Board of Directors are essential for the success and sustainability of nonprofit organizations. They provide strategic direction, ensure financial stability, and uphold the mission and values of the organization. By bringing together diverse skills and perspectives, board members help nonprofits navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and maintain accountability to their stakeholders and communities.
If you are a local nonprofit with an opening on your Board, please fill out the form here.
A Child's Light (ACL) provides expedited access to trauma-informed mental health treatment for children ages 2-18 recovering from severe abuse and trauma such as sexual or physical trauma. Program participants receive private mental health support from a therapist in the organizations network at no cost for an average of 9-12 months. ACL collaborates with school districts, law enforcement, and numerous social service nonprofit agents in the region to receive referrals and address the needs of the community.
ACL funds modalities of psychological treatment beyond traditional talk therapy and includes support for Equine Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Parent/Child Interactive Therapy. In the future ACL hopes to add Music and Horticultural Therapy, and Martial Arts empowerment programs. The organization is committed to assisting clients in the best way possible and with modalities which are most effective for their unique needs.
Over the past few years, ACL witnessed a substantial need within the county. ACL has experienced tremendous growth within the past few years due to the challenges in Chester County in being able to reach and support the growing number of children and young people experiencing mental health emergencies. In many cases, ACL is the only resource available to help these children gain access to the care they desperately need.
Since 2019, ACL has grown, increasing the number of children served threefold. To date, the organization has funded longterm mental health treatment for more than 160 children and expects that number to continue to grow throughout 2024 and beyond. Additionally, ACL remains the top-of-mind resource in the region and continually fields emails and phonically from people looking for mental health resources.
BOARD MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION
PURPOSE: To serve as a voting member of the body that hs the authority and responsibility to develop policies, procedures and regulations for the conduct of A CHILD'S LIGHT mission and to actively participate in fundraising efforts.
TERMS: Two (2) years (unless elected to fill an unexpired term of shorter duration). Subject to board term limits.
TERM LIMITS: Maximum of three(3) two-year terms, to be voted on by the full board prior to the end of each two-year term. Past board members may be considered to return to the board after a two-year period.
MEETING ATTENDANCE: Attend twelve (12) Board meetings each year, typically held every other month. Attend committee meetings as scheduled. Attend special meetings when called. Board members who miss two consecutive meetings, unexcused, may be removed for the Board by a majority of the Board members. Board Officers may meet in the event of an urgent issue and /of if the full board cannot be reached.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1) Board member donations are critical in the fundraising process, as many funders require 100% of the Board to support an organization before thy will consider ending it themselves. As a result, we require Board members to support A CHILD'S LIGHT financially to the best of their ability, by
a. Annually making a personally meaningful gift;
b. Selling tickets and sponsorships, and assisting with fundraising events whenever possible; and
c. Garnering other financial or in-kind support from the community, individuals and businesses.
2) Board members will support A CHILD'S LIGHT with expertise when called upon.
3) Board members will advocate for the represent A CHILD'S LIGHT in the most positive manner, including representing A CHILD'S LIGHT at community events.
4) Attend Board meetings regularly and on time.
a) Become informed in advance on agenda items and supporting materials.
b) Contribute knowledge and comments based on personal experience
c) Consider other points of view, make constructive suggestions, and help the Board make decisions consistent with agency's mission.
5) Attend meetings of any standing committees and ad hoc committees to which appointed.
6) Assume leadership when asked.
7) Serve on at least one committee and actively participate in committee meetings.
8) Hold in confidence all discussions and information given to the Board Directors.
9) Be informed about A CHILD'S LIGHT programs and policies.
10) Attend as many A CHILD'S LIGHT events as possible, both fundraising and other types of events.
11) Become educated about the needs of the general community and citizens these need relate to the agency's mission.
12) Complete an annual Confrot of Interest statement.
13) Complete an annual Confidentiality statement.
14) Annually evaluate overall Board performance as well as personal Board performance.
For more documentation please contact current Board Chair
BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Board meets in person the fourth (4th) Tuesday monthly.
Virtual meetings allowed situationally
Current Organizational Needs:
Community Relations and Partners
Marketing and Special Events
Other Available Opportunities-
Event Volunteers
Fundraising Volunteers
Barclay Friends mission is to provide a continuum of services to older adults, with a focus on compassion and kindness, excellence, and continuous improvement.
At our campus in the Borough of West Chester, Barclay Friends offers skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, personal care, residential loving, and memory support services.
The board has recently approved an aggressive three-year Strategic Plan. Board members are actively working on several strategic initiatives focused on the future of Barclay Friends, while providing oversight and guidance to the Leadership Team in current areas of finance, clinical excellence, and compliance.
There are six board meetings per year and six Committee meetings per year. Each board member serves on at least one committee. Annual giving is required but amount is left to the board member.
Board meetings are held every other month on the 4th Thursday of the odd month. In person is preferred with an option for virtual/hybrid. Committee meetings are held every other month, on the even month.
Barclay Friends is interested in continuing our goal of adding more diversity on our Board. We are currently looking for business and development, architecture/engineer/construction, law expertise, and background in social services.
Committee participation and special events and development.
To enrich the lives of older adults living within our community by providing services that enhance the dignity and quality of their lives.
Brandywine Valley Active Aging operates two senior community centers (campuses) currently located in the City of Coatesville and the Borough of Downingtown.
Brandywine Valley Active Aging's programs and services are designed to address the critical needs of four social determinants of health. Currently, our work focuses on:
Food Security: access to affordable and nutritious foods to ensure healthy living; accomplished through a daily breakfast and lunch program and weekly and emergency food distribution programs.
Economic Security: one-on-one support and stabilization of the independence of older adults, which could include housing, transportation, employment, emergency shelters, financial aid, senior care, volunteer opportunities, housing stability/homeless case management, and more. Brandywine Valley Active Aging provides Chester County's only Housing Stability and Homeless Case Management program specifically for adults 60 and older.
Health and Wellness: programming that addresses the maintenance or improvement of functional fitness (activities of daily living) and educational programs that address chronic conditions. Brandywine Valley Active Aging manages Chester County's county-wide Community Wellness Program (evidence-based programs).
Social Connectedness: opportunities for social participation and integration, positively impacting older adults' health, lessening memory decline and cognitive impairment.
Brandywine Valley Active Aging, formerly Coatesville Area Senior Center and Downingtown Area Senior Center, formed in January 2021.
The organization adopted a five-year strategic plan (2022) that focuses on building organizational strength and capacity by:
STAFFING: Goal: BVAA will be the employer of choice committed to investing in the individual and the whole, to ensure the successful recruitment of desired team members. Aspiration: BVAA will the top-rated workplace that attracts first-class staff.
DEIB: Goal: BVAA will ensure that all community members are guaranteed equitable access to services that support positive health aging. Aspiration: BVAA will afford every individual with equal opportunity to live with dignity and purpose.
FACILITIES: Goal: BVAA must invest in physical and virtual spaces that inspire creativity and appreciation while encouraging personal investments in healthy and active lifestyles. Aspiration: BVAA will showcase state-of-the-art campuses that inspire a modern vision of the traditional senior center.
FINANCES: Goal: BVAA will operate from a position of financial strength; becoming as efficient as possible in spending and by maximizing revenue generation. Aspiration: BVAA financial strength will be the bedrock for achieving optimal results today and into the future.
COLLABORATION: Goal: BVAA will strengthen our communities by harnessing collective strengths and serving as a model for collaboration. Aspiration: BVAA will pioneer a new age of community cooperation, collaboration, and sustainability.
Through the strategic plan, the board of directors has:
-Advanced equity in pay policies ensuring that no staff member earns less than 1/3 the hourly rate of the highest paid executive.
-Added a cost-share major medical health coverage plan for full-time staff.
-Opened participation in the retirement savings plan to all staff.
-Started the search for a permanent home for the Downingtown Campus (a proposed 15,000 square foot facility).
-Is organizing for the anticipate launch of a capital campaign (with a goal to raise $4M).
-Evaluated programs and services to ensure mission alignment and positive outcomes on community needs.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance at meetings is expected.
