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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of November 16, 2014

Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources
and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them
___________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in
yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might
improve our publications, content and convenience of use.
E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their
families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others
and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences
that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged
to use contact information to confirm times and dates.
To unsubscribe, please send a message to bps461@msn.com
with the word Unsubcribe in the Subject line.
2009-2014 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events:

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities
listed by day over the next several months.
Special Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly
each week or month.

-2-

Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare,

Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts.
Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings.
E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including
Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today

Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of
Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring
during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar.
These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others
through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail.

Updated: This Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)

American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Quit Smoking Kits Distribution Various Chester County Locations.
Color Blast Art Exhibit Pottstown.
Painted Country Views Art Exhibit Malvern.
From Isolation to Collaboration Art Exhibit Malvern.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.
Fall Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
FBI Spying Author Discussion Exton.
Asian Tea Experience Presentation Phoenixville.
Memory Screenings New Holland.
Get It Done Day West Chester.
Transitioning from High School Forum West Grove.
DamNation Film Screening Reading.
Coaching Boys into Men Training West Chester.
Veterans Family Services Coatesville.
Western National Parks Tour Exton.
Pardons and Expungements Workshop Coatesville.
Women and Money Workshop Exton.
Firearms Safety Training Conshohocken.
In the Morning Light Author Discussion Berwyn.
Potassium Iodine Distribution Various Locations.
Financial Fitness Workshop Downingtown.
Eleanor Roosevelt Author Discussion Paoli.
Bus to the Future Tour West Chester.
Veteran Legal Services Coatesville.
Free Birds Family Movie Spring City.
The IEP Process Parent Workshop West Chester.
Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Quit Smoking Kits Distribution Various Chester County Locations.
Color Blast Art Exhibit Pottstown.
Painted Country Views Art Exhibit Malvern.
From Isolation to Collaboration Art Exhibit Malvern.
Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations.
PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.

-3-

New:

Fall Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.

Barbershop Quartet Concert Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Fall Concert Souderton.
Community Thanksgiving Service West Grove.
Thanksgiving Service New Holland.
Parkinsons Support Outcomes Presentation New Holland.
A Military Surgeon at Valley Forge Presentation Phoenixville.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Family Movie and Dinner West Grove.
The Kirkin O the Tartans Service King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Storytime in the Barn for Kids Glenmoore.
Waterfowl Watch Green Lane.
Miracle on 34th Street Family Movie Spring City.
Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)
Sounds of the Season Concert Strafford.
Stress-free Holidays Workshop Strafford.
Movie-ing Through Advent Family Night Films and Dinner West Grove.
Chillin on Main with Santa Boyertown.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Celebration Strafford.
Community Luncheon Caf Thanksgiving-Christmas Turkey Dinner West Grove.
Transferable Skills for Job-Seekers Workshop Exton.
Proposal Writing Basics to Foundations Workshop Pottstown.

Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongoing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a
date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning
processes for their own events.
Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the
current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears
at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to
bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Open Enrollment for Medicare and Health Insurance
Marketplace Now Underway Medicare Through Sunday, December 7; Affordable
Care Through Sunday, February 15; Healthy PA Medicaid Expansion New Up
Monday, December 1
Officials are encouraging individuals in Medicare and
Affordable Health Care insurance plans to check coverages and
premiums during open enrollment periods this and every year
due to potential changes.
Open enrollment for Medicare health and prescription drug
plans is available through December 7, and for Marketplace
Qualified Health Plans, through February 15. Individuals also
may qualify for special enrollment periods at other times if
they experience certain events.
In addition, several hundred thousand Pennsylvanians will be
able to join an expanded Medicaid program starting December
1.

-4-

Further information about Medicare coverages is available at www.medicare.gov/find-aplan/questions/home.aspx or (800) 633-4227. Free information and individual
consultations are available through the Pennsylvania APPRISE volunteer assistance program
by contacting county Area Agencies on Aging or at
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=616587&mode=2 or (800) 7837067.
Additional information about the Health Insurance Marketplace is available at
www.healthcare.gov or (800) 318-2596. Local assistance sites also are available at
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.
Initial information on Healthy PA Medicare expansion for low-income persons is available at
www.healthypa.com. However, results of this months gubernatorial election could result in
program changes due to differing candidate positions on the program.

