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PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of December 7, 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).
Student Art Show Coatesville.
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.
Caregivers Holiday Celebration New Holland.
Community Caf Dinner/Luncheon West Grove.
Job-Seeker Skills Workshop Exton.
Pardons and Expungements Workshop Coatesville.
Family Literacy Night Pottstown.
Ringing Hills Chorus Concert Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Miracle on 34th Street Family Movie and Pot Luck Dijnner West Grove.
Pictures with Santa Boyertown.
Live Nativity and Concert New Holland.
Community Holiday Party Kennett Square.
Vision Assistance Presentation New Holland.
Candlelight Christmas Concerts Wayne.
Holiday Celebration West Chester.
Holiday Historic District Tour Coatesville.
Country Christmas Oxford.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Concerts New Holland.
Christmas in Birdsboro Celebration Birdsboro.
Christmas Party Spring City.
Train Room Open House New Holland.
Good Neighbors Christmas Parade Downingtown.
Live Nativity Kennett Square (Unionville).
Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events)
American Revolution History Events King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Student Art Show Coatesville.
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.

-3-

PA CareerLink and Job Search Services Area Counties.

Fall Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries.
Holidays in Adoption Support Oxford.
Guitar/Vocal Concert Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner).
Charles Dickens and Christmas Author Discussion KennettSquare.
Christmas Cantata Paoli.
Investing Presentation Phoenixville.
Its a Wonderful Life Advent Movie and Pot-Luck Dinner West Grove.
Must Knows for Parents with Special Needs West Chester.
Is Food Addictive? Presentation Phoenixville.
Continental Army March-in King of Prussia (Valley Forge).
Train Room Open House New Holland.
Brass Concert New Holland.

New: Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events)

Winter Begins North America.
Youth Water Safety Lessons 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.

NEW THIS WEEK: Chesco RoadMAPP to Health Improvement Plan Revealed

Chester County RoadMAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships) to
Health has unveiled to health and human services providers its community-driven strategic
planning tool for improving community health.
The three-year effort, presented at a December 5 gathering at the
Government Services Center in West Chester, is designed to create a
vision, conduct assessments, identify strategic issues, and formulate
goals and strategies.
The plan's goal is "to better serve the people of Chester County by
collaborating with organizations that take action, make an impact, and
work to improve health and quality of life throughout the county", with
a vision of becoming "a community where partners assure conditions in which individuals
can be healthy and individuals are empowered to manager their own lives".
Implementation strategies havent yet been developed.
General RoadMAPP information is available at
http://webapps.chesco.org/webapps/health/cha/home.html.
The presented plan is available at www.scribd.com/doc/249556447/RoadMAPP-Plan-Dec-52014 and the accompanying presentation at www.scribd.com/doc/249556555/RoadMAPPPresentation-Dec-5-2014.

-4-

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment for January
- Ends Monday, December 15; Healthy PA Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Opens
Individuals seeking new coverage starting January 1 under the Affordable Care Act Health
Insurance Marketplace must enroll by December 15. Open
enrollment will continue, however, for both new enrollees and
those changing insurance plans through Sunday, February 15.
Insurance recipients are encouraged to check their current plans
to determine whether they are the best policies and prices for
individual needs during the new year of coverage.
A one-page assistance guide to open enrollment, which ends
Sunday, February 15, appears at
https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/one-page-guide-to-themarketplace.
Free enrollment and counseling assistance is available from a host
of certified organizations, with a searchable database along with a
toll-free telephone service available at
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.
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, available at www.extension.psu.edu/health/insurance.
In the meantime, Healthy PA enrollment has started for more than
500,000 low-income Pennsylvanians now eligible for a Medicaid
expansion program, although the program, itself, may be increased again
after the first of the year when a new state administration assumes
office.
Healthy PA provides access to health care coverage through a private coverage option to
uninsured adults between the ages of 21 to 64 who are below 133% of the Federal Poverty
Level, general examples being $15,528 for a single person and $31,728 for a family of four.
Additional information and a link to an online application are available at
http://www.healthypa.com.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Consumer Information Available on Charitable Donations

