Our 2023-2024 Grantee Partners
The Fund has directed nearly $4.5 million to more than 95 nonprofit organizations in Chester County through its three grantmaking programs:
- Core Grants
- ‘Moving Her Forward’ Impact Grants
- Girls Advisory Board (GAB) Grants
Discover more about the transformative work of our Grantee Partners, and learn more about The Fund’s Grantmaking.
‘Moving Her Forward’ Impact Grant Recipients
The Alliance for Health Equity
Grant Title: Nonprofit Justice and Equity Institute Cohort 3
The Nonprofit Justice and Equity Institute (The Institute), founded in 2021, is a self-sustaining cohort-based series of seven workshops targeted at the nonprofit sector to self-assess and become socially responsible for unintentional inequitable practices, programs, and processes within their organization’s culture. The Institute inspires nonprofits to be socially responsible and provides them with the knowledge, tools, and capacity the organizations will need to address and eventually change organizational practices and policies that unintentionally created injustices and inequities. The primary goals of The Institute are:
Grant Title: Nonprofit Justice and Equity Institute Cohort 3
The Nonprofit Justice and Equity Institute (The Institute), founded in 2021, is a self-sustaining cohort-based series of seven workshops targeted at the nonprofit sector to self-assess and become socially responsible for unintentional inequitable practices, programs, and processes within their organization’s culture. The Institute inspires nonprofits to be socially responsible and provides them with the knowledge, tools, and capacity the organizations will need to address and eventually change organizational practices and policies that unintentionally created injustices and inequities. The primary goals of The Institute are:
- Understand the historical context of racial and social inequities and its impact on the community
- Participate in capacity building coaching to advance justice and equity learning and action
- Commit to centering justice and equity into a tailored organizational blueprint to sustain learning and accountability of the organization and community.
Black Women of Chester County in Action | #OurVoiceShouldBeHeard
Grant Title: Chester County voter registration and education
As a partner with The Fund’s year-long Empower Her Vote initiative, BWCCA will meaningfully engage registered and eligible voters and increase voter turnout in all elections. This funding may be used to update BWCCA’s website and #OurVoiceShouldBeHeard webpage as a central voter education website for Empower Her Vote, in addition to other initiatives.
Grant Title: Chester County voter registration and education
As a partner with The Fund’s year-long Empower Her Vote initiative, BWCCA will meaningfully engage registered and eligible voters and increase voter turnout in all elections. This funding may be used to update BWCCA’s website and #OurVoiceShouldBeHeard webpage as a central voter education website for Empower Her Vote, in addition to other initiatives.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Grant Title: LSAT Training for Pre-Law Club
To bring an LSAT prep course to Cheyney University’s campus, to be taught in-person (or mainly in-person) to students interested in pursuing Law School after graduation. The expressed interest in such a course was made by the members of the newly formed Pre-Law Society at Cheyney University who are 89% women.
Grant Title: LSAT Training for Pre-Law Club
To bring an LSAT prep course to Cheyney University’s campus, to be taught in-person (or mainly in-person) to students interested in pursuing Law School after graduation. The expressed interest in such a course was made by the members of the newly formed Pre-Law Society at Cheyney University who are 89% women.
New Voters
Grant Title: Chester County high school student voter registration and education
As a partner with The Fund’s year-long Empower Her Vote initiative, New Voters will meaningfully engage registered and eligible voters and increase voter turnout in all elections.
Grant Title: Chester County high school student voter registration and education
As a partner with The Fund’s year-long Empower Her Vote initiative, New Voters will meaningfully engage registered and eligible voters and increase voter turnout in all elections.
Chester County Community Collaborative | Single Mothers’ Conference
Grant Title: Single Mothers’ Conference
The Fund has supported, via speaking, funding and volunteering, the Chester County Single Mother’s conference for several years. This grant is requested to assist with the costs of holding the event which includes food/beverages, childcare, materials, and printed items related to education and support of attendees.
