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Monthly News & Updates

October 2023

Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it." - Kalpana Chawla

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

Coming up with the Collaborative!

October

Download and share the flyer!

November

Download and share the flyer!

Save the Date!

Understanding Veterans'

Trauma and Health

Mini-Film Viewing and Panel Discussion

November 14, 10:00-11:30am, Zoom

Thank You to our Sponsors and Funders!

Bucks-Mont Collaborative Sponsors

Bucks-Mont Collaborative Funders

Upcoming Community Events

The National Human Services Assembly is commemorating its 100th Anniversary by hosting NHSA’s 2023 Centennial Summit: Advancing Human Services on October 12 from 12:00-4:30 PM ET.

This free Summit is intended to bring human service and other nonprofit professionals at all levels together to recognize the sector’s greatest accomplishments, address our most pressing issues, and envision our next 100 years. NHSA is proud to offer this event at no cost through the generosity of AdvantageTrust, a division of HealthTrust, and the Social Justice Initiative of Bryn Mawr College.

Up to 4 CEUs for this program can be made available for $25 through the Center for Professional Development at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research of Bryn Mawr College. The cost will be due by the registrant after NHSA has validated attendance and completion of program evaluation.

Thank you to PANO, the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, for sharing these free events with all of us!

Support at Work: Navigating Grief in Our Workplaces

Monday, October 16, 11:00 AM - 11:30am

Grief and loss impact our daily lives, both in and out of the workplace. Yet, we may have less comfort expressing our grief or seeking support at work, despite the many hours we spend there. This webinar will help you identify experiences of grief and loss and their impact on your work.

Managing Cyber Risk - a FREE Tech Impact Webinar

Tuesday, October 17 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

This webinar, led by Francis Johnson, Chief Technology Officer at Tech Impact, highlights a cybersecurity framework and technology that can help organizations to better understand and improve their management of cybersecurity risk and vigilantly protect their systems and data.

Race to Social Justice

Community Conversation

October 15th, 11:00am

St. Thomas Church - 7020 Camp Hill Rd, Fort Washington, PA 19034

Parish House Auditorium, bottom of the parking lot

On October 15, Parishioner John Kepner will lead a discussion on racial and social justice with guest Keva White and parishioner Marion Biglan. Mr. White conducts courses for executives, trustees and social work and health care professionals dealing with diversity, equity and inclusion and cultural competence. Marion, a professional diversity coach, partners with organizations to be more effective in fulfilling their missions. The program is designed to help us understand our faith-based personal responsibilities to address discrimination against people who are different. This session is inspired by the Race to Social Justice podcast series produced by White and Kepner available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud and YouTube.

Want to learn about zoning and how it affects your community?

Montgomery County Planning Commission will be offering a course on everything about zoning! This three-session course deals with probably the most complex topic in local planning. The course, limited to 25 participants, emphasizes the fundamentals for developing a sound zoning ordinance using the authority granted in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).

Course: The Course in Zoning

When: October 12, 19, 26

Where: Lansdale Borough Hall

Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Thank you to the Partnership TMA of Montgomery County for sharing!

QPR Training

Hope4Tomorrow Community

Join Ty Williams as he equips attendees to navigate the three steps to help save a life from suicide.

October 16th, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Zoom, Register Here

Dr. Roy Wade will present “The Traumatic Impact of Racism and Discrimination on Young People and How to Talk About It.”

October 20, 9am-11am

Review the chapter on this topic in advance, co-authored by Dr. Wade.

If you have any questions, please call the Hospitality Center at 610-277-1321. Thank you!

Fall Workshops

RSVP’s Volunteer Executive Consultants (VEC)

RSVP’s VEC provide free managerial consulting and educational services to existing and potential nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Join them in October and November!

Enhance Your Mission with Market Research

October 17, 2023 , 9:30am – 11:30am

Location: 901 E. 8th Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Every organization wants to market itself effectively to its volunteers, donors, and clients. But how many organizations start with research to understand their market? Marketing without research is like building a house without establishing a solid foundation. Join us for this in-person, interactive opportunity to explore basic market research techniques and how to apply them to your organization to create an effective marketing plan.