Penn State Extension Develops Online Health Insurance Marketplace Assistance Site
Penn State Extension has developed an online Health Insurance Literacy Link to assist consumers in
understanding healthcare provisions and initiatives established by the federal Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how to buy health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Further information is available at www.extension.psu.edu/health/insurance.

NEW THIS WEEK: PECO Increases Rebates on Energy Efficient Appliances

PECO has increased its rebate for customers recycling their
old refrigerators and freezers through its Smart Appliance
Recycling Program.
The energy supplier now will pay consumers $50, an increase of $15, for old appliances and
a $75 rebate for new ENERGY STAR refrigerators.
PECO Smart Appliance Recycling also provides free removal and recycling of the old
appliance. Since older appliances require as much as three times more electricity to operate
than models built to meet current efficiency standards, PECO says consumers can save up
to $150 on their energy bill, in addition to the rebate.
Further information on this and other rebates, programs and energy saving tips is available
at https://www.peco.com/savings/pages/default.aspx. Consumers outside the PECO service
area should check with their energy supplier for any similar programs.

NEW LAST WEEK: AAA Foundation Finds Driver Fatigue is Major Issue
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in new research, finds that more than one-in-five fatal
crashes -- 21 percent -- involve driver fatigue and has provided tips on how to overcome
this danger.
Drivers often underestimate the risk and overestimate their ability to combat drowsiness
behind the wheel, the organization says, noting that one third of crashes involving a drowsy
driver result in injuries and over 6,000 fatigue-related crashes per year result in at least one
fatality.

-5-

Further information on the report, including safety tips, is available at

www.newsroom.aaa.com/2014/11/one-five-fatal-crashes-involve-drowsy-drivers.

NEW THIS WEEK: Disabilities Forums Scheduled Tuesday-Wednesday,

November 18 19
Two forums have been scheduled in Berks and Chester counties to receive comment in
regard to needs of individuals with disabilities.
Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living will host a discussion on the cross-disability
movement related to similar issues facing individuals from a host of disability backgrounds
form 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. November 18 at the FYE Store, Fairground Square Mall, 3050 North
5th Street Highway, Reading, with lunch preceding the event at 12:30 p.m.
Further information and registration is available at www.yourvoicematterspa.org/upcomingevents, yourvoicematterspa@lvcil.org or (610) 770-9781 x141.
Several organizations will host a forum on various issues affecting persons with disabilities
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. November 19 in Room 171 of the Government Services Center,
601 Westtown Road, West Chester.
Further information is available at
https://www.facebook.com/WCUSocialWork/posts/826563874052705, ehowell@drnpa.org
or (717) 236-8110 x300.

NEW LAST WEEK: Montco Sheriff Hosting Firearms Safety and Awareness
Seminars Starts Wednesday, November 19
Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono has initiated a series of five free Firearms Safety
and Awareness Seminars into next year, with free gun locks also
being provided to those who complete the course.
The first session will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. November 19 at
the Public Safety Training Campus, 1175 Conshohocken Road,
Conshohocken.
The right to bear arms is absolutely guaranteed under the
constitution, the sheriff says. "However, responsibilities come with it
(and) misuse of firearms or that right comes with potential criminal and civil liability.
Some 50,000 gun permits are registered with the department with 325 new permits and
265 renewals issued in an average month. Nearly 3,800 United States residents died from
unintentional shootings between 2005 and 2010, according to the Law Center to Prevent
Gun Violence.
Further information and required registration are available at
www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/8126.