Grant Title: Single Mothers’ Conference
The Fund has supported, via speaking, funding and volunteering, the Chester County Single Mother’s conference for several years. This grant is requested to assist with the costs of holding the event which includes food/beverages, childcare, materials, and printed items related to education and support of attendees.
GAB Grant Recipients
Alianzas de Phoenixville
This grant supports Alianzas’ Clinical Trauma Counseling program (CTC). CTC is a multidisciplinary approach to mental health services for women, men, and children suffering from depression and anxiety typically due to the traumas of before, during and after forced migration such as violence, acculturation stress, immigration issues and discrimination.
This grant supports Alianzas’ Clinical Trauma Counseling program (CTC). CTC is a multidisciplinary approach to mental health services for women, men, and children suffering from depression and anxiety typically due to the traumas of before, during and after forced migration such as violence, acculturation stress, immigration issues and discrimination.
LCH
With this grant LCH will be able to provide free breast screening/mammograph services for 130 uninsured patients.
With this grant LCH will be able to provide free breast screening/mammograph services for 130 uninsured patients.
Maternal Child Health Consortium
This grant supports Healthy Start, a home-visiting program that provides a continuum of care for pregnant and parenting people with infants ages 0-18 months to reduce the prevalence of poor maternal health and birth outcomes.
This grant supports Healthy Start, a home-visiting program that provides a continuum of care for pregnant and parenting people with infants ages 0-18 months to reduce the prevalence of poor maternal health and birth outcomes.
Mom’s House
With this grant, Mom’s House will provide free state-licensed childcare to single, low-income parents who are returning to school to complete their education. In addition to free childcare, clients are provided with other donations and scholarship opportunities.
With this grant, Mom’s House will provide free state-licensed childcare to single, low-income parents who are returning to school to complete their education. In addition to free childcare, clients are provided with other donations and scholarship opportunities.
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania
With this grant, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania will host two LGBTQIA+ Youth Spaces in Chester County – Space to be Open and Proud Together (SPOT) – that provide out-of-school-time resources and support for teens through an array of affirming programming to help young people connect with their peers.
With this grant, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania will host two LGBTQIA+ Youth Spaces in Chester County – Space to be Open and Proud Together (SPOT) – that provide out-of-school-time resources and support for teens through an array of affirming programming to help young people connect with their peers.
Core Grant Recipients
4th Trimester MAHMEE
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: MAHMEE Mobile – van for appointments and mom care
This grant will be used to purchase a van with basic medical equipment for assessing new mom’s physical and mental health in her early postpartum days and supplies and resources she needs for her continued healing after delivery.
The van will serve as a health and wellness educational center capable of providing immediate medical attention before and after birth as well as transportation to and from appointments so desperately needed by many women. With Mom’s permission, 4th Trimester MAHMEE will act as a liaison between her and her doctor to enhance the continuum of care, an aspect that needs improvement in U.S. maternal care. They desire to work with doctors to ensure that women and families have a closed loop of care.
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: MAHMEE Mobile – van for appointments and mom care
This grant will be used to purchase a van with basic medical equipment for assessing new mom’s physical and mental health in her early postpartum days and supplies and resources she needs for her continued healing after delivery.
The van will serve as a health and wellness educational center capable of providing immediate medical attention before and after birth as well as transportation to and from appointments so desperately needed by many women. With Mom’s permission, 4th Trimester MAHMEE will act as a liaison between her and her doctor to enhance the continuum of care, an aspect that needs improvement in U.S. maternal care. They desire to work with doctors to ensure that women and families have a closed loop of care.
A Child’s Light
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
A Child’s Light provides expedited access to trauma-informed mental health treatment for children ages 2-18 recovering from severe abuse and trauma. Children receive private mental health support from a therapist in the organization’s network at no cost for an average of 9-12 months. Early intervention with young trauma clients positively impacts and re-directs the trajectory of their lives.