Legal Issues for Nonprofits: Fundraising and Governance

November 14, 2023

10:00am – 11:30am via Zoom

Do you have questions about the legal responsibilities that 501(c)(3) designated nonprofits must consider to be compliant with state and federal regulations? Marla K. Conley and Sam Hudson of Conley Law Group LLC, Legal Counsel for Nonprofits will discuss legal issues raised in both governing nonprofit entities and fundraising for Pennsylvania charities.

More Community Events

Chip Away at Lead Poisoning

Lead-Free Promise Project Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Conference

Leaders from the PA Department of Health, officials from local health departments, leading public health professionals, advocacy nonprofits, state-agency leaders, and policymakers are invited to an informative day of conversations and presentations.

This free conference will give attendees important, and potentially lifesaving, practices to identify and respond to children with elevated blood lead levels - while providing assistance through public health and human services, identification of gaps in services and resources, key policy issues of funding, and the sustainability of programs will also be examined.

Week Without Violence: October 16th - 21st

YWCA Tri-County Area

For over 20 years, YWCA USA & associations across the country have observed a Week Without Violence in October with a common goal: Together, we can end violence.

Learn more and get involved!

Webinar: Learn How to Become a Great Manager

Nonprofit Quarterly

In this session, participants will:

• Learn the three dimensions of

effective management for social

change: equitable, sustainable, and

results-driven

• Learn the concepts of ‘conspire and

align’ as a foundation for their

practice as a manager

• Identify one concrete practice they

can start now to be a more effective

manager

This session is ideal for new and seasoned managers alike. This is an opportunity to learn directly from the authors and co-creators of a framework developed specifically for social change managers at this moment is our sector's evolution.

HRIS Solutions for Smaller Employers

Thursday, October 19, 12:15 p.m.

• Common features of smaller-scale

HRIS solutions

• Weighing employee self-service

benefits, potential pitfalls

• Implementation considerations

• Typical costs, fee structure

Best Practices in Employee Onboarding

Thursday, November 30, 12:15 p.m.

• Effective onboarding and its

impact on longer term retention

• Tips for engaging new hires from

day one

• Compliance essentials

• Automating the process

Fall Forum

Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce

Join the fall forum: The Journey of Successful Women Business Owners on October 17, 11:00am - 12:30pm, for a panel discussion of your business peers. Be inspired by these stories from local businesswomen! The forum is free to attend, but they hope you decide to join for lunch at the Washington House immediately following the program. Lunch is an additional fee.

Learn more and sign up!

State Charitable Solicitation Statutes: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask

PANO

10/12/2023 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM ET

Most charities that seek contributions nationally are required to register in 39 states and the District of Columbia requires registration before starting to solicit. What about for-profit fundraisers? Are they required to register and file their contracts and other documentation in some states?

Since many states are increasing their enforcement efforts to ensure that charities and fundraisers are complying with initial and annual registration requirements, it's important that charities and fundraisers abide by these statutes—especially since noncompliance can result in the imposition of significant fines and penalties. Learn more!

Corporations gave nearly $30 billion to charities in 2022, but the corporate giving landscape is shifting.

Many companies are redefining the focus of their giving; company structures are changing, and leaders feel greater pressure to show the impact of their donated dollars. So, competition for corporate philanthropic dollars is more intense than ever.

How are nonprofits attracting corporate support in 2023, and what are companies looking for in nonprofit partners?

Join for the webinar, Corporate Grant Seeking in the Current Climate, on Thursday, October 26 at 2 PM ET. Don't miss this chance to gain firsthand insights into the state of corporate giving and what’s working now for nonprofits winning support.

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

Presentation: Pottstown Community Survey and New Response Fund

November 1, 3:-4:15pm

Since inception, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation has conducted Community Health Needs Assessments in partnership with Public Health Management Corporation to learn about community health conditions in the Tri-County Area. This past year, the assessment focused on census block groups in Pottstown with historic disinvestment. To respond to community health issues in this area, the Foundation has partnered with Strategy Arts to design a community response fund through a participatory grantmaking process.