-6-

Chesco Community Health Improvement Plan Forum Scheduled Friday,

December 5
Chester County RoadMAPP to Health will describe its Community Health Improvement Plan
from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. December 5 in the Cafeteria, Government Services Center,
601 Westtown Road, West Chester.
The session will provide an overview of planning activities and discuss the future of
RoadMAPP to Health, including opportunities for individuals and organizations to support the
projectd.
Further information on RoadMAPP to Health is available at
http://webapps.chesco.org/webapps/health/cha/home.html, aorr@chesco.org or (610) 3446633, with forum registration at www.surveymonkey.com/s/roadmappCHIP.

Senior and Disabled Property Tax/Rent Rebate Eligibility Modified for Some
Seniors Ends Wednesday, December 31
Senior citizens who lost their Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate this year due to Social
Security cost-of-living adjustments now may be eligible.
Gov. Corbett has signed into law a provision that any homeowner who receives Social
Security, was paid a property tax rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual
income up to $35,298 last year, with half of Social Security income excluded from the
calculation, can apply for a rebate for claim year 2013. Renters with annual incomes last
year up to $15,128 also may apply. Previous eligibility levels were $35,000 and $15,000.
Reports indicate that over 2,300 individuals who were denied a rebate or didn't file because
of the cost-of-living adjustment now may be eligible.
The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2013 is December 31.
Rebates are available for eligible seniors ages 65 and over, widows and widowers 50 and
over, and persons with disabilities 18 and over.
Additional information on the changes is available at
http://www.pa.gov/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?agency=REVENUE&item=16233#.VFfNmsmwT
Kc, with information on the program available at Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislator offices.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings

(Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change)
Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third
Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room
at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of
community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and
hear presentations from various services providers. On November 19, Jarrett Jackson,
president of the board of directors of the Coatesville Memorial Community Center, will
present the CMCC vision for establishing a community-wide System of Care within the
Greater Coatesville area through true collaborations among community partners to meet
real needs of children and families throughout all its neighborhoods. Further information is
available from Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16.

-7-

Lancaster County LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets from 1 p.m. to
2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area locations for
services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door
resource for older adults and adults with disabilities, including consumers, family members
and others, seeking information about local resources. On November20, Carol Yingling of
the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimers Association will present at Conestoga
View Nursing & Rehabilitation, 900 East King Street, Lancaster. On December 18,
Community Action Program (CAP) of Lancaster County will present at Keystone Villa,
100 North State Street, Ephrata. Further information is available from Brian Long,
coordinator, at www.berkslancasterlebanonlink.org/18-2/cross-training-meetings/2014meetings, blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the
fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north
entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations
exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from
various services providers. On November 25, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania will
provide a broad background of services information. Additional information about the group
is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282
x201 or at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.
Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on
the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations.
The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service
agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in
living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from
Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262.
COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the
month from September through June at various Southern Chester County locations. Paid
and volunteer individuals who work with Chester County children, youth and families share
information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs.
Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500.
Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. the first Thursday of
alternating months to exchange information on promotion of holistic health within faith
congregations and communities and to develop additional faith community nurses, also
known as parish nurses. On January 8, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior
Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from
Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180.
Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of
January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with
any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on
resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area
community. On January 14, the group will meet at Church of the Open Door, 210 South
Broad Street, Kennett Square. Additional information is available from Joan Holliday at
dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are available at
www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php.
Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide
networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning
and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce

-8-

negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency,
teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence.

West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of
each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman
Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Lunch is provided by
reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817.

Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the
month from September through May at the Administrative Offices, Downingtown
Area School District, 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown. On November 18,
participants will be involved with working groups. Lunch is provided, with further
information and registration available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 458-9090
x2827.

Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the

Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets periodically in the fourth floor
Community Room, Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway,
Coatesville. Further information and requested lunch reservations are available from
Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at Jarvis@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org or
(610) 380-0200.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing
Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for
persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific
services in support of those who attend:
Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church,
95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after
the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of
the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same time
in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the
Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for
those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those
with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on
assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities
is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171.

Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and My Career Transitions
(MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main
Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a
new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. In December, no meeting will be held.
Further information and required registration are available at
http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings.