Children and families served do not have the financial resources to access private therapeutic or mental health treatments and many have a wait time of up to 2 years to receive subsidized support. The sooner a child can begin treatment after a crisis, the better the long-term outcome. 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.
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
A Child’s Light provides expedited access to trauma-informed mental health treatment for children ages 2-18 recovering from severe abuse and trauma. Children receive private mental health support from a therapist in the organization’s network at no cost for an average of 9-12 months. Early intervention with young trauma clients positively impacts and re-directs the trajectory of their lives.
Children and families served do not have the financial resources to access private therapeutic or mental health treatments and many have a wait time of up to 2 years to receive subsidized support. The sooner a child can begin treatment after a crisis, the better the long-term outcome. 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.
Alianzas de Phoenixville
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Alianzas strives for equity and the dignity of diverse communities regardless of their country of origin by providing services to the under-resourced and by promoting intercultural exchanges to connect all individuals in the broader community. This grant supports the organization’s general operating expenses so it can provide vital services in the community, many of which impact women and girls.
Examples of this programming include: Clinical Trauma Counseling which is a multidisciplinary approach to mental health for women and people who experience trauma associated with forced migration. English Learners Program and Leadership Academy provide skills building, mentorship, and leadership training to improve the socioeconomic health of the women served. Additionally, Alianzas’ Food & Essentials Program provides culturally appropriate food, essentials, and clothing to food insecure households. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of participants in this program are women.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Alianzas strives for equity and the dignity of diverse communities regardless of their country of origin by providing services to the under-resourced and by promoting intercultural exchanges to connect all individuals in the broader community. This grant supports the organization’s general operating expenses so it can provide vital services in the community, many of which impact women and girls.
Examples of this programming include: Clinical Trauma Counseling which is a multidisciplinary approach to mental health for women and people who experience trauma associated with forced migration. English Learners Program and Leadership Academy provide skills building, mentorship, and leadership training to improve the socioeconomic health of the women served. Additionally, Alianzas’ Food & Essentials Program provides culturally appropriate food, essentials, and clothing to food insecure households. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of participants in this program are women.
Bridge Academy & Community Center
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: THRIVE – Women: Transformative Hope, Resiliency, Independence, Value and Education
The Bridge provides access to resources for women to remove themselves from unhealthy situations & to rebuild their lives independently and provides funding for counseling. THRIVE provides a variety of programming that works with women and families. These programs include:
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: THRIVE – Women: Transformative Hope, Resiliency, Independence, Value and Education
The Bridge provides access to resources for women to remove themselves from unhealthy situations & to rebuild their lives independently and provides funding for counseling. THRIVE provides a variety of programming that works with women and families. These programs include:
- Ways of Women – Guides young women (5th grade and up) in life lessons, presentation, respect, hygiene, leadership, etiquette and health via small group sessions.
- Mom’s Club – provides a weekly, welcoming atmosphere for women to fellowship over a meal, learn new skills, and support each other’s paths. Free childcare ensures mothers with young children can attend.
- Support with Family Resources Coordinator/Family Relief: Weekly group or individual sessions aid women in crisis or who desire to receive support pursuing life goals.
The Crime Victims’ Center
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: Prevention and Education Program
The Crime Victim’s Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC) is the County’s only comprehensive service organization for victims of all crime. CVC’s programming today includes comprehensive prevention and education services to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault in the county. Their services are free, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate. They are provided to children, youth, and adults, and include hotline support, in-person accompaniment to medical and legal appointments and proceedings, ongoing legal advocacy and support, community resource referral, professional counseling, school-based prevention, education and awareness programming, and adult prevention and awareness training. Over 85% of the people served through their direct victim assistance services are female identifying; 27% of the female identifying victims served are children aged 17 and under.