Learn about the results of the Pottstown Community Survey and hear about a new Grant Program designed to specifically address results from the survey and community conversations.

News, Reports, and Tools

Fair Housing Trends Report

National Fair Housing Alliance

Every year the National Fair Housing Alliance publishes its Fair Housing Trends Report. The 2023 Report shows the highest number of complaints ever reported in a single year, along with an increase in complaints based on source of income and domestic violence. Pennsylvania recorded 944 total complaints in 2023. The three most commonly alleged forms of discrimination were on the basis of disability, race, and sex.

Read the report.

Thank you to Your Way Home for sharing!

LEAP: Leadership Moves Podcast

LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Advancement for Professionals), a project by ValorUS, launched a podcast series called “Leadership Moves.” This series is supported by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). On this podcast, contributors uplift the stories of leaders of color who carry the legacies of those who built the movement to end gender-based violence. They carry on the fighting spirit of giants who have moved on from this work like Sojourner Truth, Grace Lee Boggs, bell hooks, Ida B. Wells, Audre Lorde, and Yuri Kochiyama. Consider this their love letter to you and to aspiring leaders of color looking for belonging, inspiration, and affirmation. Listen to season one of the “Leadership Moves” podcast to learn from LEAP Leaders across the country on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

DOE Announces $25 Million To Help Communities Expand Affordable and Reliable Clean Energy Across America

September 14th, 2023, WASHINGTON, D.C. - "The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $25 million through the Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) partnerships program to help six community teams develop tailored decarbonization strategies and clean energy solutions. Local governments, electric utilities, and community-based groups working closely with experts from DOE’s national laboratories will utilize $8 million in award funding and up to $17 million in technical assistance to research, model, and deploy clean energy systems that are reliable, affordable, equitable, and reflective of local priorities." Read the full article here.

Congratulations to the Delaware Valley team for being one of six teams selected across the country, including Collaborative members, Bucks County Opportunity Council and CADCOM!

Ready.PA.GOV is Pennsylvania’s emergency preparedness website that has information and resources on how to prepare for emergencies, including how to sign up for emergency alerts.

Sign up with AlertPA for emergency and weather-related alerts, health notifications, building alerts, and other updates from commonwealth and federal agencies. Once you sign up, a CodeRED Weather Warning will automatically alert you if your address falls in the path of severe weather, as determined by the National Weather Service.

Sign up with ReadyBucks for emergency and non-emergency alerts from Bucks County. This system enables Bucks County to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.

Thank you to Senator Steve Santarsiero for sharing!

Bucks County Breaks Ground on Updated Lower Bucks Government Services Center

The Bucks County Commissioners broke ground on September 28, 2023 at the future site of the updated Lower Bucks Government Services Center, announcing the impending start of construction on a project that will greatly improve public access to county government. When complete, the two-story, 39,000 square foot facility in Bristol Township will house accessible offices for 13 County departments, including some row offices and court offices. Departments with permanent offices in the new building will include: Adult Probation, Board of Elections , Children & Youth Social Services Agency, Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures, District Attorney’s Office, Domestic Relations, Health Department, Juvenile Probation, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Sheriff’s Office, Veterans’ Affairs, and Workforce & Economic Development. Learn more!

Multi-Faith Coalition

Learn more about the Multi-Faith Coalition, its mission and its team. The Montgomery County Multi-Faith Coalition is a convener of people from faith communities and service partners to promote collaboration, dialogue, and sharing resources & knowledge for the common good. Watch this beautiful video here.

PHAN: Medical Debt & Credit Scores

Pennsylvania Health Access Network

The Biden Administration has announced that it will take executive action to stop medical debt from impacting people’s credit scores. This proposed rule will provide relief to millions of people whose credit scores have been unfairly lowered simply because they got sick. PHAN is asking for your feedback on the impact of this executive action and news. Take the survey, and learn more here!