Wayne A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special

employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. Davids Episcopal
Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from
George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

-9-

West Chester Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to
7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to
learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available
from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554.

West Chester BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mondays,
except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue,
West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or
info@barnabaswc.org.

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month:

Central Delco Groups at three locations in Central Delaware County now
coordinate meetings in Media and Upper Darby at 7 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays
of the month. First Tuesday: St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church,
2400 North Providence Road, Media, with further information at
smmemploy@gmail.com or (610) 873-7117. Second Tuesday: The Parish Hall
Rear Entrance, St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby. Third
Tuesday: Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike,
Media, with further information at robinst37@gmail.com. On November 18, a
panel of Joseph People graduates will share information on what brought success to
their job searches.
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at St.
Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor Avenue (Route 322), in the parish meeting room behind
the school at the back of the property. Further information about the affiliate is
available by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117.
Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the
Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 635 First Avenue. Further information is
available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398.
Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School
Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester
Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at
david.bolz@verizon.net.
Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of
Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is
available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005.
West Grove 6:45 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the new Parish
Life Center, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 300 State Road, West
Grove. On November 19, former job-seeker John Colarusso will discuss use of
LinkedIn in job searches. Further information is available from John Colgan at
johnfcolgan@gmail.com. Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is
available at www.josephspeople.org.

Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report - November
Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning,
along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities,
can take advantage of a broad series of monthly workshops offered by the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor CareerLink at its new Exton offices in Suite 500, 479 Thomas Jones
Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center.
These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.

- 10 -

A calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops for the current month, along with
several company job fairs, is available at
http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/20861.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/20882. Daily position openings updates are
available through www.cwds.state.pa.us.
Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are
available to out-of-county residents, include:
Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware: www.delcoworks.org
Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com
Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024

Phoenixville Library Expands Job-Seeker Assistance

Phoenixville Public Library is starting new individual job-seeker assistance and a weekly
support group for those who are unemployed and
underemployed, expanding already significant services
available to job-seekers.
The free Wednesday sessions, starting November 12, will
be led by Les Segarnick, a professional recruiter and job
coach.
The support group will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
weekly in the Harrop Room of the library, located at 183
Second Avenue, followed by hourly one-on-one appointments at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
and 12:30 p.m. for those who have attended a support group meeting.
Individual session appointments may be scheduled by e-mailing a current resume to
lsegarnick@gmail.com. Additional information is available at (610) 933-3013 x132.
The new offerings are part of a library focus on expanding assistance to job-seekers. In
addition to its many resource materials available for the unemployed, underemployed and
potential entrepreneurs, the library already offers several classes and other services.
A sampling of these are available at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/category/adults/learn,
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/resources, www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/ovr-employmentsupport, www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/computer-services and
www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/programs-for-adults-2.

LIHEAP Heating Assistance Program Starts Ends Friday, April 3

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that
assists eligible homeowners and renters with home
heating bills has started and runs through April 3, for
both regular and crisis grants.
Funds are sent to utility companies for qualifying
individuals at 150% of federal poverty guidelines, for

- 11 -

example $17,505 for a single person and $35,775 for a family of four.
Further information is available at
www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap/index.htm or local County
Assistance Offices. Tips on saving energy are available at
www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver.

Free Winter Coats for Kids Available

The Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia Caring for Kids Foundation is
distributing free new winter coats through the Brandywine YMCA.
Coats are available for Pre-K through high schools students in sizes 3t to adult size large.
Further information is available from Brian Wenzka, YMCA senior director of youth
development and outreach, at bwenzka@ymcabwv.org or (610) 380-9622 x2128.

Free Online Winter Preparedness Videos Now

Available
New national Just in Time videos from the Disaster
Resistant Communities Group on winter weather hazards
now are available.
Nearly two dozen video, covering coping with burst frozen
pipes to pet safety, along with driving safety and storm
disasters, now are available at http://www.drcgroup.com/project/jitt.html#winterawareness.