With the support of The Fund, CVC will provide specialized education and training programs that work to prevent these crimes from happening. Much of their prevention and education programming takes place in schools across Chester County. Today, administrators and school personnel are especially concerned about the growing issue of problematic and criminal use of the Internet and social media, as well as growing political divisiveness that is making it harder to have conversations about sexual violence generally and is tamping down on their ability to highlight those youth who are most at risk.
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: Prevention and Education Program
The Crime Victim’s Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC) is the County’s only comprehensive service organization for victims of all crime. CVC’s programming today includes comprehensive prevention and education services to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault in the county. Their services are free, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate. They are provided to children, youth, and adults, and include hotline support, in-person accompaniment to medical and legal appointments and proceedings, ongoing legal advocacy and support, community resource referral, professional counseling, school-based prevention, education and awareness programming, and adult prevention and awareness training. Over 85% of the people served through their direct victim assistance services are female identifying; 27% of the female identifying victims served are children aged 17 and under.
With the support of The Fund, CVC will provide specialized education and training programs that work to prevent these crimes from happening. Much of their prevention and education programming takes place in schools across Chester County. Today, administrators and school personnel are especially concerned about the growing issue of problematic and criminal use of the Internet and social media, as well as growing political divisiveness that is making it harder to have conversations about sexual violence generally and is tamping down on their ability to highlight those youth who are most at risk.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) is the only organization in Chester County contracted by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) to provide services solely to victims of domestic violence and their dependent children. Domestic violence affects approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.
Core programs and services include Counseling, Housing, Relocation Legal, Children’s Services, Prevention Education and training, Lethality Assessment Program (LAP).
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) is the only organization in Chester County contracted by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) to provide services solely to victims of domestic violence and their dependent children. Domestic violence affects approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.
Core programs and services include Counseling, Housing, Relocation Legal, Children’s Services, Prevention Education and training, Lethality Assessment Program (LAP).
The Garage Community and Youth Center
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: Women and Girls Youth and Community Development Programs
The Garage Youth Center addresses the critical need of after school support for young women in the Kennett Square and Avondale communities to ensure that girls have access to after school programming during the “Prime Time for Juvenile Crime” in Pennsylvania of 2-6 PM (After School Alliance, 2019). GYC prioritizes creating and implementing after-school and summer programming for girls because they recognize and understand that young females are surrounded by overwhelming societal pressures and are constantly bombarded with unrealistic gender expectations, objectified in the media, and incensed with contradicting opinions about who to be, what to think, and how to look. Their goal is to help each of the girls overcome the immense obstacles standing in the way of her achievement and to be a source of support, friendship, mentoring, and empowerment on her journey.
Since moving into the Avondale space, GYC has been able to increase offerings to the adult women of Southern Chester County. Through the expansion of their parent programs including technology workshops, ESL classes, meal distribution, and more, their services demonstrate positive impact not only on school age girls, but their parents as well, making our efforts holistic in support to the experience of our families.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: Women and Girls Youth and Community Development Programs
The Garage Youth Center addresses the critical need of after school support for young women in the Kennett Square and Avondale communities to ensure that girls have access to after school programming during the “Prime Time for Juvenile Crime” in Pennsylvania of 2-6 PM (After School Alliance, 2019). GYC prioritizes creating and implementing after-school and summer programming for girls because they recognize and understand that young females are surrounded by overwhelming societal pressures and are constantly bombarded with unrealistic gender expectations, objectified in the media, and incensed with contradicting opinions about who to be, what to think, and how to look. Their goal is to help each of the girls overcome the immense obstacles standing in the way of her achievement and to be a source of support, friendship, mentoring, and empowerment on her journey.
Since moving into the Avondale space, GYC has been able to increase offerings to the adult women of Southern Chester County. Through the expansion of their parent programs including technology workshops, ESL classes, meal distribution, and more, their services demonstrate positive impact not only on school age girls, but their parents as well, making our efforts holistic in support to the experience of our families.