Taking Community Suicide Prevention to the Next Level - NAMI

Every community-led suicide prevention effort has its own origin story. Many were formed in the aftermath of a loved one's death or to address a community trauma. Some that already exist want to have a bigger impact. But before any group can make a difference for people in their community, they must answer a simple question: where do we start?...

A New Tool: Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and developed by the Education Development Center (EDC), Community-Led Suicide Prevention (CLSP) is a new website that helps local prevention staff make informed choices about how to create and reach their suicide prevention goals. The website provides curated, evidence-informed resources, and it is the first suicide prevention website intended specifically for communities across the U.S. CLSP gives practitioners the tools to figure out what the commonalities are between people dying by suicide in their communities, and it assists in identifying what the root causes of those suicides are.

NAMI Releases Latest Report Exploring State-Level Mental Health Legislation In 2022

Released: September 13, 2023

NAMI released a new publication: NAMI State Legislation Report: Trends in State Mental Health Policy (2022 ), which highlights and summarizes significant state mental health legislation from 2022. This report is intended as a guide for mental health advocates and policymakers when looking to create comprehensive mental health policies in their states. Learn more!

Advocacy

Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice

Advocacy Opportunities & Toolkit

Urge Congress to support the RISE from Trauma Act (S. 1426 and H.R. 4541) to expand the trauma-informed workforce in schools, healthcare settings, social services, first responders, and the justice system and increase community resources to address the impact of trauma.

Urge Congress to support the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act (S. 1452 and H.R. 3073) to help communities proactively develop local strategies that build population-level resilience by planning for and responding to the mental health challenges caused by disasters and toxic stress.

TOOLKIT: Free resources to help you urge Congress to support trauma-informed federal legislation.

Voting Information

Thank you very much to PA Youth Vote for developing these voter toolkits and sharing them widely with all of us for nonpartisan voter education and outreach!

Voter Toolkits and 1-Page Overviews:

Allegheny County Voter Toolkit

1-Page Overview

Bucks County Voter Toolkit

1-Page Overview

Chester County Voter Toolkit

1-Page Overview

Delaware County Voter Toolkit

Funders & Funding

Letters of Interest: Trail Junction Center, Norristown

Montgomery County Planning Commission

The Montgomery County Planning Commission is collecting Letters of Interest in support of the activation/renovation of the Trail Junction Center in Norristown. MCPC envisions that the facility will be used by various community nonprofits (e.g., outdoor theater by Theatre Horizon, interactive art activities by Expressive Path, concerts by Rotation Records) and for-profit businesses (e.g., pop-up food and makers markets, maybe a small bicycle shop/rental, pop-up beer garden) and also public entities. Instructions to submitting Letters of Interest are here. Learn more here! MCPC will hold a site meeting for interested parties at 1 pm on Thursday, October 12for a tour and to answer any questions.

Thank you to Representative Greg Scott for sharing these grant opportunities!

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PA Academic, Career and Technical Training (PACTT)

Funds are being made available to existing PACTT Affiliates to support efforts in one or more areas designed to further develop the job readiness, academic, and employability skills of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

Application Deadline: October 13, 2023

More info: PCCD Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Coastal Zone Grant Program

Grants may be applied to a wide variety of studies, plans, designs, research, acquisition, and construction projects pertaining to one or more of the established Coastal Resources Management Program policies. For Municipalities, area-wide agencies, state agencies, educational institutions, conservation districts, port authorities, public authorities, or incorporated nonprofit organizations.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 16, 2023

More info: DEP Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Driving PA Forward Initiative Clean Diesel Grant Program

Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include but are not limited to: verified exhaust controls; engine upgrades and certified remanufacture systems; verified idle reduction technologies; certified engine replacements; aerodynamic technologies; and/or certified vehicle or equipment replacement.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2023

More info: DEP Website

Scattergood Foundation (Advertised by Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs): REACH PA

In partnership with Vital Strategies, the Scattergood Foundation is offering grants of up to $50,000 to support the work of Pennsylvania’s community-based organizations in order to reduce the incidence of negative health effects and the number of fatal overdoses among BIPOC people who use drugs.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

More info: REACH PA

Department of Environmental Protection: Environmental Education

The Environmental Education Grants Program provides funds to support a wide range of environmental education projects including meaningful, hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2023

More info: DEP Website

Pennsylvania Department of Education: Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities

Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs to plan, acquire, construct, or rehabilitate public library facilities. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, roof or window replacement, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction.

