Posts filed under: Cluster Chronicles

Community Meals

Christine Jackson and Leah Shollenberger prepare to serve a lunch meal at Christ Episcopal Church.

 

In an effort to get involved more diversely and directly with those PCRC serves in the community, the staff of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) have been organizing, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the Community Meal lunch at Christ Episcopal Church in Pottstown since the first Monday in June. Barbara Wilhelmy, PCRC Executive Director noted, “It is it is fun to be out in the community witnessing the work we do from a different angle, and to share some of the work with community partners.” All staff members share in the tasks as a team, from planning the meal, to executing all that is needed to make everything run smoothly. Leaders at Christ Episcopal Church and other groups coordinate all the activity, and are longtime critical and committed partners with PCRC. 

The staff will continue to serve at the Community Meal lunch the first Monday of every month at Christ Episcopal Church. 

For more information about Community Meals, visit pottstowncluster.org/communitymeals or call 610.970.5995.

Christ Church Banner
Commmunity Meals
Spaghetti
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Cupcakes
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Community Meals
Community Meals
Community Meals
Community Meals
Community Meals
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EPICThe Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. This is a new partner for PCRC. The grant supported the Eviction Prevention and Intervention Coalition (EPIC) pilot project designed to stabilize vulnerable families and individuals who are facing eviction by providing them with legal and social services support.

The project included case management services, carried out by PCRC, to prevent eviction in the short term and to connect the household to community supports necessary to maintain long term housing stability. Financial assistance will also be provided to households as appropriate and necessary to prevent eviction. PCRC supported the program with a Housing Stability Coach working in conjunction with legal representation on-site at the Magisterial District Court in Norristown, PA.

The project served 81 households in 2018 within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area during the one-year grant period. A Housing Stability Plan and a budget was created for each eligible participating household.

“Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities was extremely honored to receive a grant from the TD Charitable Foundation,” said Executive Director Barbara Wilhelmy. “We were able to address the significant and debilitating impact that evictions have on vulnerable populations as we worked to help those living in poverty prevent eviction, maintain housing stability, and find their voice within the legal system.”

This contribution supports TD’s longstanding commitment to community enrichment through The Ready Commitment, a multi-year platform that actively promotes inclusivity, economic vitality, environmental wellbeing and health, enabling people of all backgrounds to succeed in a rapidly changing world. As part of The Ready Commitment, TD targets CDN $1 billion (US $775 million) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four critical areas: Financial Security, a more Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through this platform, TD aspires to create a more inclusive tomorrow — helping people of all backgrounds feel more confident, not just about their finances, but about their ability to achieve their goals. For information, visit td.com/thereadycommitment.

 


About Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities

For over 50 years, through interfaith cooperation, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) has provided Food Security, Housing Stability, and Supportive Services and Education to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area. PCRC coordinates its programs and referrals to help clients improve their overall stability. For more information, call 610.970.5995, or visit pottstowncluster.org.

About the TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed over $200 million and more than 19,400 grants through donations to local nonprofits from Maine to Florida. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including the online grant application, is available at TDBank.com

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Wine Not

On May 9, 2019, over 65 women gathered from all parts of the Greater Pottstown area for an evening of fine wine, fellowship, and fundraising at the inaugural “Wine” Not? Women Helping Women event at the Stone Barn Cellars Winery. During the event, guests enjoyed wine tastings, a delectable dinner donated by local organizations and event committee members, and prizes such as must-have luxury women’s themed gift baskets. 

Event attendees came together to not only celebrate the women in their lives, but to also raise funds to support local under-resourced women. The need is great in Montgomery County, PA, as the largest demographic living in poverty is Female 18-24, followed by Female 25-34, and then Female 35-44. Last month PCRC served 257 families with women as “head of household.” 

Because of the women who joined us in our mission and supported the event, we were able to surpass our fundraising goal to provide local under-resourced women with food security, housing stability, and supportive services and education. We are already looking forward to the second annual Women Helping Women event in May 2020. “Wine” Not join us next year? 

Please visit our website frequently at pottstowncluster.org, or look for PCRC communications to come for information about next year’s event!

Barb Basket
Wine Not
Wine Not
Wine Not
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On June 12, 2019, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC) celebrated five empowered UP3 (Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere) graduates during a ceremony and celebration at The Hill School Center for the Arts. The UP3 graduates successfully completed a 16-week UP3 program dedicated to getting out of poverty, building social connections, and goal planning. We are proud to announce that our graduates are now on a path to creating a brighter financial future for themselves.  