COMMITTEES:
Board members are expected to serve on at least one working committee of the board. Current committees include: Facilities, Finance, Fund Development, Mission Impact, and Special Events.
FUNDRAISING
100% board giving is required (the gift should be meaningful to the board member; however, we challenge board members to pledge a minimum of $50 per month).
Board members are expected to support fundraising events of the organization by attending, promoting, selling tickets, obtaining sponsorships, etc.
Currently, Board Meetings are held at 8:30AM on the third Wednesday of the month (excluding December and one summer month) at our Coatesville Campus. While meetings are scheduled for 90 minutes, our goal is to keep them as close to 60 minutes as possible. In-person attendance is preferred; however, virtual attendance is possible and accepted.
Committees meet monthly unless the committee chair determines otherwise.
Brandywine Valley Active Aging would benefit from individuals who have strong understanding of the following:
-Accounting and Finance (cash-flow and investing)
-Human Resources and Personnel Management
-DEIB (education and implementation)
Brandywine Valley Active Aging can benefit from individuals willing to share their expertise or passion by:
-Assisting with daily programs and services
-Leading new programs and activities
-Serving on board committees as non-board members
-Joining the volunteer family of Moo & Brew and Grapes too ... our signature fundraising event
The mission of the Care Center Foundation (CCF) is to promote community partnerships by providing a ministry of presence and spiritual support in the West Chester, PA community that it serves. The CCF empowers those who give and those who receive through creative educational, recreational, and social service activities
The Care Center Foundation has served the community for 42 years. With the support of churches in Chester county the programs support meals, clothing, holiday support, and social opportunities by facilitating the connection on weekends. During the week the center is a daycare from 7 am to 5 pm for young families with language barriers and financial struggles. The goals of the center are to provide a nurturing trauma informed center for displaced families, single parents, children living with grandparents and parents seeking safety in our community. The staff and curriculum are bilingual to bridge the opportunity to support a bilingual brain. Another program being launched for 6 months each year is the 6 pillars of mental health. Each month will present a topic in a fun way to reinforce the self care that is necessary to build a resilient mind that handles stress and life challenges. This program will be offered to staff, parents and children so that we model the skills and present a happy environment for the families.
The day care under the CCF has reopened on June 4, 2024. The board renewed the building by working with the Knights of Columbus (painters) and Sherwin Williams (paint) to paint the walls in trauma informed colors. Removed soiled carpet and replaced the first floor with linoleum. Hired a day care director to open the day care center.
Goals: sustain a trauma informed center for families and create a supportive network of services to bring resilience and positive choices , raise funds for roof repair and proposed solar panels, hire Executive Director
Board meetings are 10/year
50% attendance requirement
$1000 donation or service in kind
bring open mind and objective questioning
Meetings are the first Wed of month at 5 pm
In person attendance preferred
meetings can be virtual if out of town, sick or by request
Treasurer
member at large
Secretary
Fund raising
Event chair
HR
Enhance the abilities and support the independence of people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities throughout their lives. Our vision is an accessible community where every child has educational success, developmental growth and where adults with disabilities participate in and live as independently as possible.
The agency provides a number of programs, the Children’s Early Intervention program and the Adult and Community Social Services.
Our Early Intervention Program provides comprehensive services to children (ages birth to three) and families who are developmental delayed and/or disabled in their homes and the community. These services include: family coaching, special instruction/education, feeding services, physical, occupational and speech therapy, trauma informed care and infant mental health services.
Our Adult Program provides services to people with disabilities over the age of 18, so they can remain as independent as possible. The services can include: supports coordination and social work services, access to: home health attendants, home modifications, smart home technology, durable medical equipment and transportation. Nursing Home Transition Services are provided for individuals with disabilities who wish to move from a Nursing home back to the community.
Community Social Services (CSS) provides various services to adults and children with physical and medical disabilities in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. CSS includes: information and referral, social work services, person centered counseling for supporting persons in the community, an adaptive toy and equipment lending library, client assistance grants for assistive technology and CSS also includes: Storytellers a group that meets monthly to express themselves through storytelling and artwork
In early May of 2024 we held our one and only annual fundraising event, the Northbrook Canoe Challenge and Duck Race and Board members participated in various ways: by gaining corporate sponsors, Canoeing the day of the event, selling "duck" chances and even handing out t-shirts.
Also, the Board of Directors revised the organization's Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 and they continue to have discussions on a DEIBA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility) policy and plan.
General Board participation and attendance is required. Financial support is appreciated but not required. A passion for parents of children with disabilities and independence of adults with disabilities is highly encouraged.
The Board of Directors meet generally 5 to 6 times a year in the early evenings on the third or fourth Wednesday of the month at the Exton office with a virtual option.
We are looking for a diverse Board who has interest in general disability services that focus on our mission and vision.
Opportunities for assistance with technology and support for our yearly event, the Canoe Challenge and Duck race to raise needed funds is always appreciated.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The BSA (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) is focused on youth leadership development for both boys and girls. The program accepts youth from kindergarten through the age of 18.
Currently working on our new 3-year strategic plan. Focus is on serving more youth, offering the Scouting program in the most effective and efficient way, and in raising the funds to properly support the best offering of the Scouting program.
There are 5 board meetings a year and the absolute minimum attendance is 2. Committees meet on schedules decided by that committee, but most are quarterly. All board members are expected to participate in at least one board committee and at least one fundraising committee or event committee. Minimum personal financial commitment is $1000, although exceptions can be made for larger 'gets' from outside professional contacts.
Schedule varies, but is always either Thursday evening or Friday morning. Most, but not all, are hybrid. One Saturday in the spring there is a board retreat lasting approximately 7 hours. The other meetings are 90 minutes each. There is an Executive Committee that meets more often, but the Board meets 5 times a year.
Current gaps are in HR, program delivery oversight, and in local governance support. Legal, audit, and governance help is always welcomed.
Ideally, we would like to bring folks in at the committee level rather than straight onto the board. It gives us both time to 'test-drive' each other to understand the level of fit. Not to say that exceptions might not arise based on personal experience and background, but the committee start makes sense.
Current board projects are:
- currently working on the new 3 year strategic plan
- improving governance at multiple levels
- a new finance team is looking at how to better use or dissect our financial data for better decision making
- events committee always looking at ways to improve productivity
We envision a food secure Chester County… a community where everyone has access to food that promotes health and well-being.
We have cultivated a community-centered and holistic approach to not only address emergency needs but also the root causes of chronic food insecurity for households facing unique challenges in Chester County. Our approach is comprised of our community agency network, distribution, education and wellness, and farms and gardens.
Community Agency Network: Through our partnerships with our food and fund donors and the strategic infrastructure of our distribution systems, we are able to efficiently process and move food and resources throughout our county. Working with over 160 agencies to ensure we reach as many food insecure households as possible, our network of partners is purposefully diverse and our strongest asset as a food bank.Our Community Agency Network is comprised of our food distribution partners including Food Cupboards and Hot Meal Sites, School and Child Focused Organizations, Senior Focused Organizations, Health Care Providers, and Other Community Based Organizations.
Strategic and Inclusive Distribution: Chester County Food Bank plays a central role in ensuring families, individuals and seniors have the nutritious food they need. As a lifeline to those in need, we ensure access to real, healthy food by managing a variety of distribution strategies to reach diverse households throughout the county. Programs include bulk distribution, grocery boxes and prepared meals. Whether a partner site needs fresh foods, non-perishable foods, pre-made meals, pre-boxed foods, or a combination, we work with each agency to provide the right type and quantity of food while accommodating cultural preferences. We provide anything from weekly distributions, seasonal pop-up markets, to intermittent emergency support.
Education and Wellness:Together, our programs represent a well-rounded set of strategies to fill service gaps in the community. We target the highest need communities through our education and wellness programs, providing incredible depth and long-term connection. Our education, health, and wellness programs serve as food access points, offer opportunities for education, and promote social support and community collaboration, addressing the root causes of food insecurity. Our education and wellness programs include: Growing Healthy Kids, Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program, FRESHstart Kitchen, Fresh2You Mobile Market, Eat Fresh Cooking Classes, and Seed to Supper Gardening Classes. In addition, we have our culinary workforce development training program which provides a pathway out of poverty and helps students gain confidence and skills to begin a career in the restaurant industry. Establishing a career with a livable wage is the foundation to achieving self-sufficiency and food security. Many of the participants have faced extraordinary personal hardships and endured the challenges of generational poverty and systemic oppression.
