Melissa Baxter, (seated left), chairperson of the Community Philanthropic Committee , joins representatives of the non-profit organizations who received grants from the club, (seated second from left) Hallie Romanowski, Christine Zaccarelli, Glenda Brion, Kim Booz, and (standing from left) Dallas Knowlton, Ellen Donohoe, Rita Brouwer-Ancher, Emily McClure, Dr. Dolly Wideman-Scott, Don Neimetz, Meghan Ervine, Natalie Coughlin, Tyler Changaris, Loretta Cohen, and Steve Brown, club president.Fourteen area non-profits received $30,000 in financial support from the Rotary Club of West Chester at a recent luncheon meeting. Each representative had an opportunity to tell how they will use their grants.
Meghan Ervine, volunteer coordinator at Home of the Sparrow, talked about the grant assisting women in their housing programs, and their collection of school supplies for the women’s children.
Glenda Brion, executive director of the Community Warehouse Project, said they serve an average of six families a week, coming out of shelters that need furniture and household items. “Currently there is an increased need for items for families affected by recent floods. Rotary funds will be used for bed pillows, and transportation costs to deliver furniture to families when volunteers are not available,” she said.
Hallie Romanowski, executive director of Act in Faith of Greater West Chester, thanked Rotary for being one of the organizations, along with nine of the organization in attendance, who have provided overwhelming support. “We never had to close, remained able to help needy individuals throughout the pandemic, and will continue to do so with this grant,” she said.
Dr. Dolly Wideman-Scott, CEO of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, said their organization also remained open during the pandemic because the need for services continues year around. She thanked the Rotary Club for volunteering with some DVC projects during the pandemic, providing the grant, and emphasized the partnerships with other non-profit organizations in the county to meet victims’ needs.
The West Chester Area Senior Center (WCASC) representative, Ellen Donohoe, acknowledged their long-term partnership with the Rotary Club, specifically in helping with WCASC’s food distribution program. “We provide food for seniors to pick up every week, and deliver food to seniors who cannot get out or who live in low income senior housing,” she said.
North Star of Chester County director, Don Neimetz, also cited long-term support from Rotary and other organizations that make it possible for them to help single, working parents. “Rents have been going up significantly,” he said, “so Rotary funds will help us provide rental assistance for the working poor.”
“The connection between horses and riders is visible,” said Dallas Knowlton, program director of Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, which works with individuals having physical and/or cognitive issues. One example she cited was after their program was able to reopen, one of the horses noticeably responded to a returning rider. “We often note an emotional component,” she added.
Emily McClure, chief advancement officer of Friends Assn. for the Care and Protection of Children, thanked Rotary for providing support since 2007. “We have been able to double our staff since then,” she said, noting that Friends is approaching its 200th anniversary. “Funds will go toward the housing we have recently acquired in Coatesville, which will eventually house up to seven families, “she added.
The Arc of Chester County serves 400 families annually, according to director of advocacy, Kim Booz, who said their grant funds will go toward education advocacy and system advocacy for people with disabilities.
“Our grant will help remove barriers to and provide increased mental health counselling,” said Tyler Changaris, director of development, at Family Service of Chester County, noting that “mental health crises’ went up during the pandemic.”
Telling how funds will be used to continue bringing exercise programs to residents of The Hickman Senior Living Community, Rita Brouwer-Ancher, director of development, told about Myrtle, a 101-year-- old resident who has lived at the Hickman for 20 years. “She recently led our ‘Olympic Parade,’ an exercise event that included wheelchair volley ball and other “sports.” Marching forward with her walker, she said ‘I’m so glad to get out of lockdown!””
“Our 24/7 hotline, advocates who provide legal and medical accompaniment, prevention outreach, and advocacy education will all benefit from our grant,” said Christine Zaccarelli, executive director of the Crime Victims Center of Chester County.
Natalie Coughlin, representing the Maternal and Child Health Consortium, said she was impressed that folks like Rotarians are so invested in the community, and in organizations like hers, who work with mothers and children, and significantly in the Hispanic community.
“Improving outcomes for youth will be the recipient of funds for West Chester Communities That Care,” said Loretta Cohen, Community Mobilizer of the organization. As part of their work with youth at risk, they are helping with the Padres Latinos program to encourage fathers and men to work with at risk youth.
Community Philanthropic grants are usually supported by funds raised at Rotary’s annual Chili Cook-off, which was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, a generous donation from a Rotarian allowed grants to be given this fall.