Understanding Poverty to Plan and Persevere (UP3) is a mentored 16-week program which builds on the framework of Bridges Out of Poverty, and helps individuals build their resources and social capital.

For more information about UP3 visit: pottstowncluster.org/supportiveservicesandeducation or contact Ryli Meyer at 610.970.5995 or RMeyer@pottstowncluster.org.

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Signature Page

Thank you to all who showcased their support for our mission and shared your commitment to positively impacting the lives of our neighbors in need with their recent donation to our ninth annual Signature Page Showcase of Support initiative.

We are grateful that so many have confirmed their  dedication to providing tangible services, support, and spiritual guidance to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

Because of the unwavering support we received, this community initiative has raised nearly $15,000 to support our work so we can continue to positively impact lives by providing food security,

housing stability, supportive services and education.

The Signature Page Showcase of Support will be published in The Mercury in August.

 

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“Celebrate Service with Heart” is the theme of the upcoming You Gotta Have Heart fall FUNraising event.

SAVE THE DATE You Gotta Have HeartYou are invited to join us at our 8th annual fundraiser “You Gotta Have Heart” on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The SunnyBrook Ballroom.

“Celebrate Service” with us during an evening of fine food (dinner), awards, inspirational stories,
entertainment, FUNraising, and more! All proceeds support PCRC’s mission.

To learn more, or to become a sponsor, please contact Merri Brown: call 610.970.5995 or email mbrown@pottstowncluster.org; or visit pottstowncluster.org/yougottahaveheart.

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Get the Latest Updates Here! 

 

Pantry Particulars

Bring the Basics to our personal care pantry to help local friends and neighbors in need! We announce a new item and goal every month.

Each month, you can help us reach our goal by simply delivering donated items to our personal care pantry. You can also ask your family and friends to participate or even host a drive at your worship center, congregation, work, or school!

July’s goal is 31 sets of cleaning buckets (*cleaning supplies also appreciated) and our August goal is 31 silverware sets.

 

 

Volunteer Voices

PCRC recently welcomed Volunteer Coordinator, Anissa Jones and Communications Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Hoffman. The two will work together to strengthen the PCRC volunteer program and involve a community of volunteers who are committed to our mission. PCRC volunteers are the heart of our organization and their commitment, time, and energy are vital parts of our ability to provide services to individuals and families within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

When someone volunteers at PCRC they gain a better understanding of the community’s critical needs in relation to poverty, food security, and housing stability. Our volunteers impact local people in need, positively transform our community as a whole, and affect change as both an individual and part of the PCRC team.

As our programs grow and services reach more people, the need for more volunteers who are committed to our cause increases. We have ongoing and new volunteer opportunities available.

For more information, or to contact the volunteer coordinators, email volunteer@pottstowncluster.org. View all PCRC volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteer Coordinators

New PCRC Volunteer Coordinator team (l. to r.) Anissa Jones and Amanda Hoffman.

 

 

 

Word from PCRC’s Delegate Assembly

PCRC wants to thank the Delegate Assembly for its role in making this year’s Signature Page Showcase of Support initiative a success! We are grateful that so many have confirmed their  dedication to providing tangible services, support, and spiritual guidance to address the basic needs of persons within and beyond the Greater Pottstown area.

Because of the unwavering support we received, and the efforts of many Delegates, this community initiative has raised nearly $15,000 to support our work so we can continue to positively impact lives by providing food security, housing stability, supportive services and education.

The Signature Page Showcase of Support will be published in The Mercury in August.

Thank you Delegates for your continued hard work and support on behalf of PCRC’s mission!

 

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Everything You Need to Know Happening at PCRC

New Volunteer Opportunity: Delivery Drivers Needed in a Digital Effort to Improve Food Pantry Access

Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity that allows you be a part of a hunger-fighting solution? We are in need of volunteer delivery drivers to deliver food to homes in a digital effort to improve food pantry access.

Visiting a food pantry can be a challenge. The limited hours, the stigma, the difficulty of finding transportation, and some people’s physical disabilities all can make visiting a daunting experience.

To improve food pantry service, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities has joined MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), Advanced Living Communities (parent company of Schwenckfeld Manor, a Lansdale housing site), and the HealthSpark Foundation to connect people to food pantries via the computer. This new hunger-fighting solution mimics online grocery ordering and provides people with the option to order pantry food from a website.

Can you help? We are looking for:

  • Delivery drivers who can be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Ability to report to PCRC at 9:30 am
  • Make 2-6 food deliveries to homes in the area
  • Must have reliable vehicle (using own vehicle)
  • Ability to lift 35 lbs (loading and unloading vehicles)

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Save the Date!