Farm and Gardens: We have developed strategic food production and procurement initiatives as well as optimized the use of the incredible resources and partnerships of our area. Our Farm & Garden teams support us in providing the freshest food for our programs with the help of an industrious volunteer base and in our community kitchen.
At our partner farm sites, our staff and volunteers grow 160,000 pounds of vegetables seasonally. Our agriculture team facilitates educational opportunities and works with our program staff to grow culturally appropriate and commonly requested vegetables. These foods are processed in our kitchen and used for our Eat Fresh Cooking Classes and at the Fresh2You Mobile Market. We also support our network of local farms and producers by purchasing additional fruits, vegetables and other goods, to offer our communities the best in seasonal produce and locally made products.
Our Raised Bed Garden Program has over 100 gardens hosted at schools, food cupboards and social service agencies. Our partners collectively grow 40,000 pounds of vegetables annually for our network of food cupboards and meal sites.We provide growing education, thousands of seedlings, and building support to over 70 active garden partner sites. We prioritize gardens frequented by those at risk of food insecurity and work to uplift community gardens to promote equitable access. We provide online gardening resources in addition to our free six week Seed to Supper beginning gardening course for growing vegetables at home on a budget.
Board activity is based on our responsibilities and the needs of the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB).
Ongoing Activities include:
1. Legal and fiduciary duties with CCFB ensuring that legal and ethical standards/regulations are adhered to.
2. Oversight in assisting CCFB with strategic direction and ensuring their efforts are aligned with their mission. They recruit and orient new board members which includes a mentoring program as well as ongoing assessment of board performance. The Board hires and reviews performance of the Chief Operating Officer.
3. Fundraising to assure the sustainability of CCFB and it's programs and that there is adequate resources for CCFB to fulfill it's mission. Each board member makes a personal contribution, attends fundraising events and enlists support of others.
4. Completed revision of strategic plan earlier this year.
Board Expectations include:
Orientation upon appointment to Board
Board Meeting Attendance-90%
Knowledge - Board members are expected to actively pursue and constantly update their knowledge about the Chester County Food Bank, it's mission, history, purpose, goals, strategic plan, financial standing, policies, programs/services, and strengths/needs
Committee Assignments - must serve on a board committee
Participation in Giving - each board member is expected to make a financial contribution annually
Advocacy - board members are expected to be ambassadors of the Chester County Food Bank in actively supporting and promoting it's vision, mission and values
Volunteering - board members are expected to attend at least two special events or volunteer experiences offered through the Chester County Food Bank
Sharing Expertise-be willing to share special talents with the staff and board
Accountability - adhere to signed conflict of interest policy and maintaining confidentiality at all times
Development - actively engage in prospecting, soliciting and stewarding donations from individuals and organizations in addition to donor appreciation efforts
Chester County Food Bank Board meets in person at our corporate building in Exton, the fourth Tuesday of every month September through June from 4:30-6:30pm. If needed, there are virtual options available, although in-person attendance is preferred.The Board does not meet in July and August. Board Committees continue to meet during the summer. Committees meet in person or virtually.
Board Committees: Executive, Governance & Nominating, Finance/Investment, Advocacy, Development and Marking (all committees are comprised of board members and community members with the exception of the Executive and Governance & Nominating committees)
Volunteer Opportunities: Giving is your opportunity to be a part of making a difference in our community. From individuals to corporations, each person and every volunteer hour makes an impact on our mission. Whether you want to dig in at one of our partnering farms or gardens, be hands-on in our commercial kitchen or warehouse, or assist the office team. Volunteer opportunities are available year-round; however, our need does vary based on season, weather, inventory, and program schedules.
Opportunities for projects or task forces are available as the need arises.
The YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body.
Preschool Childcare, Summer Camp, Group Exercise, Fitness Center, Indoor Pool, Therapy Pool, Aqua Fitness, Yoga and Pilates, Active Older Adults/Forever Well activities, Pickleball, Outdoor Pool, Indoor/Outdoor Basketball Courts, Youth Sports, Outdoor sporting fields, Outdoor walking trail, Outdoor fitness training, Personal training, Small Group Training
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA (Cancer Survivorship program), Brandy's Pantry (food pantry in partnership with the Chester County Food Bank), Safety Around Water at Coatesville High School (swim lessons) – free to the community
Financial Assistance – all memberships and programs are on a sliding fee scale, or "income-sensitive pricing," to ensure equitable access to the Y for all.
In 2023, the Coatesville YMCA awarded over $250,000 in financial assistance and we provide equitable access to the Y for all.
We are in a rebuilding phase and are looking for board members who are passionate about community service work in the Coatesville area.
Board meetings – September through June (off July/August). 4th Wednesday of each month; 7:30-8:30 AM. 70% attendance required. NOTE: Meetings are kept to one hour.
Financial commitment: a donation that is personally meaningful to you. It isn't the amount that is significant; it is your belief in the mission and 100% Board giving rather than donation amount. Please note, there is a focus on fundraising, and we do expect everyone to participate in the overall fundraising process.
Committees: each board member is also expected to serve on one committee in addition to the Advisory Board meeting commitment. Committees to choose from: Board Development; Membership, Program Development, and Philanthropy. These meet a minimum of 6 times per year, with 70% attendance required.
4th Wednesday of the month
September – June, off July/August
In person with Teams option available if traveling or unable to attend in person
Finance
Law
Medical
Other Non-profit
Community member
DEI
Skilled labor
Committed Y member
Volunteer opportunities in your community can be found here: https://ymcagbw.org/give/volunteer
Compass Mark's mission is to prevent addiction through education, skill-building, and community mobilization.
Compass Mark provides school and community-based prevention programs for children, youth, and adults in Chester, Lancaster, and Lebanon Counties. They include:
Addiction Resource Center: We provide resources to educate our community on alcohol, other drugs, and gambling disorders and provide personalized information/referral services to local treatment and recovery supports.
School-Based Prevention: Our team delivers an array of evidence-based prevention programs for students in Grades K-12, helping them to develop important skills in the areas of self-awareness, healthy coping strategies, interpersonal relationships and decision-making.
Training and Professional Development: Compass Mark provides high quality, up-to-date workshops for educators and community members on a variety of public health and youth development topics. We specialize in training school personnel to respond to child and adolescent behavioral health issues through the Student Assistance Program.
Compass Mark recently opened a new program office in Chester County and the Board of Directors is actively seeking community leaders to give direction to the organization's expanding scope of services in Chester County. Last year, the Board of Directors completed a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide the organization's priorities for the next three years.
Board members must be 18 years of age or older and live/work in Chester, Lancaster, or Lebanon Counties. Members are expected to regularly attend board meetings, serve on at least one Committee, and make an annual financial contribution based upon their ability to give.
The Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of every other month from 7:30am to 9:00am. Meetings are held in Lancaster with a hybrid (Zoom) option for those in neighboring counties.
We are looking for board members who live/work in Chester County and have a personal interest in our mission of substance use prevention and education. Other specific areas of expertise that we are looking for include marketing/fundraising, legal, and financial services. We are seeking candidates that represent the diversity of the Chester County community.
Other committees that are available for Board Member involvement include Human Resources, Marketing & Advancement, Finance, and Board Development.
The mission of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County is to reduce, remedy, and prevent domestic violence in Chester County.
Our commitment to survivors of domestic violence is to be a constant source of strong support and to provide programs and services to help facilitate healing, a lifelong process by providing:
24- hour hotline (1-888-711-6270) answered by a trained advocate who will provide rapid crisis intervention
Trauma informed care which offers survivors a chance to rebuild the connections and trust that were fractured by abuse and betrayal
Trauma-Informed Adult Counseling: Services are provided via 24-hour hotline, individual and group counseling with a focus on safety planning, addressing multiple traumas, importance of healthy relationships, goal setting, financial management, referrals and job training. DVCCC offers adult individual and group counseling programs utilizing the evidence-based “Healing Trauma Curriculum”. The program focuses on understanding the impacts of trauma, exploring the dynamics of power and abuse, building self-care skills, and cultivating healthy relationships.
