adulthood - that can lead to doing poorly in school and increased risk for dropping out of school and involvement in criminal activity.

The majority of the children who are harmed in PA are White. Children of color are disproportionately impacted, however, because they are more likely to live in older properties with deteriorated lead-based paint. Black children are harmed 4 times more and Hispanic children 2 times more than White children.

Learn how you and your organization can get involved in the Coalition and Lead-Free Promise Project! Website resources and toolkits share more information.

Learn more and register!

Juvenile Justice Reform: Webinar and Advocacy Opportunity

Children First

The Philadelphia Inquirer expose on the overcrowded state of the city’s juvenile detention center shows why juvenile justice reform is urgently needed. Most kids who get in trouble are not on a path to adult crime. Most young people in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system are there because of low-level behavior like misdemeanors or failure to pay fines and are low risk to reoffend. Young people who were locked up have lower graduation rates and higher struggles with physical and mental health, which can mean their dreams of a future die in juvenile detention.

Here are two ways you can take action to build stronger communities through common sense reform:

1. Register for the upcoming Children First webinar on juvenile justice reform to learn from local experts what changes need to happen now.

2. Click here to tell your state representatives to bring important juvenile justice reform legislation up for a vote. HB 1381, sponsored by Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), will make our communities safer by putting fewer kids in jail and expanding opportunities for them to make amends in their community through diversion programs.

Basic Education Funding Commission

Children First Advocacy Opportunity!

The Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) has been gathering public testimony over the past two months on how to reform PA’s unconstitutional public education funding system. It will soon draft a report with recommendations on how to deliver a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary education to every child in the Commonwealth. Here’s how you can make your voice heard before the report is finalized. 

1. Jump on a quick Zoom on Thursday, Nov 9th at 7:00 PM to submit your own public comment. Children First will walk you through the process of submitting your comments to the BEFC through their online system. Click here to register for this informal and fun workshop. If you need a little help getting started, here are some samples to spark some ideas, which will be covered in the workshop as well.

2. Join Children First in Harrisburg Tuesday, Nov 14th at Noon for a rally on the Capitol steps! Gather on the front steps of the Capitol (rain or shine) with a giant report card to tell Governor Shapiro and BEFC that their final report must include a clear and thorough calculation of how much each school district needs to meet the constitutional obligation to our student and a reasonable timeline for the implementation of their plan.

Click here to sign up to rally in Harrisburg!

National Young Readers Week

One House at a Time (OHAAT)

Celebrate National Young Readers Week with OHAAT & children’s author, Aisha Toombs, at Capricorn Books on November 18th from 11am-1pm in Jenkintown at 605 West Avenue! National Young Readers Week is observed from November 15th through 19th this year and celebrates the incredible world of books. Children can learn 4,000-12,000 words per year, just from reading! OHAAT is proud to raise awareness about the importance & joy of reading by hosting local author Aisha Toombs.

Aisha Toombs is a teacher, author, bee-enthusiast, and recipient of the Purple Dragonfly Award for Excellence in Children's Literature. Join to hear her read Brown Brainy Brilliant Bunnies and check out her other elementary-aged books, including the Nerdi Bunny series.