LCH Community and Health Services
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Women’s Health Center
In 2017, in response to patient feedback requesting a more private place to receive women’s health care, LCH opened the Women’s Health Center in West Grove. This centrally located site provides comprehensive women’s health services for a very vulnerable population of low-income women, many of whom have no health insurance and no other alternative for local care. LCH accepts Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and most private insurance plans. Uninsured patients pay on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size, and no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay.
At LCH’s Women’s Health Center, patients can receive routine exams, prenatal and postpartum care, family planning services, and referrals to cancer screenings, including mammograms. These services support women during some of their most vulnerable life transitions, empower them to control their fertility and their lives, and offer life-saving screenings that keep them healthy. They conduct at least one annual patient survey to ensure that they are utilizing the viewpoints of our patients as they seek to provide them with the best possible care.
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Women’s Health Center
In 2017, in response to patient feedback requesting a more private place to receive women’s health care, LCH opened the Women’s Health Center in West Grove. This centrally located site provides comprehensive women’s health services for a very vulnerable population of low-income women, many of whom have no health insurance and no other alternative for local care. LCH accepts Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and most private insurance plans. Uninsured patients pay on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size, and no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay.
At LCH’s Women’s Health Center, patients can receive routine exams, prenatal and postpartum care, family planning services, and referrals to cancer screenings, including mammograms. These services support women during some of their most vulnerable life transitions, empower them to control their fertility and their lives, and offer life-saving screenings that keep them healthy. They conduct at least one annual patient survey to ensure that they are utilizing the viewpoints of our patients as they seek to provide them with the best possible care.
Maternal and Child Health Consortium
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Healthy Start
MCHC provides a continuum of care through the Healthy Start Program. Utilizing the Community Health Worker (CHW) and Parents as Teachers (PAT) models, the program focuses on reducing low birth weight and maternal health challenges. Women are enrolled during pregnancy until the child is 18 months, with CHWs providing 1-2 hour home visits, occurring weekly to monthly based on need. CHWs deliver prenatal and postnatal health education, early childhood development screenings, and activities promoting motor, sensory, and cognitive skills in infants. Health risk assessments, including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), address childhood trauma impact, with those scoring 4+ receiving stress management and increased CHW contact, alongside referrals to mental health counseling. The Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) screens for depression, providing support for those scoring 14+. CHWs also offer diabetes and heart disease education for risk awareness and healthy habit development. Prenatal visits cover goal setting, benefits enrollment, immunization checklists, and education on diabetes and heart disease prevention. Postnatal visits include breastfeeding guidance, family planning, pediatric care readiness, and developmental milestones introduction by infancy stage. The program aims to comprehensively address the diverse needs of women, fostering a healthier start for both mothers and children.
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Healthy Start
MCHC provides a continuum of care through the Healthy Start Program. Utilizing the Community Health Worker (CHW) and Parents as Teachers (PAT) models, the program focuses on reducing low birth weight and maternal health challenges. Women are enrolled during pregnancy until the child is 18 months, with CHWs providing 1-2 hour home visits, occurring weekly to monthly based on need. CHWs deliver prenatal and postnatal health education, early childhood development screenings, and activities promoting motor, sensory, and cognitive skills in infants. Health risk assessments, including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), address childhood trauma impact, with those scoring 4+ receiving stress management and increased CHW contact, alongside referrals to mental health counseling. The Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) screens for depression, providing support for those scoring 14+. CHWs also offer diabetes and heart disease education for risk awareness and healthy habit development. Prenatal visits cover goal setting, benefits enrollment, immunization checklists, and education on diabetes and heart disease prevention. Postnatal visits include breastfeeding guidance, family planning, pediatric care readiness, and developmental milestones introduction by infancy stage. The program aims to comprehensively address the diverse needs of women, fostering a healthier start for both mothers and children.
Mom’s House
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Mom’s House provides a unique family support system, including free state-licensed childcare, for low income, single parents while they are pursuing their full-time education and becoming independent members of society.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Mom’s House provides a unique family support system, including free state-licensed childcare, for low income, single parents while they are pursuing their full-time education and becoming independent members of society.