Application Deadline: October 13, 2023

More info: PDE Website

Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program

Eligible projects include construction and renovation of facilities, purchase or repair of fixtures and furnishings, office equipment and support services, repair or purchase of equipment and more. For a volunteer fire company, a municipal fire company, a combined volunteer and municipal fire company, an airport fire company, a volunteer emergency medical services company, or a career medical services company

Application Deadline: October 20, 2023

More info: OFSC Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program

The Program is a first-come, first-served grant program that provides matching grants to assist small businesses undertaking energy efficiency, pollution prevention or natural resource conservation projects.

Application Deadline: Grants will be accepted through March 22, 2024 or when funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.

More info: DEP Website

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Resources for Gun Violence Victims Needs Assessment & Technical Assistance Initiative

The primary purpose of this initiative is to assess the needs of gun violence victims/survivors in communities across Pennsylvania in order to develop and pilot a new strategy to coordinate outreach and service delivery in an area with chronic and/or increasing levels of gun violence.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2023

More information: PCCD Website

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program

Funding is available to all counties seeking to establish or expand a jail-based substance use disorder treatment program that supports individuals incarcerated in a county jail or transitioning from a county jail to the community.

Application Deadline: October 18, 2023

More info: PCCD Website

Pennsylvania Department of Education Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 12

The primary goal of these centers is to assist students with meeting state and local standards for core subjects such as reading and mathematics, by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities. In addition to academics, centers may also offer participants a broad array of other services and programs, such as art, music, service learning, character education, drug and violence prevention programming, recreation activities and technology education.

Application Deadline (multi-step): October 16 - November 9, 2023.

More info: PDE Website

Department of Education: PA Hunger-Free Campus

Eligible proposals must focus on addressing the goals of the PA Hunger-Free Campus initiative, which include addressing hunger and other basic needs for students, creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates, providing resources and strategies for campuses, and support opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2023

More info: Department of Education

Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund

The MTF program provides grants to ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of this commonwealth.

Application Deadline: November 13, 2023

More info: PennDOT website

Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide

Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.

Application Deadline: November 30, 2023

More info: DCED Website

Health and Wellness

Interfaith Philadelphia

Visionary Women

Are you seeking meaningful relationships with women across different faith traditions and backgrounds? Interfaith Philadelphia invites women of all walks of life to join a supportive and collaborative community committed to religious understanding and social harmony. Join for this multi-session journey that includes live group meetings at faith locations throughout the city.

Learn more and register!

NEW Support Group

NAMI Montgomery County

The Anxiety & Depression Support Group for Black and Brown Women will start on Wednesday, October 25th! The group will continue on each 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month virtually at 7 pm. Registration is free but required. Please sign up here.

NEW: NAMI Teen and Young Adult Helpline

“More than 4 in 10 youth felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, and 1 out of 3 students experienced poor mental health. To help with this mental health crisis among teens and young adults, NAMI has officially launched the new NAMI Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine, a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to teens and young adults. It provides a safe space for young people to connect with peers who understand their struggles and offers them resources and information that help. The HelpLine Specialists are young adults with firsthand knowledge of mental health challenges who are experienced, well-trained and available by phone, text or chat to provide resources and guidance so no one needs to go through their mental health struggles alone.”

Text "Friend" to 62640

Chat at nami.org/talktous

Call 1-800-950-6264, Monday through Friday, 10am-10pm ET

October Support Groups

NAMI Montgomery County

Join or share a NAMI support group: register here!

The Lunch Hour: Free Complete Course Available

Collectively Rooted

Collectively Rooted, HEAL PA, and Resilient PA hosted a yearlong program with Maryann McEvoy, Executive Director of Governor Wolf’s Office of Advocacy and Reform and Child Advocate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and an ensemble of renowned thinkers, authors, and presenters who work in the field of trauma recovery. These conversations focused on issues that are deeply relevant to Pennsylvania residents and gave our community space to reflect on, identify, and address the trauma in their lives and communities.