• Housing: DVCCC has four housing programs: Emergency Safe House/Shelter; Bridge Transitional Housing; Garfield Commons Apartments Independent Housing and Phase IV Independent Housing. The facilities can house a maximum of 93 individuals at any given time.
• Legal Services: Services include legal options counseling, advice and free representation in Protection from Abuse cases, custody, support, bankruptcy, immigration, and other civil matters.
• Children’s Services: Individual and group counseling is provided as requested to the dependent children of domestic violence victims as well as homework help, recreational activities and liaison services to schools where the children are enrolled.
• Public Education and Training: Designed to promote social responsibility by developing a coordinated community response to domestic violence. Presentations and training are given to groups such as schools, businesses, law enforcement, hospitals, social service agencies and community organizations.
• Lethality Assessment Program (LAP): The purpose of this program is to identify victims of domestic violence who are at the greatest risk of being killed, getting them out of harm’s way and encouraging them to contact DVCCC while the police are on scene. This is a formal relationship between DVCCC and participating police departments.
In October 2023, DVCCC began implementation of our first Medical Advocacy Program (MAP), which addresses the need for enhanced support at the intersection of domestic violence and healthcare in Chester County. Recognizing the impact of domestic violence on victims’ health, MAP trains medical providers to identify, assess, and refer survivors to DVCCC services, ensuring they receive timely support
• Collaborations: DVCCC has long understood the importance of forming alliances and collaborates with other service providers to provide the best outcomes for participants. Referrals to these organizations are made and received.
DVCCC's Board of Directors in partnership with staff ensured:
DVCCC has been accredited with the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organization (PANO) Seal of Excellence since 2009 for its successful compliance with the Standards for Excellence program. DVCCC received its reaccreditation in December 2023 through 2028.
Actively updating the Strategic Plan (three-year plan 2024-2027)
Successfully raised more than $100,000 during our May 2024 Annual Fundraising Event
Established objectives for each Standing Committee
Conducted Board Training on Fundraising
• Understand and support the efforts of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
and the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
• Attend the regularly scheduled board meetings of the organization
• Participate in the activities of at least one of the standing committees of the organization
• Act as an informed spokesperson of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County’
• Participate in the public affairs and fundraising efforts of the organization
• Contribute personal financial support to the Domestic Violence Center each year
• Participate in the initial orientation and any ongoing training provided for Board members
Board meetings and committee meetings are held virtually - 4th Monday of the Month, (7 meetings annually) Committees meet as needed.
DVCCC strives for a system of leadership quality with its Board of Directors through a deliberate thoughtful
investment in the recruitment and development of its Board members, officers, and committee assignments to ensure continuity in transitions and succession planning. This requires a team comprised of a rich mix of diversity, experience, talent, and individuals with relationships with the DVCCC community we serve. The board generally regards community connections, finance (CPA) expertise, state government, fundraising, and academic experience as important attributes among others.
Board members are encouraged to be engaged with DVCCC's Annual Gala fundraising event, HS student art contest, Adopt a Family, and December annual holiday celebration for families served by DVCCC
The mission of Downingtown Strong is to aid those in the Downingtown area who have been impacted by a natural disaster or emergency hardship.
Downingtown Strong provides coordination and recovery services to individuals, families, and others adversely impacted by a natural disaster or emergency in the Downingtown area. These services include:
Preparedness
Communications
Volunteer coordination
Debris Management
Distribution of basic needs (food, clothing and shelter)
Home Clean-up
Home Repairs
Case Coordination
Emotional/Spiritual Support
All Downingtown Strong services are provided free of charge.
Downingtown Strong is currently focused on expanding our partnerships and volunteer pool to effectively fulfill the mission when the next natural disaster strikes. Our organization includes:
• Our Ongoing Committees – Communication, Fundraising, and Operations teams
• Our Emergency Response Teams – Block Captains, Clean-up Crews, Evacuation Center Staff, and Home Repair Crews
Downingtown Strong is working on developing a fundraising strategy and improving our social media presence,.
The board has regularly scheduled meetings on a quarterly basis. Additional meetings may be called for as time-sensitive matters arise.
No financial commitments are placed on board members.
The quarterly scheduled meetings are in January, April, June, and December, on the first Thursday of the month.
The meetings are held in-person at the Downingtown Borough Building at 1:00pm. Accommodations are made for remote attendance when needed.
Downingtown Strong is looking for an experienced fundraiser to join our team to help us expand our reach and resources. Our Fundraising Coordinator will work with our other volunteers to identify and secure financial contributions; plan a long-term sustainable funding strategy, and execute the plan for the organization. The coordinator would also plan and execute fundraising events, including annual fundraisers, community outreach, and donor appreciation events.
Downingtown Strong is also looking for a Communications Coordinator to interact and engage with the Downingtown community - donors, partners, volunteers, and the general public – in order to meet our goals. The coordinator will work with our other volunteers to develop and implement public information and awareness campaigns and maintain a social media presence in order to disseminate event alerts, and status reports before, during, and after an event.
Our organization includes:
• Ongoing Committees – Communication, Fundraising, and Operations teams
• Emergency Response Teams – Block Captains, Clean-up Crews, Evacuation Center Staff, and Home Repair Crews
We exist to enrich the total student experience in the Great Valley School District as a community partner by funding special projects and programs.
GVSD Education Foundation partners with the community to bring support and funding to our Great Valley schools by sponsoring programming that aligns with the district's goals and objectives. Our fundraising supports our Venture Grant program, our Good Neighbor program, our Students Artist Recognition event, assists with Duel Enrollment with higher education facilities, and facilitates EITC funding for the Great Valley School district.
Our current major fundraising goal is to raise enough funds to support an after-school activity bus for our 4 elementary schools. An after-school activity bus would provide equal opportunity and access for all students regardless of means of transportation to after-school activities.
The Great Valley School District Education Foundation board of directors is a dedicated group of individuals committed to advancing educational opportunities for students. These dedicated volunteers bring diverse expertise and passion for education, as they guide the foundation's strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and program development. Their collective efforts empower students, foster innovation, and ensure a bright future for every learner in the district
Monthly in person/virtual meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6:30 - 8 pm
We are currently seeking Board members with marketing, communications and fundraising experience. We could also use Board members with finance/budget experience.
We are actively seeking board members but we are also happy to have volunteers who are interested in slowly transitioning to a Board position, depending on availability.
To improve the quality of life for low-to-moderate income people of Chester County, by providing the tools to secure and maintain decent affordable housing.
The Housing Partnership offers a diverse catalog of programs and services each related to housing and home ownership issues. With the overarching goal of supporting qualified persons to become first time homebuyers, as well as keeping homeowners in their homes, we offer programs including financial literacy, credit counseling, home adaptation, and home repair. We take a unique, holistic approach to solving problems by integrating programs, often with a multi-stepped curriculum that educates and empowers clients.
We are in a transformative period doe to an ED transition as well as board rebuild and refresh. The strategic plan, approved just prior to COVID, has been updated.
We are collaborating with several municipalities initiating and establishing property conservatorship in order to rehabilitate dilapidated properties, as determined by the municipality, to create opportunities for qualified first time homebuyers and maintain stable neighborhoods.
Traditionally, the financial literacy program, "Know Your Money" was focused on High School students. With the addition of a bi-lingual HUD certified housing counselor, we are partnering with area businesses by offering this life often changing program to their employees.
Board members are expected to attend all regular (6 per year) meetings in person. We meet in Exton at the United Way Innovation Center the 4th Thursday.
Special meetings, if and as needed, are typically virtual, and members are expected to attend.
Members are expected to serve on one committee. Officers may serve on two, or more. Committees are Finance, Governance, Programs, as well as a Marketing Task Force and Event Task Force. Committees review and may change meeting times to adjust to the membership. Most meet virtually.
Members are expected to make a personal contribution, which he/she/they consider generous and which demonstrates their position as a board leader.
Board members are expected to attend all regular (6 per year) meetings in person. We meet in Exton at the United Way Innovation Center the 4th Thursday.