North Star of Chester County
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
North Star of Chester County guides single working parents with dependent children, who are at risk of homelessness, toward stability and financial independence. We help our participant families remain in affordable housing as they work to secure their future through a structured program of financial assistance, mentoring and supportive services.
North Star operates a three-year homelessness prevention and self-sufficiency program for working single parents. The length of the program affords the women we serve the time necessary to achieve long-term goals. These goals may include reducing debts, building savings, improving credit scores, obtaining higher-paying jobs, continuing their education, or becoming a homeowner. Mothers in the program communicate their needs to their case managers, with whom they develop a strong rapport, over three years. When families expressed they were food-insecure, North Star expanded their office pantry, providing a greater quantity and diversity of non-perishable goods as well as frozen foods. They stocked their pantry with personal care products, household cleaning supplies, diapers, and women’s hygiene products, as the price of these goods remains prohibitively expensive. To assist mothers in the program, who wish to continue their education, they provided financial support including tuition fees, funding for textbooks, and the purchase of a laptop.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
North Star of Chester County guides single working parents with dependent children, who are at risk of homelessness, toward stability and financial independence. We help our participant families remain in affordable housing as they work to secure their future through a structured program of financial assistance, mentoring and supportive services.
North Star operates a three-year homelessness prevention and self-sufficiency program for working single parents. The length of the program affords the women we serve the time necessary to achieve long-term goals. These goals may include reducing debts, building savings, improving credit scores, obtaining higher-paying jobs, continuing their education, or becoming a homeowner. Mothers in the program communicate their needs to their case managers, with whom they develop a strong rapport, over three years. When families expressed they were food-insecure, North Star expanded their office pantry, providing a greater quantity and diversity of non-perishable goods as well as frozen foods. They stocked their pantry with personal care products, household cleaning supplies, diapers, and women’s hygiene products, as the price of these goods remains prohibitively expensive. To assist mothers in the program, who wish to continue their education, they provided financial support including tuition fees, funding for textbooks, and the purchase of a laptop.
The POINT
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: The POINT Girls’ Program
THE POINT has prioritized developing and implementing programs for girls because they recognize the complex challenges that young girls face. The girls in their program routinely face instability at home, experience food insecurity, neglect, homelessness, and many have been the victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Through academic support, daily meals, topical discussions, internships, recreational/social activities, mentoring, leadership training and retreats, girls at THE POINT have substantial opportunities to be surrounded by positive adult role models in a safe and nurturing environment – key contributors to empowering them to overcome life’s obstacles, break generational cycles of poverty and rise to their full potential.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: The POINT Girls’ Program
THE POINT has prioritized developing and implementing programs for girls because they recognize the complex challenges that young girls face. The girls in their program routinely face instability at home, experience food insecurity, neglect, homelessness, and many have been the victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Through academic support, daily meals, topical discussions, internships, recreational/social activities, mentoring, leadership training and retreats, girls at THE POINT have substantial opportunities to be surrounded by positive adult role models in a safe and nurturing environment – key contributors to empowering them to overcome life’s obstacles, break generational cycles of poverty and rise to their full potential.
Phoenixville Free Clinic
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Critical Laboratory Testing and Contraceptive Care for Uninsured Women of Chester County
Phoenixville Free Clinic (PFC) has responded to the needs of uninsured women in Chester County by providing critical medical care, including primary and specialty care, lab testing, medications, and advanced diagnostic care, all at no cost to the patient. As part of their specialty care, they provide both routine and high-risk gynecological services, including cancer screenings, STD testing, cervical, endometrial, and uterine biopsies, cultures, pregnancy tests, and other women’s health services.
Cancer screenings are a critical component of preventative care, and their ability to detect abnormal findings in their patients during routine exams increases positive health outcomes and allows for appropriate treatment before the progression of disease. In addition, bacterial testing, urine cultures, and hormone testing allow their providers to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic health issues that could negatively impact quality of life and opportunity if left untreated.