Veterans Adult Day Health Care Services Now in Three Chester County Locations;
Fourth Being Pursued
Coatesville Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center has started an adult day health care
program at the American Legion Post 602 in Spring City, joining previous locations at
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 845 in Downingtown and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 106
in West Chester. A fourth site is being investigated.
Some 50 elderly or disabled veterans participate in the social and supportive program which
takes place one day a week at each location. A typical day consists of some combination of
coffee, social time, music, therapeutic exercise, current event discussion, trivia, art and
other leisure activities.
VA officials said activities are designed to help veterans stay in their homes and engaged in
life, and also provides caregiver respite.
Veterans must be enrolled and eligible for VA health care to participate with further
information available at
https://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleVAMC/posts/747397171962671, from Mandy
Trammel at (610) 384-7711 x6082 and at
http://www.coatesville.va.gov/services/Mobile_Adult_Day_Health_Care.asp.

- 12 -

Free Assistance for Companion Pet Owners

Animal House Project, known as the Chester County Pet Food Pantry, has expanded
assistance from Chester County to pet owners in Berks and Western Montgomery counties.
The organization distributes donated pet food, pet care items, and veterinary vouchers for
spaying/neutering and vaccines, when available, to families in crisis or within 200% of
federal poverty guidelines.
During the first six months of this year, the food pantry reports distribution of more than
12 tons of dry and over 6,000 cans of pet food to owners in need. Distribution is available
one Saturday a month in both Pottstown and through a mobile pantry in Downingtown.
Donation drop-offs are available at several locations.
Further information and applications are available at www.animalhouseproject.org,
info@animalhouseproject.org or (484) 558-0467.

Database Developed for Parents of Children with Substance-Related Issues

The Support Group Project of the Treatment Research Institute and Hope for Addiction has
developed an online database of support groups for parents of children struggling with
substance-related issues.
A recent survey conducted by Faces and Voices of Recovery found that nearly two-thirds of
all families are affected by addiction, but parents often feel alone in dealing with the issue.
Further information and the database are available at www.supportgroupproject.org.

Parents Helping Teen Driving Safety Program Available

Safe Roads Alliance has developed The Parents Supervised Driving Program to help improve
teen driver safety that includes a 70-page parent assistance guide and a RoadReady mobile
app.
Driving Through the Eyes of Teens, a 2012 study conducted by the Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance,
found that drivers whose parents are highly
involved were 50% less likely to crash,
71% less likely to drive intoxicated, two
times more likely to wear seat belts and
30% less likely to use a cell phone.
A 2010 study, Parents, Teens and Learner
Stage of Graduate Licensing, conducted by the AAA Foundation found that only four percent
of parents use any resource when teaching their teen to drive and parents stop the
supervised driving process early and over-estimate time spent in supervision.
Further information on the Safe Roads Alliance program is available at
www.theparentssuperviseddrivingprogram.com, the 2012 study at
https://teendriving.statefarm.com/system/article_downloads/State_Farm_Teen_Driving_Dri
ving_Through_Eyes_of_Teens_Closer_Look.pdf, and the AAA study at
https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/ParentsTeensReport.pdf.

- 13 -

Processing Fee Dropped for Donating Deer Hunters

Hunters who donate extra venison to the Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program that
provides ground venison to food banks, soup kitchens and needy families no longer will pay
a $15 processing fee to do so.
The charge has been dropped, with contributing hunters also receiving a S.P.O.R.T.
measuring tape as a reward for contributing.
Since 1991, HSH has had an annual goal of delivering 100,000 pounds of donated venison
that can provide more than 750,000 meals to those in need.
Further information on the program and the changes are available at
www.sharedeer.org/535/hsh-to-offer-new-donor-incentives-for-2014-season or (866) 4742141.