Special meetings, if and as needed, are typically virtual, and members are expected to attend.
Just like every other nonprofit ... we continuously seek to diversity the board from an age, culture, ethnic and racial perspective. We are very intentional about the skills we seek, and would benefit from more members with marketing, social media, nonprofit management, individual giving, as well as finance/accounting.
We have begun to welcome non-board members to committees and task forces, but have not yet developed other operational volunteer opportunities.
The YMCA's mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Strenghening community through youth development,healthy living, and social responsibility is our cause.
We work with our neighbors to makes sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Our Board members serve alongside committee members on work that is centered around delivering the Y's mission. Board workshops are offered, as well as many volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year for those interested in making a difference in our community. Prospective Board members are recruited from Y members and the community. They complete a Board Orientation, which includes a review of the Strategic Plan, Board guidelines and expectations.
Our Board is inclusive and welcomes all. We look for Board members who are committed to seeing the Y thrive, and deliver our mission to all. Board members are expected to attend at least 70% of our meetings and to serve on a committee. Each year, we ask for each Board member to make a financial donation that is meaningful to them.
We meet each month for an hour, except for December. These meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30am.
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There are various committees and events that a potential board member can get involved with that would allow them to become more familiar with the work the Y does.
Strengthening Our Community In Southern Chester County Through Food, Housing, Crisis Services, And Education.
KACS is the premier agency in southern Chester County that provides essential life-sustaining services of food, housing, and a path forward. We work with Chester County and the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, to address homelessness and housing issues that create crisis in households. We provide emergency assistance, crisis services and food. The Kennett Food Cupboard has been serving this community for 70 years. KACS also facilitates programs based on the Bridges Out of Poverty model with trainings, Getting Ahead workshops and Staying Ahead sessions to help provide the tools necessary to end poverty. We turn no one away that needs food.
The KACS Board has been very busy with the donation of land for a new building, planning the new building, launching a capital campaign, and supporting the new Affordable Housing initiative. The Board also recently updated the strategic plan and evaluated infrastructure to help ensure that there is always a transition plan.
Current requirements are people who live or work in the Kennett Square area, attendance at each monthly board meeting (held on zoom) and the expectation that we have 100% giving from the Board at any level.
The meetings are structured, have an agenda and are held the last Wednesday of each month via Zoom.
The KACS Board wants to reflect all sectors of southern Chester County relative to the three school districts we serve, as well as the cultural diversity we see in our participants. We are looking for Board members with the following skills sets: legal, accounting, fundraising, program evaluation and social work.
There are many volunteer opportunities at KACS. We have close to 200 active volunteers. Most of the volunteers work in the Food Cupboard; others help with child care during our educational workshops. Serving on a committee is another great way to serve KACS. Our committees include: Finance, New Building, Affordable Housing, Events, Capital Campaign, and Food.
The YMCA's mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility is our cause.
Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Our Board is a diverse group that is open to sharing, exploring and collaborating on new ideas. Board members serve alongside committee members on work that is centered around delivering the Y's mission. Board workshops are offered, and many volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year for those interested in making a difference in our community. Prospective Board members are recruited from Y members and the community. They complete a Board Orientation, which includes a review of the Strategic Plan, Board guidelines and expectations.
Our Board is inclusive and welcomes all. We look for Board members who are committed to seeing the Y thrive, and deliver our mission to all. Board members are expected to attend at least 70% of our meetings and to serve on a committee. Each year, we ask for each Board member to make a financial donation that is meaningful to them.
We meet each month for one hour, with the exception of July and August. These meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday at 7:30 AM.
We have various committees and events that a potential Board member can get involved with that would allow them to become more familiar with the work the Y does.
Our mission is to change lives by serving southern Chester County as the leading provider of integrated health and community services. Our target population is low-income residents of southern Chester County, especially those who are uninsured (about 50% of our patient population) or underinsured (most of the remaining patients, covered by Medicaid, Medicare or CHIP). Approximately 90% of our patients are Latinos. Our services are provided by a mostly bilingual, bi-cultural team to serve both our traditional population of low-income, immigrant farmworkers and a growing population of underinsured non-Latino patients.
We offer accessible, equitable, and expert care, so that all of our patients can thrive and be happy. We emphasize preventive care, and educate our patients on how life experiences and influences at work and at home can affect overall health. LCH offers primary and acute services such as: Physical exams and wellness visits, Immunizations, Diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness, Minor injuries, aches and pains, Behavioral health counseling, Care coordination, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, and women's health services. In addition, LCH pediatricians provide primary, preventive, and acute medical care for children of all ages: newborns, children, and adolescents, fully incorporated with mental health care. Lastly, our team of application counselors, resource specialists, case managers, and lawyers work with patients to support families in need of health insurance, information and referrals, public benefits, and legal consultation.
The board has been involved in the strategic planning process in previous years, and it is expected to participate in the upcoming strategic planning process for the next 4 years. Additionally, the board revises and approves standing or newly created policies, relevant documents, fiscal year budget, etc.
General Expectations: Know the organization’s mission, purpose, goal, policies, programs, services, strengths and needs. Serve in leadership positions and undertake special assignments willingly and enthusiastically. Meetings: Prepare for and conscientiously participate in board and committee meetings, including appropriate organizational activities when possible. Fiduciary Responsibility: Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements and otherwise help the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibility. Fundraising: Remember, giving one’s time and expertise, as important as they are, are not substitutes for providing financial support according to one’s capacity. Participation in the annual appeal is expected to be 100% at an amount appropriate to the board members resources. Assist the development committee and staff by helping to identify potential givers and implement fundraising strategies through personal influence where you have it (corporations, individuals, foundations). Ambassadorial Service: Serve LCH responsibly and diligently by telling the organization’s story and presenting its accomplishments as well as its needs and current challenges. You are LCH’s logo. Represent your community to LCH; bring back concerns, ideas, suggestions, compliments etc. when you believe they have merit.
Board meeting occurs the last Thursday of every month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
LCH is seeking board members with Facilities, IT, Farm worker or Migrant, School Principal/Supervisor/Nurse areas of expertise.
To advocate for and empower prenatal and parenting families to achieve healthy beginnings and a bright future through a caring culture of service.
Founded in 1991, MCHC ensures low-income, at-risk women and their children receive the services they need to improve their health, stay healthy and succeed in school.
Healthy Start funded in 1995 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was linked in 1997 with nationwide Healthy Start programs to learn “best practices” in prenatal home visiting.
Family Benefits followed and was designed to provide uninsured families with bilingual, culturally competent assistance with accessing state subsidized health insurance programs and was augmented in 2010 to include food benefits enrollment.
Family Center program opened in Kennett Square in 2006 to address a gap in services for children from low-income Latino families between two and five years old. Expanded services since then include
MCHC’s Child Welfare initiatives, Language Access, Plan of Safe Care, The Perinatal Periods of Risk project, and healthcare education with a focus on Diabetes prevention for our home visiting programs.
The overarching goals of MCHC’s program are to improve birth outcomes by providing prenatal and postnatal home-visiting as well as pre and postnatal socio-emotional strengthening support, parenting education, and health education; reduce health disparities by providing insurance and benefit enrollment assistance and food stability for children and their families; ensure children are prepared for kindergarten and have the tools to succeed in school and beyond, and that families of children entering kindergarten are engaged in their child’s education and in their communities.
MCHC is distinctive for its cultural competency, bilingual capacity and successful ability to provide access to care and benefits. MCHC's greatest success has been in the work on improving the rate of low birth weight (LBW) babies in Chester County with a solid track record for meeting or exceeding its goal of 95 percent of babies born at a healthy birth weight and has been documented in peer reviewed scientific journals. MCHC's commitment to bilingual competence and expertise on differing cultural values, especially for the Latino and African American populations that we serve is hallmark to the organization's success.
1. Develop leadership abilities and potential
*Create a strong leadership team that builds institutional knowledge and redundancy across the organization and increase resilience and impact
*Investment in group mental health support and Human Resources training/support
*Continue to cultivate a culture of learning with Management Training Needs Assessment
2. Streamline core business processes
*Automate manual grant processes
* Finish, approve and implement MCHC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plan. Utilize DEI Facilitator to ensure DEI is part of Core Values, Branding, Board (Outreach Committee).