Funding Priority: Reproductive and Wellness Care
Area of Support: Critical Laboratory Testing and Contraceptive Care for Uninsured Women of Chester County
Phoenixville Free Clinic (PFC) has responded to the needs of uninsured women in Chester County by providing critical medical care, including primary and specialty care, lab testing, medications, and advanced diagnostic care, all at no cost to the patient. As part of their specialty care, they provide both routine and high-risk gynecological services, including cancer screenings, STD testing, cervical, endometrial, and uterine biopsies, cultures, pregnancy tests, and other women’s health services.
Cancer screenings are a critical component of preventative care, and their ability to detect abnormal findings in their patients during routine exams increases positive health outcomes and allows for appropriate treatment before the progression of disease. In addition, bacterial testing, urine cultures, and hormone testing allow their providers to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic health issues that could negatively impact quality of life and opportunity if left untreated.
Prepared to Thrive
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: Bright Futures Program
Prepared to Thrive was established in 2021 to address the countywide unmet need for children’s supplies. Their mission is to ensure every child in Chester County and the surrounding area has the essentials they need to thrive. They provide infant items such as diapers, strollers and car seats – items that every new parent needs, but which can be difficult to afford in low-income households. In addition to this, they provide for children up to the age of 14, including clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, books and toys.
Prepared to Thrive also seeks to reduce family strain by relieving economic pressure and freeing parents to focus more on their educational and employment goals for the future. Well over half of the families served in Bright Futures Program are led by single parents (59%) and 16% of parents we serve are teen mothers.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: Bright Futures Program
Prepared to Thrive was established in 2021 to address the countywide unmet need for children’s supplies. Their mission is to ensure every child in Chester County and the surrounding area has the essentials they need to thrive. They provide infant items such as diapers, strollers and car seats – items that every new parent needs, but which can be difficult to afford in low-income households. In addition to this, they provide for children up to the age of 14, including clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, books and toys.
Prepared to Thrive also seeks to reduce family strain by relieving economic pressure and freeing parents to focus more on their educational and employment goals for the future. Well over half of the families served in Bright Futures Program are led by single parents (59%) and 16% of parents we serve are teen mothers.
Project Libertad
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: Immigrant Children’s Defense Project and Know Your Rights
Project Libertad represents young women and girls in a variety of immigration legal processes tied directly to gender-based violence. For example, they seek asylum on behalf of women and girl survivors of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, incest, sexual abuse, gender-based discrimination, anti-LGBTQIA+ persecution, and sex trafficking. They apply for T and U visas (for survivors of trafficking and serious crimes, respectively) on the basis of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sex trafficking.
This grant will fund legal representation and advocacy for young women, girls, and LGBTIA+ immigrant youth in Chester County who are survivors of gender-based violence. This initiative will form a new program within Project Libertad’s Immigrant Children’s Defense Project and Know Your Rights Project.
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: Immigrant Children’s Defense Project and Know Your Rights
Project Libertad represents young women and girls in a variety of immigration legal processes tied directly to gender-based violence. For example, they seek asylum on behalf of women and girl survivors of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, incest, sexual abuse, gender-based discrimination, anti-LGBTQIA+ persecution, and sex trafficking. They apply for T and U visas (for survivors of trafficking and serious crimes, respectively) on the basis of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sex trafficking.
This grant will fund legal representation and advocacy for young women, girls, and LGBTIA+ immigrant youth in Chester County who are survivors of gender-based violence. This initiative will form a new program within Project Libertad’s Immigrant Children’s Defense Project and Know Your Rights Project.
Safe Harbor of Chester County
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Safe Harbor of Chester County (SHCC) is one of the largest and most diverse emergency shelter residents in Chester County. It is the only shelter for single women, offering a safe and supportive environment for women facing homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, or crises.