Dozens of Area Dangerous Dogs on State Registry

Over 75 animals in area counties are posted on the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture's Dangerous Dog Registry.
Two dozen dangerous dogs, defined as ones that have attacked, inflicted severe injury to,
or killed a human being or a domestic animal without provocation while off an owner's
property, are located in Lancaster County, with 18 each in Berks and Montgomery, 13 in
Delaware and five in Chester counties.
A $500 licensing fee, plus an administrative cost, is charged to dog owners annually for the
life of the animal.
Further information and registered locations throughout Pennsylvania are available at
www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/A
gWebsite/ProgramDetail.aspx%3Fpalid=61%26.

Southern Chester County Ride For Health Expansion Materials Available

The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and the
Phoenixville Community Health have created new materials explaining the Ride for Health
Initiative (RFHI) in Southern Chester County that include free transportation for human and
social services needs.
The service provides taxi or public transit trips for eligible residents of Avon Grove, Kennett,
Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to health and human and social services
sites, including those in Kennett Square, West Chester and Coatesville.
Information on both the Southern Chester County and a similar Phoenixville area initiatives
are available at www.tmacc.org/public-transportation/ride-for-health-initiative.

Health Officials Advise on Ebola Epidemic

Pennsylvania and local health officials are updating families about the Ebola epidemic,
including how it is transmitted, its prevention and other information at these web sites:

Pennsylvania:
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1904738&mode=2

- 14 -

Chester County: http://chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=2837

Montgomery County: http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1889

Chester and Montgomery have two of only six county health departments in Pennsylvania.

Chesco Human Services Develops Consumer Maps for Services

Chester County Department of Human Services has developed a series of services maps for
its departments to aid consumers in finding how and where to
access services.
Maps include Aging, Drug and Alcohol, Intellectual Disabilities,
Mental Health for both adults and children, early childhood
learning intervention, child care, children, youth and families,
juvenile justice and five information and referral sites.
The primary clickable map is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/19237.

Chesco Library System Launches Free Mobile App

The Chester County Library System has launched a new mobile app for its libraries to
provide easy access to library accounts and many other library services.
The app includes functions such as full account and catalog access to place holds and renew
materials, an ISBN barcode search, Ask a Librarian feature, access to databases and
resources such as the Power Library, Mango Languages and Refer Web for health and
human service information in Chester County, new releases and top recommendations, and
individual libraries social media pages, blogs, and calendars of events.
Mobile users also can access OverDrive directly to download eBooks and eAudiobooks and
read eMagazines through the librarys digital magazine distribution service, Flipster.
Further information and download links are available through www.ccls.org.

Free Depression Screening Available Online

An anonymous self-test for depression, available online, helps one to determine whether he
or she may need assistance for health issue that affects a significant number of adults and
youth each year and can lead to significant physical health problems.
Help Yourself Help Others information and online test are available at
http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/hyho.

Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information in these
E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time and are being listed for awareness.

- 15 -

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing

Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing community services
providers and those needing information together.
If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes individuals and youth) that we
should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either
with details or a web site link. In order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective
distribution so all information submitted may not be used.
Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions
as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed from this list, please hit reply and advise by
typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or something similar in the Subject line.
Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information
reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied.
Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic
communications method for this type of material that will have more expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics.
Please stay tuned.
To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings
Casey
Casey Jones
Transformation Initiative
Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families
(610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com

General Guidelines for Information Submission:

Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure for new subscribers,
persons who don't read the list every week, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling opposite an
event or might want to collaborate with another in the area. For annual events, longer lead times may be
appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the week of publication.
A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what actually is
occurring and why they might like to attend) can be obtained by perusing the publications or using the following
guide:
Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.

Name of Event:
Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates:
Times (Starting and ending):
Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a Mapquest or Google
Maps searchable address:
Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address:
Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.):
Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to three
descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as
"wonderful", "great", etc.):
Any Fees, including free-will offerings:
Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the specific
activity:
Any registration requirements:

We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small materials fee is
charged.

- 16 -

Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free activities also
available, including free admission, and a participant has the choice of purchasing incidental items, such
as food or crafts.
Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship services.

Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case
basis in context with focus of the publications.