You can tune in to these 12 conversations here, and sign-up for free to review the recordings and materials!

Lakeside Blog, Gerry Vassar

Non-Profit Leadership: Solitude Deficiencies

“…One problem is typically we are conditioned to be busy either at work or at home. We are not in the practice of finding healthy ways to balance our stress and emotions by breaking from the routines to find space that renews and energizes us. Some of us find brief moments in our vacations but we rarely integrate it into our everyday lives. For non-profits, we all need to develop opportunities for our staff members and leadership to find what gives them the time, space, and capability to find stress relief from their hectic jobs. We need to train it, implement it, measure and monitor it so we know our staff are integrating into their lives a good balance of their work and their ability to relieve that stress. It's time to be intentional and start the process with our leadership and those they lead in our organizations. It's time to rectify the solitude deficiency by integrating it into our practices and policies.”

The Office of Minority Health

Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Review this compilation of resources and a reading list: Better Health Through Better Understanding for Hispanics/Latinos: Health Literacy, Barriers to Healthcare, and Improving Language Access and Health Outcomes 2023 Reading List

Senior Services

The 2023 Regional Conference on Aging, presented by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

October 24th – 26th, 2023

Location: PCA’s offices – 642 North Broad Street, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is again offering a cutting-edge program and continuing education for professionals who work with older adults. Nationally and regionally recognized content experts will present relevant, practical and current information that will be immediately beneficial to anyone working in the aging arena. The conference is a cost-effective and convenient way to increase your knowledge and skills and get the CE credits you need. Register here.

Medicare Open Enrollment

October 15 - December 7, 2023

Open Enrollment is a time the government designates for you to explore your health care options and, if you decide, to make a change to your current plan effective Jan. 1, 2024. During this time, you can take the following steps:

• Join, drop, or switch to another

Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or

drop drug coverage).

• Switch from Original Medicare to a

Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in

Original Medicare.

• Switch from one Medicare drug plan

to another if you’re in Original

Medicare.

Learn more.

Thank you to the Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services for sharing!

The Stories of Our Lives

Wednesdays Oct. 11 - Nov. 15

12:45 - 2:15pm

Join Generations for another support group series in partnership with The Center for Loss and Bereavement (CLB). This is a program for those interested in shared discussion about life's journey, including personal experiences of loss and hardship along with rich stories of growth, joy, and wisdom. Click here for the full story and online registration.

Learn more about their October programs and meals, and look ahead to November!

Learn more about the PA Link to Aging & Disability Resources, and the wonderful work happening here in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties! The PA Link is part of a nationwide effort to take a seamless approach to the way we assist seniors and adults with disabilities who need help with activities of daily living. Learn more, and reach out to the Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties Coordinator, Elizabeth Doan, if you’re interested in any of the free presentations available through PA Link’s services.

Check out these in-person programs from the

Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services!

COVID and Flu Updates

Access these two campaigns: 1) Say Boo to the Flu and 2) Respiratory Virus Season is here – Protect Yourself and Your Family with Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines! Find these toolkits with social media images and text on the MCIC webpage, with materials available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. Thank you to MCIC for these campaign materials!

Free COVID Tests

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is currently accepting orders for free COVID tests. Here's how to get your free kits:

1. Visit special.USPS.com/testkits or you can also visit covidtests.gov.

2. Enter your contact details and shipping information.

3. Click "Check Out Now".

4. Verify that your information is correct and select "Place My Order".

All orders will be shipped via First Class Package Service.

Thank you to Bethel AME Church of Ardmore and Bethel Community Life Center for sharing!

Child Care and Education

YW3CA has several upcoming programs now enrolling!

Great Girls Today

Open to 4th - 6th grade girls in Berks, Chester & Montgomery Counties focused on empowerment, confidence, healthy decision making and positive relationships.

Girls In Charge

Girls In Charge is open to girls in 6th-8th grade looking to build confidence, practice healthy habits, and plan for a bright future.