SHCC offers a wide variety of services to the shelter’s women, such as life skill lessons, case management, medication support, financial literacy, and work readiness skills to apply for job opportunities to emerge from homelessness and find permanent housing.
Funding Priority: Gender Based Violence Prevention
Area of Support: General Operating Support
Safe Harbor of Chester County (SHCC) is one of the largest and most diverse emergency shelter residents in Chester County. It is the only shelter for single women, offering a safe and supportive environment for women facing homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, or crises.
SHCC offers a wide variety of services to the shelter’s women, such as life skill lessons, case management, medication support, financial literacy, and work readiness skills to apply for job opportunities to emerge from homelessness and find permanent housing.
YoungMoms
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
YoungMoms supports pregnant and parenting young women aged 13 to 21, facing challenges like language barriers, incomplete education, domestic violence, depression, lack of transportation, and inadequate healthcare. They work with each young mom to build a better future for herself and her family through specialized case management and goal setting, life skills workshops, and community and relationship building.
Funding Priority: Economic Empowerment
Area of Support: General Operating Support
YoungMoms supports pregnant and parenting young women aged 13 to 21, facing challenges like language barriers, incomplete education, domestic violence, depression, lack of transportation, and inadequate healthcare. They work with each young mom to build a better future for herself and her family through specialized case management and goal setting, life skills workshops, and community and relationship building.
Past Grant Recipients
A CALL TO MEN
Adult Literacy Program
Alianzas de Phoenixville
The Alliance for Health Equity
Arts Holding Hands and Hearts
Barclay Friends
Barnstone Art for Kids
Bayard Taylor Memorial Library
Bianca Nikol Merge with Mercy Foundation
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SEPA
Black Women of Chester County in Action
Bournelyf Special Camp
Brandywine River Museum of Art
Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties
Care Center for Christ Foundation, Inc.
Charles A. Melton Arts Education Center
ChesPenn Health Services
Chester Counseling Center
Chester County Community Dental Center
Chester County Econ. Development Council
Chester County Food Bank
Chester County Futures
Chester County OIC
Chester County Women’s Commission
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Coatesville Area Senior Center
Coatesville Youth Initiative
Community Gardens of Chester County
Community Volunteers in Medicine
Community Warehouse Project
Community, Youth, and Women’s Alliance
Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
Downingtown Area Senior Center
Family Promise of Southern Chester County
Family Service of Chester County
Friends Assoc. for Care and Protection of Children
Friends of Farmworkers
The Garage Community and Youth Center
Gateway Horseworks
Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley
Girls Star, Inc.
Good Samaritan Services
Great Valley Nature Center
Habitat for Humanity of Chester County
Health Care Access
HIAS Pennsylvania
Home of the Sparrow
Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy
Kennett After-School Association
Kennett Area Communities That Care
Kennett Area Community Services
Kennett Area YMCA/Rays of Light Girls’ Club
Kennett/Oxford Senior Centers
LCH Community and Health Services
League of Women Voters
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
LIFE Center
Linda Creed Breast Cancer Organization
Maternal and Child Health Consortium
Mighty Writers
Minding Your Mind
Mom’s House, Inc. of Greater Philadelphia
New Voters
North Star of Chester County
Open Hearth, Inc.
Orion Communities, Inc.
Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center
Peer Outreach Foundation
People’s Light and Theatre Company
Phoenixville Area Community Services
Phoenixville Area Positive Alternative
Phoenixville Area Senior Center
The Phoenixville Free Clinic
Phoenixville Women’s Outreach
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA
The POINT
Police Athletic League of Greater WC
Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester, Inc.
Sheltering Arms, Inc.
Stroud Water Research Center
Unite for HER
Valley Youth House
Volunteer English Program in Chester County
West Chester Area Senior Center
West Chester Community Center
Wings for Success
Women’s Resource Center
The Working Wardrobe
YMCA of the Brandywine Valley
YMCA of the Southern Chester County
YoungMoms
YWCA of Chester County