* Educating staff and external stakeholders on MCHC’s work and how it ties to the overall mission (incl. Branded service vehicles for line staff)
3. Diversify Funding Streams
*Impact on MCHC’s Financial Sustainability
* Increase percentage of funding and develop onboarding and ongoing training on fundraising activities for Board Members
MCHC board members are required to attend and actively participate in at least 85% of board meetings and in an annual retreat, participate on one committee, and attend at least two events per year. MCHC expects that 100% of board members will contribute to the organization according to their ability to give. New members must participate in a half-day orientation and go on a home visit. Staff and board identify and refer prospective board members, and the Governance Committee assesses.
Board Structure (Governing Board, Officers, Committees, etc.) Executive Board, Nominating Board, Fun Development Committee, Outreach/DEI Committee and Finance Committee.
Board Culture (e.g., consensus decision making, committees informing board decisions, informal, structured) Committee work informs board decisions, which are made by consensus. Nonmembers are permitted on committees other than the Executive Committee. Staff provide program education sessions at half of the board meetings per year.
The board reviews its composition annually to identify needs - mainly a demographic and subject-matter expertise assessment. Candidates complete a board application, reviewed by the Governance committee. Priority candidates meet with an existing board member, tour sites, and meet with executive and other staff and board leaders. Vetted candidates are nominated at a board meeting for vote election (or not) to the board.
Strategic development of the board of directors includes recruiting members throughout the year to add or augment human resources, marketing (social media), early childhood development and learning, medical (pediatric, obstetric, nursing), information technology, finance, legal expertise skill set representation on the MCHC Board. The executive director attends regular events or meetings (CCCB&I, GWCC, Exton Chamber, Rotaries, SCCC) to develop potential board membership. Board Members continuously develop potential relationships with members who are interested in serving on the Board.
All Committee Meetings are one hour bi monthly virtual meeting.
Board meetings are bimonthly on the last Thursday of the month. Board meetings are from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at our main office. MCHC provides Board Development and a Board retreat once a year.
To effectively expand our board and enhance our organization's impact, we are seeking members with a diverse array of skills and attributes. Specifically, we need individuals with expertise in law, finance, branding, marketing, and strategic planning. Attorneys who can navigate legal complexities, CPAs or finance professionals who can manage and optimize our financial resources, and branding and marketing experts who can elevate our organization's profile are all crucial. Additionally, we need strategic thinkers who can help shape our long-term vision and ensure sustainable growth.
Beyond professional expertise, we highly value board members who possess strong community connections, which can open doors to new opportunities and partnerships. Equally important are individuals who are passionate about our mission and are eager to make a positive impact on the organization and the families it serves. These members will bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a deep commitment to advancing our goals and supporting our community.
Participation in Development, Special events and Finance Committees. Represent MCHC at community events, accompany staff on appointments, evaluate and implement the strategic plan; volunteers can also support the Annual fundraising Luncheon, Open Houses and other networking, site visits, stakeholders meetings.
Mom's House provides a unique family support system offering free state licensed childcare to low-income, single parents while they are completing their full-time education and becoming independent members of society.
Free state licensed childcare
Wrap around support
Scholarship opportunities
Children receive free breakfast and lunch in a small caring environment and all diapers and supplies needed.
Birthday and holiday gifts
Emergency financial assistance
Updated strategic Plan
Assisted with recent facility move and program expansion.
Approve yearly budget
10 meetings per year
Make a personally signifcant donation each year
Participate in fundraisers and community events
Fourth Tuesday of each month except August and December Mix of in-person and zoom
Fundraising
Governance
Legal
Phoenixville Area Children's Learning Center strives to provide a quality childcare program in an environment of love and learning to the children of the Greater Phoenixville Area.
We strive to assure each working parent that his/her child has the best of care during their working hours. Our primary goal is to meet the needs of each child with variety of learning experiences, which will provide for his/her development and sense of self-confidence. PACLC offers a developmentally appropriate, educational curriculum for infants through Pre-Kindergarteners. Our programs integrate hands-on activities, imaginative play and real-life experiences which foster learning at each age level. We believe that play is work for young children, allowing them to develop a meaningful understanding of the world around them.
Our centers are licensed by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) as well as the Chester County Department of Health. They participate in the Keystone STARS program- Pennsylvania's four-level QRIS (quality rating and improvement system) and each hold a STAR 3 rating.
Over the last year, the board has focused on the organization's ability to build capacity- onboarding new staff and building enrollment at the centers as well as conducting a feasibility study to potentially renovate and add classroom space at our Main Street location. We have active committees and a strategic plan that keep projects moving forward and the board functioning in a governing role.
Board members are expected to attend each of the regular board meetings each year- held bi-monthly. They are expected to participate in one committee. They are encouraged to support the fundraising efforts and act as an ambassador for the organization.
Board meetings are held in person on the 4th Tuesday of odd months at 6:30pm. Committees are expected to meet in the off months as necessary.
Currently we are looking for board members who bring an expertise in human resources, accounting, and fundraising/event planning. We seek to have a diversified board in terms of race, gender, skills and abilities. However, the most important requirement for board members is an expressed enthusiasm and dedication to the mission of Phoenixville Area Children's Learning Centers.
We have various committees and events that a potential Board member can get involved with that would allow them to become more familiar with the work we do. We offer volunteer opportunities throughout the year, assisting in classrooms or with other administrative responsibilities.
CVC fosters healing, hope, and empowerment through free, confidential, and compassionate support for victims of sexual violence and other crimes. We guide individuals through trauma, recovery and legal processes. We work to prevent violence by promoting community inclusivity, raising awareness and imparting essential skills through outreach and education throughout Chester County.
CVC provides comprehensive victim services that are free, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate. They are provided to children, youth, and adults, and include hotline support and crisis counseling, professional individual and group counseling, in-person accompaniment to medical and legal appointments and proceedings, ongoing legal advocacy and support, community resource referral, school-based prevention, education and awareness programming, and adult prevention and awareness training. Annually, we reach over 20,000 individuals and our numbers have been climbing – in FY2023, we reached 25,783 individuals, including adults, youth, and children, compared to 23,000 the prior year.
Our board is committed to the success of CVC and our staff. Recently, we held our first BOD Retreat where we reviewed our current strategic plan, brainstormed for fundraising ideas, discussed board development and planned for FY25. We held our first Show the Love donor and staff appreciation event in February 2024 that board members helped organize and attend. Our committees are very active and more detail is below.
CVC BOD Members are required to:
- Attend bi-monthly business meetings
- Participate in at least one committee and attend meetings as scheduled
- donate financially to CVC annually in an amount meaningful to that board member
- attend CVC events throughout the year
The third Tuesday of every other month at 6:00 and hybrid for those that can not attend in person.
CVC is currently looking for individuals to serve on our Board with experience in education, human resources, IT, healthcare and live experience.
CVC also uses volunteers for outreach events.
The Fund for Women and Girls leads and unites the community through philanthropy and advocacy to ensure that women and girls have resources and opportunities to thrive.
The Fund fulfills it's mission through a two-pronged approach; grantmaking and advocacy. Annually, The Fund allocates approximately $250,000 in grants, through three grant programs, to nonprofit organizations in Chester County that serve women and girls*. In the past 27 years, The Fund has allocated over $4.2 million to 93 organizations.
The Fund advocates for the rights and needs of women and girls* through advocacy initiatives and our Blueprint Report (https://www.thefundcc.org/research/). The Blueprint report is printed every five years and aggregates critical research at the federal, state, and local level highlighting the lived experiences of women and girls throughout the county. This information guides funding, programming and resource allocation.
The Fund has two youth programs (https://www.thefundcc.org/youth-programming/) for 10th - 12th grade students who are female or have lived female experiences, one in grantmaking and one in advocacy.
*When we refer to women and girls, we are referring to women, girls, and individuals with lived female experience including cis women and girls, trans women and girls, and nonbinary/gender non-conforming adults, youth, and children.