Boys To Men'tors

Enroll your middle schooler in Boys to Men’tors! An after-school program designed to promote healthy choices and positive relationships!

Young Women Rising

Open to High School Girls, the Young Women Rising Program is a trauma-informed, self-development program that introduces tools that help youth focus on self-care while making mental health & wellness a priority early in life.

Men’tors to Men

Men’tors to Men offers young men in grades 9-12, help to develop life skills, address emotional and social issues adolescent boys face, and build healthy ways to push limits and test boundaries.

Parents Empowered for Change is a growing alliance of parents who want to make a real difference for children. They advocate for change in our communities, our cities, and across the Commonwealth. “Together, we will create the tools, resources, and services that give every child what they need to thrive!” If you are interested in building a brighter future for all PA kids, please fill out a member registration form to get connected to upcoming events and opportunities. Contact: Inella Ray, [email protected].

PA Schools Work Update

On February 7, 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled definitively that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional. On September 12^th, the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) began a series of 10 public hearings where they will gather testimony from education advocates and experts across the state. The BEFC will provide a report of its findings to the General Assembly by November 30, 2023. To fulfill the Court’s mandate, the BEFC must not only review the distribution of funding via the Basic Education Funding Formula. It must identify how much each district needs for the state to meet its constitutional obligation that every student receives a “meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically.” Stay connected and learn more!

Click HERE for the PA Schools Work Talking Points Memo about the BEFC.

Click HERE for a recording of the PA Schools Work webinar about the BEFC.

Get information for these Just For Us Girls events and more here.

Parent-Infant Resource Guide for 2023

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

Thank you to Montco HHS for this updated Parent-Infant Resource Guide!

Download it in:

English and Spanish

Gun Violence, Children, and Mental Health

Child Guidance Resource Center

Saturday 10/21/23, 9:00am - 12:30pm

Watkins Center, 326 Watkins Ave, Upper Darby, PA

“Gun Violence, Children, and Mental Health” will be this event’s focus, giving the community an opportunity to receive information from organizations, community leaders, and legislators striving to assist families who have suffered from trauma and loss due to gun violence. The event will include a resource fair, two separate panel discussions, and an opportunity for youth to learn from and interact with law enforcement.

Learn more and sign up!

Thank you to Children First for this action alert! “Tell Congress to fight for child care! The state budget did not address the growing teacher shortage and so, without action from Congress, even more child care classrooms and programs will close. Sign on to the Start Strong PA campaign telling Congress to include child care dollars in current budget negotiations.”

Food, Housing, and Financial Resources

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: November 11th-18th

This year, National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will take place November 11th-18th. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual event where people across the United States come together to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding educational, service, fundraising, or advocacy events in their local communities. Learn more!

Gain organizing toolkits here.

Fair Housing Compliance and Beyond for Nonprofit Housing Providers

Friday, October 27, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Community Partners Building, 2506 N. Broad St, Colmar, PA

Presenters: Carolyn Steinhofer and Rachel Wentworth, MCRP, Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania

This training will review the compliance responsibilities of nonprofit and supportive housing providers and shelters under the Fair Housing Act and other applicable civil rights laws, as well as HUD program rules. Common fair housing issues experienced by program participants along with best practices for avoiding discrimination or the perception of discrimination will be discussed along with strategies for increasing access for each of the protected classes.

First Saturday Free Farm Stand!

Bethel AME Church of Ardmore

Come out for their monthly Free Farmer’s Market from 12-2PM to receive fresh produce!

Last Stand: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Volunteer Here!

Help needed: Code Blue Shelter in Plymouth Meeting

The Code Blue Emergency Shelter located at the Church on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting has put a call out for volunteers to help staff the shelter this winter. Shelters like this one play a critical role during winter months, giving individuals experiencing homelessness a safe place to go when temperatures drop to dangerous levels. Volunteer roles include shelter monitoring and laundry and cleaning. Learn more and sign up!