“Celebrate Service with Heart” is the theme of the upcoming You Gotta Have Heart fall FUNraising event.

SAVE THE DATE You Gotta Have Heart

You are invited to join us at our 8th annual fundraiser “You Gotta Have Heart” on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The SunnyBrook Ballroom.

“Celebrate Service” with us during an evening of fine food, awards, inspirational stories, entertainment, FUNraising, and more! All proceeds support PCRC’s mission.

To learn more, or to become a sponsor, please contact Merri Brown: call 610.970.5995 or email mbrown@pottstowncluster.org; or visit pottstowncluster.org/yougottahaveheart.

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From the Executive Director

Greetings Friends,

With the eternal hope of spring right around the corner, I am excited about the initiatives sprouting up at PCRC you will read about in this issue. Because of your generous and continued support, these program enhancements are possible as we strive to serve our community in many different ways. Through collaboration with area organizations, we are strengthening what we already do to address the needs of our neighbors in ways not previously possible, taking the next step to stabilize households. Read more here.

Also in this edition, you will meet our newest Board of Directors members — Michael Cross, Matt Green, and Judy Watts — and get to know Dawn Varady, a longstanding and active Delegate Assembly member. We also bid farewell in a tribute to another faithful Delegate Assembly member, Linda Moyer. I encourage you to check out “Around PCRC” and “Events, Happenings, and Opportunities,” paying special attention to our MARCH MADNESS Cleaning Supply Challenge!

I hope you will find ways to continue to be engaged with our work and be excited to hear about the difference your support is making for those we serve. Please keep our work in your prayers and share your interest in our organization with a friend. Together, we are helping to nourish lives and strengthen families in this community, and for that I am truly grateful.

Sincerely,

Barbara Wilhelmy, LCSW
Executive Director

P.S. I encourage you to look through the enewsletter and let us know what you think in the Comments Section as well as share the newsletter with your friends and family and invite them to subscribe! (Social sharing options at the bottom)

To share your thoughts in the Comments section – scroll down

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PCRC Launches a Series of Pilot Programs in Partnership with Area Organizations

“Ending Hunger. For Good.” – PCRC Partners with Philabundance and Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties to Improve Food Security and Financial Stability

Ending Hunger. For GoodThe Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities has formed a unique partnership with Philabundance and Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware County to offer critical services and supports to decrease the number of people facing hunger in the Delaware Valley. The three organizations will collaborate through a series of pilot programs that will pair food plus other critical life services to improve food security, household, and financial stability for its clients.

Programming will offer a suite of services, including education, financial literacy, health services, housing and/or job assistance. The goal is to end the cycle of no-win decisions: Do I buy food or medicine? Heat or eat? Pay for lunch or a bus pass?

The first pilot program began in February 2019, primarily providing food, financial literacy coaching and case management, to help approach other issues, including housing challenges. To date, nine families have committed to the pilot.

Impact of the programs will be monitored and reported over time, with joint goals focused on increasing food security and other indicators of household stability, helping determine which pilots are effective and which to replicate to help end hunger for good.

Read more on Philly.com.

A Digital Effort to Improve Food Pantry Access

Montco Anti-Hunger Network logo

Visiting a food pantry can be a challenge. The limited hours, the stigma, the difficulty of finding transportation, and some people’s physical disabilities all can make visiting a daunting experience. A convenient solution to this problem is for hunger-fighting organizations to mimic online grocery ordering and provide people with the option to order pantry food from a website.

To improve food pantry service, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities has joined MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), Advanced Living Communities (parent company of Schwenckfeld Manor, a Lansdale housing site), and the HealthSpark Foundation to participate in a pilot food program that connects low-income people to food pantries via computer, a twist on online grocery ordering designed to serve low-income consumers.

In all, around 130 Montgomery County households now take advantage of the service. Read more about the program on Philly.com.

Community Volunteer Leadership Program (CVLP)

Leadership Tri-countyThe new Community Volunteer Leadership Program (CVLP), set to kick off in July, is designed to provide individuals the education and foundational skills needed to serve as volunteer leaders with a nonprofit community, such as serving on a board, or to contribute in some other way. This is a program of Leadership Tri-County, in collaboration with the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC), and funded by The HealthSpark Foundation. PCRC will be active in the education piece of the program in a series of workshops.

An ideal candidate to participate in the program would be a person with lived experience utilizing nonprofit communities and/or health and human services.

For more information, contact Jennifer O’Donnell, Director, Leadership Tri-County, at jennifer@tricountyareachamber.com.

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