The Fund's strategic plan was redone this past fiscal year and is in year one of a five year plan. The Board has also undergone analysis of a matrix of the demographic makeup of Board and Committee members to ensure meaningful representation of identities. The Board also recently completed a DEIB training and are actively working on addressing subsequent goals. This work is ongoing and of high priority.
Board members bring their expertise to contribute to strategic planning, and work in partnership with staff to ensure that The Fund is fulfilling its mission. The board is responsible for evaluating the Executive Director and providing appropriate support. The board also provides financial monitoring and oversight. Importantly, board members serve as ambassadors for The Fund within the Chester County community.
Regular attendance is expected at board meetings and at any scheduled retreat. If a board member is unable to attend a meeting, they shall notify the Chair of the Board in advance.
To ensure that each board member has the opportunity to share their expertise fully, board members are expected to serve on at least one board committee. To promote a deeper understanding of our work and the community, each board member is asked to attend Fund events and other volunteer opportunities as they arise. Additionally, oncoming board members are expected to participate in onboarding and mentoring sessions.
All board members are expected to give financially at a level that is personally meaningful.
Board members have meaningful connections to individuals, corporations, and other organizations, and are a conduit between The Fund and the community. Each board member will share leads with the staff of the Fund for potential donors and help raise funds for The Fund annually. This can occur in a variety of ways:
* Providing names for direct solicitation
* Securing corporate matches
* Securing sponsorships and grants
* Selling tickets to and bringing guests to Fund events
Members of the board are entrusted with nominating new members or advisors who would bring value to the Board.
Board meeting occur the 4th Tuesday of every other month ( January, March, May, July, September, November) at 4:30 at The Fund's office. Committee meetings vary (quarterly or every other month, weekdays) and are virtual.
Diversity in lived experiences - we are currently under-represented in the following areas:
*Latina/Hispanic
*LGBTQIA+
*Socioeconomically disadvantaged
*Individuals under the age of 35
*Individuals from Northern Chester County (Phoenixville, Elverson, Warwick, etc.)
*Individuals with a background in accounting, law, social work, education (primary, secondary), direct service nonprofit work
*Individuals who are recent or 1st generation immigrants
For individuals not yet ready to committee to Board membership, Committee membership is a potential option as community members are encouraged to serve on our committees (Board membership is not required to serve on a committee). Anyone interested in either committee membership or other volunteer opportunities is encouraged to fill out the below form.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=JDZLJaxpPUee1rRRJSiNaFXIau3sxA9Km8TG_dDFfxVURjJXTDZNT1MxQVYwQUE2TENJRkRWTEtFWi4u
Enriching the lives of our senior neighbors through friendship, activities, education, and nourishment.
Our nonprofit Senior Center is a non-medical and non-residential 14,500 sq. ft. facility that serves 2,000+ seniors annually providing a robust meal program, permanent food distribution center, exercise and wellness programs, community resource referrals, and a wide variety of educational, recreational, and social programming. WCASC also operates 2 community bookstores and has a myriad of volunteer opportunities at all levels.
WCASC provides services to help seniors remain healthy, active, engaged in their community, and as independent as possible. WCASC provides core programs such as the Corner Cabinet Food Distribution Program, Daily Congregate Breakfast & Lunch Meal Program, Health & Wellness Programs, and daily socialization and fun! Core programs include:
• "CORNER CABINET FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM" offers seniors free weekly "choice shopping," providing fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, breads/grains, non-perishables and well-balanced frozen meals. Recently, visits have increased to about 425/month, with each senior leaving with about 50 lbs. of food. In 2023, WCASC distributed 133,000 free meals over to almost 4,000 visitors. For 2024, at least an additional 3-5% increase in monthly visits is projected with each senior leaving with about 50 lbs. of food.
• DAILY CONGREGATE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH are served 5 days/week in WCASC's friendly setting. These meals are vital to seniors' health, and for most, their primary source of daily nutrition. Continental breakfast is free daily. Lunch is a well-balanced meal, approved by a licensed dietitian, and provided for a voluntary $2 donation. Most seniors who have meals at WCASC eat for free year-round. In 2023, we served 14,000 breakfast and lunch meals onsite (in addition to the significant food distribution described above).
• HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS improve fitness and balance; increase good nutritional practices; and support well-being. Daily group fitness classes of multiple levels serve seniors of all abilities and the skilled instructor is certified to address seniors' needs. In 2023, 670 group fitness classes provided almost 6,000 opportunities for better health.
• WCASC has a multitude of additional program offerings, including Community Connections (referrals and special assistance with Medicare, PA MEDI, free tax filings, and more); Enrichment Programs (Current Events, Book Club, Art and Language Classes, Crafts, and more); “Grand Friends” (intergenerational programming); and, Computer Technology (assisting senior with their phones and other electronic devices). We also offer weekly FUN in partnership with many community organizations, universities, and other professionals and students supporting our small staff.
With our 49-year-old Senior Center essentially serving "2 generations" under one roof, our many programs and services are collectively focused on helping seniors, ages 60-100+, access the community resources and referrals they need to maintain their independence for as long as possible -- but also to help them enjoy socialization in a center that offers them nutrition, health & wellness activities, exercise, and educational, recreational, and social programming. With our Center having been closed to "normal" business for 2 full years during the pandemic, we have just passed our 2-year mark of being fully re-opened and our Board and small staff have been working diligently together to not only re-build our entire operation but also to continually grow and expand our services and reach. Our Board has been instrumental in the building and opening of our permanent onsite food pantry which has now served approximately 500,000 meals since the onset of the pandemic! They are also deeply involved in helping to continually build our community relationships and opportunities and are sought after to help particularly in their areas of expertise (i.e. finance, legal, logistics and planning, facilities, real estate, health & wellness, fundraising, and much more).
Board members typically live in and/or work in Chester County, attend Board meetings and select committee meetings regularly, contribute to the WCASC Annual Campaign and major annual event, and participate in key Center activities (i.e. annual/special events, fundraisers, etc.).
WCASC Board meetings are the 3rd Thursday monthly (except NO July) at 7:30 AM at the Center. Meetings typically last one hour. Committees meet as determined necessary/reasonable and at a day/time agreed upon by each group.
Board members are asked to be active in Center business and events and to be philanthropic with our Annual Campaign and fundraising efforts. They should have local relationships and knowledge about our community, should attend monthly Board meetings (virtually when necessary), and should actively seek to serve on at least one committee throughout the year. Board members with community connections, skills and experience in fundraising and event planning, facilities, marketing and communications, strategic planning, website development/maintenance, special events and logistics, planned giving, and community collaborations are sought.
Volunteers are always sought for year-round and "one time" needs/activities by our Center and our 2 local bookstores we operate. Roles vary greatly in skills and time commitments and just some of them include meal/kitchen service, onsite food distribution program help, bookstore sorting/shelving/selling/cashiers, program/special event planning and delivery, fundraising, speakers, front desk and admin office assistance.
West Chester Communities That Care (WCCTC) is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on empowering parents and youth in West Chester to cultivate wellness, healthy relationships, and positive social connections. Our mission is to improve outcomes for youth through partnership and prevention, specifically in the areas of youth mental health, underage substance use, and violence. We envision a greater West Chester community where youth are supported by their parents, their peers, and their community to live substance-free, violence-free, and emotionally healthy lives.
WCCTC was created in 1998, utilizing the CommunitiesThat Care (CTC) model for community development. The CTC model focuses on the mobilization of community partnerships and collaborations to increase prevention efforts and decrease duplication of services. The West Chester CTC empowers local citizens and community leaders to work together to reduce youth health and behavior problems and create a safe, supportive environment for all members of the West Chester community. WCCTC believes that, without adequate protective factors, all youth are considered to be at risk. WCCTC, therefore, focuses on bringing prevention efforts to the entire community. In West Chester, as in many communities, the challenges facing today’s teenagers are multifaceted. Peer pressure, social media influence, and the complexities of modern life can often lead them towards negative influences like substance abuse. WCCTC was established to address these challenges, offering a supportive framework for youth development and parent engagement.
WCCTC promotes evidence-based programs and facilitates a coalition involving all sectors of our community, creating a collaborative approach to the prevention of youth health and behavior issues. We promote positive choices and seek to shape a community culture that encourages emotionally healthy lifestyles for youth in our local community. To accomplish our goals, we use a four-pronged approach.