Thank you to the Montgomery County Reentry Initiative and Family Services of Montgomery County for sharing these materials from their recent Financial Wellness Training with Becky MacDicken, Outreach Specialist Financial Services, PA Department of Banking and Securities.

Getting Right with your Taxes

Credit Freeze Request and Credit

Report Dispute Letter

ChexSystem Information

Money Values Worksheet

19th Annual Homes Within Reach Conference

December 6 – December 8, 2023

Join the conversation and plans that focus on programs and policies to address systemic disparities and promote the inclusion and growth of people of all backgrounds at the 19th annual HOMES WITHIN REACH: Unlocking Solutions, Changing the Landscape. Unpack, plan, strategize, and organize for a full housing recovery!

The Homes Within Reach conference provides an opportunity for housing professionals, service providers, tenants, landlords, local government, community builders, and those passionately committed to ensuring a home for every Pennsylvanian to come together to learn, connect, and network. Learn more and register!

Jobs and Support

2024 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards 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 Innovations 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!

Generations of Indian Valley is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving older adults and helping them to remain well, independent, and connected with others. Among their many support services, Generations provides the Home Delivered Meal Program (Meals on Wheels) in 15 surrounding municipalities, serving as many as 200 people with two meals each day.

In addition, Generations provides a noon meal program for any individual over the age of 60, regardless of economic need. Along with this nutritional support for both homebound and active older adults, Generations provides clients and participants with opportunities for socialization and personal contact through their delivery and dining room volunteers.

Two new positions are now available! Learn more about joining the wonderful, caring team at Generations as the Kitchen Coordinator for Meals on Wheels or Assistant to the Culinary Director.

Interfaith Philadelphia is one of the few organizations in the country with the expertise to help employers respond to workplace issues centering on religious diversity in the DEI conversation. Learn more and connect!

Bucks County Opportunity Council

Food Program Operations Coordinator

This BCOC role helps to support the Food Program Manager in the day-to-day operations of the Food Program. Primary responsibilities include maintaining receipt, inventory, distribution, and delivery of food for distribution as well as other general warehouse responsibilities.

The Food Program Operations Coordinator is a team-oriented role that works collaboratively with other BCOC Food Programs. This would be a full-time position located out of Doylestown. Learn more and apply!

Applications for LEAP cohort 10 are now open!

For over 10 years, the Leadership Education and Advancement for Professionals (LEAP) Project has created space for over 100 advocate-leaders and women of color in leadership positions to build their executive-level skills, “pay it forward” to leaders of color in their community, and ultimately, strategize toward equitable and inclusive workplace cultures, service provision, and education to communities of color across the United States and Territories.

Learn more and join this cohort!

Join the Along the Way team!

Two Executive Searches Underway!

Catalyst Center for Nonprofit Management

Montgomery County Anti-Hunger Network.

The Board of Directors of the Montco-Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN) a nonprofit organization, seeks an experienced and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization through their future growth. The Executive Director has responsibility for implementing strategic initiatives to advance the organization’s mission, vision, and goals. The ideal candidate will provide long-range visionary leadership to guide MAHN’s growth and impact, as well as interface with community stakeholders on the work of MAHN. Learn more!

The Open Link.

The Board of Directors of The Open Link (TOL), a nonprofit organization, seeks an experienced, ambitious, and mission-conscious Executive Director who can build upon TOL’s history of a nurturing and vibrant organization. Learn more!

To apply or learn more, please contact Liz Vibber, [email protected].

Foundations of Interfaith Leadership Certificate Program

Interfaith Philadelphia

Thursdays, October 12- November 16

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

What is interfaith leadership? What does it take, and what’s its impact? Through this interactive, community learning experience, you’ll explore these questions and more. Gain a roadmap for developing (or continuing to develop) the vision, knowledge, and skills required to contribute to the realization of a truly interfaith Philadelphia and America.

Learn more and sign up!

More Jobs & Support Including Member Job Postings!

Thank you for joining us and for supporting your fellow members.

See you next month!

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Bucks-Mont Collaborative

We produce results-oriented impact on health and human services issues in our community through education, collaboration, and advocacy.