1. The Community Coalition
Collaboration is key to our success. We regularly bring together local nonprofits, schools, parents, faith communities, mental health providers, and other community leaders to ensure that prevention efforts directed toward local West Chester youth and parents are high-quality, comprehensive, and targeted. This network of parents and professionals is an essential component to the CTC process and serves to keep all members abreast of the latest in prevention news and focused on evidence-based strategies for community improvement. Shared ideas and resources among these agencies results in less duplication of services, a more efficient use of financial and human resources and more effective prevention initiatives.
2. Thrive Youth Initiative
Our youth initiative invites teens who live or attend school in the greater West Chester area to use their voice to promote substance-free and emotionally healthy living among their peers.
This program empowers teens with knowledge about mental health and substance use and resilience building strategies. They learn how certain behaviors negatively impact the developing brain and they learn how resilience building behaviors can offset some unavoidable risk and even cause a person to thrive. Using this information, alongside marketing basics, student participants create public health campaigns to positively impact their peers. Each Thrive Project results in a student designed public service ad to be used in real-world applications, such as transit shelters and billboards across West Chester.
Most recently, a group of Henderson High School students created a “Prioritize the Pillow” public health campaign about the importance of sleep on teenager’s mental and physical health. They developed the slogan and collaborated with staff to create the graphic image and marketing plan to disseminate the ad to their target audience (peers). The students also created a QR code to link to a sleep survey to help inform students in a fun way about the number of hours of sleep needed and why. This campaign is now on a community digital billboard, in two high school Playbills for their spring theater productions, and on postcards in area businesses.
Thrive Projects emphasize primary prevention, providing tools for emotional well-being enhancement. By fostering positive coping mechanisms and encouraging conversation, Thrive aims to create a lasting impact, shaping a generation of emotionally resilient and mentally healthy individuals.
3. Education and Awareness
WCCTC aims to educate youth, their families and the community on the inherent risks associated with the misuse of addictive substances. Every two years, in partnership with West Chester Area School District, we conduct research among local 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade students to examine perceptions and behavior trends regarding mental health, substance use and violence. Using a nationwide survey, developed at the University of Washington, we coordinate with statewide organizations to understand and evaluate our data. With our coalition partners and board members, we review current research, examine risk and protective factors impacting our youth, and choose priority areas on which to focus our work.
We use the following strategies to help our community understand primary prevention, our community’s greatest risks and what can be done about them.
• A Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) data review and community assessment are conducted by our coalition partners to identify the risk and protective factors most impacting our community.
• A PAYS Summary Brochure (available in English and Spanish) outlining significant data points from the PAYS Report and offers parents concrete strategies for preventing substance use and mental health issues in later years. These brochures are shared with 5,000 parents each year through our education, healthcare, and faith partners.
• The public health campaign developed via the Community Coalition described above.
4. Parent Speaker Series
Through collaboration with WCASD Pupil Services, we promote a series of interactive parent symposiums ranging from strategies for forging healthy family relationships, coping with stress, and drug & alcohol prevention education. Our education and awareness presentations are tied directly to data points from the same biannual PAYS data noted above. Through these presentations, WCCTC seeks to build community around raising resilient youth. We host 4-5 presentations per year with the goal of increasing healthy dialogue between parents and youth on timely topics such as: technology use, youth mental health, and underage substance use. These webinars are provided at no cost to the district and are promoted via the WCASD distribution list.
The board has just initiated the process to develop a strategic plan which will lay out our future goals and initiatives, while still providing financial oversight of the organization.
We are looking for a committed board member to serve on our organization's governing body. The board member's responsibilities include advising on strategic plans, participating in evaluations, and monitoring its financial affairs. You should also prepare for board meetings, attend them regularly, and actively participate in them.
To be successful as a board member you should have significant professional leadership experience and strong diplomatic skills. An outstanding board member will be passionately committed to the organization's mission.
The board of West Chester Communities That Care (WCCTC) is a volunteer board. Members are not paid and dedicate their time and expertise to support West Chester Communities That Care (WCCTC) and its mission.
Expectations of Individual Board Members
The attendance policy is such that a board member must notify the President if he/she is going to miss a meeting. If two consecutive meetings are missed, the President will discuss attendance with the member. A member who misses five meetings within one calendar year without due cause will be considered to have resigned.
We expect each board member to:
Knowledge
o Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs.
o Engage in learning opportunities to better understand the community your organization serves.
o Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings.
o Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in monthly board meetings.
o Participate and attend coalition meetings.
Ambassadorship
o Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission and collective purpose.
o Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to achieve our mission.
Financial
o Understand the organization's financial affairs and ensure fiduciary responsibilities are met, including ensuring appropriate filings with federal, state, and local authorities consistent with the organization’s status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
o Approve audit reports, budgets, and business decisions.
o Give a meaningful personal financial donation. 100% participation is sought.
o Help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing.
Management
o Participate in the evaluation of business operations and executives.
o Contribute to the development of policies and strategic plans.
o Ensure the organization complies with legal requirements.
o Maintain confidentiality on all internal organizational affairs.
o Respect the experiences of all who bring their voices and lived experiences on to the board and into the boardroom and the organization.
o Honor our values.
The board currently meets in person on the third Thursday of each month from 1pm-2pm. In person is preferred with an option for virtual/hybrid as necessary.
We are looking for mission-aligned individuals with strong collaboration, communication, implementation, and strategic skills, a commitment to DEI, and expertise in one or more of the following areas:
1. Marketing/Communications/Graphic Design
2. Public Health
3. Youth Development
4. Education
Join our coalition which meets monthly and is a team of local nonprofits, schools, parents, faith communities, mental health providers, and other community leaders to ensure that prevention efforts directed toward local West Chester youth and parents are high-quality, comprehensive, and targeted. This network of parents and professionals is an essential component to the CTC process and serves to keep all members abreast of the latest in prevention news and focused on evidence-based strategies for community improvement. Shared ideas and resources among these agencies results in less duplication of services, a more efficient use of financial and human resources and more effective prevention initiatives.
For more information, please contact at director@wcctc.org.
To educate, empower and encourage girls ages 8-17 in Chester County to embrace their uniqueness and promote their self-confidence, self-worth and self-development as they make positive life choices as they grow into their womanhood.
Wonderfully Me Incorporated consists of a empowerment and mentoring program for girls ages 8-17 in Chester County. Monthly meetings are held in person during the months of September- June. The empowerment sessions encourage girls to EMBRACE who they are, LOVE who they are and SUCCEED where they are. This is accomplished through age appropriate activities, topics and discussions that may affect them as they face challenges in school and life. Our sessions provide a safe and non-judgmental space where they can share and learn from other's experiences. Additionally, we believe that teaching life skills will help them become resilient, confident and successful while making positive choices in school and on life.
The mentoring component is an extension of the empowerment program. It offers monthly individual support, guidance and encouragement to the enrolled program participants.
This board continues to carry out their fiduciary and governance responsibilities to the organization. They drafted and adopted roles descriptions and responsibilities for the officers.
Our goals will be to draft and publish the biennual annual report, review and revise bylaws, establish a new strategic plan, expand donor base and fundraising, increase online/community presence of organization, establish more partnerships and continue to grow organization. We will expand fundraising and marketing efforts to fund future projects, continue to apply for grants
Board membership is a 3 year commitment. Attendance is mandatory to the annual planning and training meeting.
Members are expected to make a monetary contribution that is meaningful for them but also through fundraising efforts to others. They must adhere to the confidentiality and conflict of interest disclosures. They must maintain ethical and integrity standards to ensure the mission and vision of organization are maintained. Members will serve on a committee.
Board members should have a desire to use their personal, professional and community connections and skills. They must be champions for the organization in the community.
Meetings are held virtually quarterly during the months of August, October, January and April from 7pm-9pm. The day of meetings are determined by vote at August meeting. Special meetings may be called if needed. Attendance is mandatory to the annual training meeting.
We are looking for skills in the following areas: Legal, Financial management, Grant writing, Event planning, Community Involvement, Program Development, Diversity of funding streams, English as second language
We are always looking for volunteer, mentor opportunities. Special projects