As year-end charitable solicitations and giving intensifies, a consumer information guide on
how Pennsylvania residents can make the most of their charitable gifts is available at
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/charities/12444/information_for_co
nsumers/571849, with a searchable nonprofit database of registered charities at
http://www.charities.pa.gov.
Organizations that are registered with the state may not have federal Internal Revenue
Service charitable organization status that allows individuals to receive a tax deduction for
charitable gifts on their income tax returns. A database of IRS designated charities is
available at http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Search-for-Charities.

-5-

GuideStar, a nonprofit organization, also provides a database of charitable organizations,

including tax returns that have been filed, at http://www.guidestar.org.

NEW LAST WEEK: Montgomery County Offering Free Flu Shots at County Clinics
December
Montgomery County Health Department is offering free flu shots for ages six months and
older at its Health Center sites in Pottstown, Norristown and Willow Grove during December.
The schedule is available at http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=1187 or (610) 2785117.

NEW LAST WEEK: Pottstown Receives Additional Pre-K Student Funding

Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten (PEAK) Pre-K Counts has obtained funding to
provide additional full-day pre-kindergarten enrollment at six community partner sites.
Eligible students for the six and a half hour daily classes are three or four-year-olds by
September 1 residing in the Pottstown School District with a family income at or below
250% of federal poverty levels, for example $59,625 for a family of four.
Further information is available at
www.pottstownschools.com/pottstown/In%20the%20Spotlight2/FREE%20PreK%20Full%20Day%20Classes%20Available%20Through%20PEAK%20PreK%20Counts.jpg/_top or (610) 970-6655.

NEW LAST WEEK: Drug Overdose Assistance Legislation Take Effect

Pennsylvania now allows first responders -- law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS -- or other
organizations acting at the direction of a health care professional authorized to prescribe
naloxone, known as Narcan, to administer the drug to individuals experiencing an opioid
overdose.
Individuals such as friends or family members in a position to assist a person at risk of
experiencing an opioid related overdose also may receive a prescription for naloxone. The
law also provides immunity from prosecution for those responding to and reporting
overdoses.
New legislation is in response to a high numbers of individuals overdosing from drugs and
being left by persons they are with who fear prosecution or aren't sure what to do, along
with the critical time factor in obtaining assistance for those who have overdosed.
Further information from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs about
the legislation and conditions of use is available at
http://www.ddap.pa.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1938383&mode=2.
A fact sheet on other individual assistance that can be provided is available at
https://www.overdosefreepa.pitt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Naloxone_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

-6-

NEW LAST WEEK: Staying Safe and Protecting Oneself During the Holiday Season
The U.S. Fire Administration is providing holiday fire safety tips through
a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfuSO6cMPYM, with
additional tips available at http:/
www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/holiday.html, from the
American Red Cross at
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/mi/lansing/Red-Cross-IssuesSafety-Tips-to-Prevent-Holiday-Home-Fires, and the National Fire
Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-andstatistics/fire-causes/holiday/christmas-tree-and-holiday-lights.
The Federal Trade Commission also provides some tips on how to
protect yourself and avoid hassles when shopping online at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w4t1dYCayM&list=PLrcvzEeHM66sw9_kqYzxIDy_MJ3I
prUbI&index=10, with the The National Crime Prevention Council providing a series of
awareness tips to help keep oneself and children safe during general shopping at
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/parents/safe-shopping and
http://www.ncpc.org/about/news/safety-first-holiday-safety-tips-for-last-minuteshoppers/?searchterm=shopping.
And, here is information on How Not to Blow Your Budget:
http://blog.usa.gov/post/103638741577/holiday-spending-how-not-to-blow-your-budget.

NEW LAST WEEK: Free Credit Reports Available

Consumers can obtain a free copy of his or her credit reports annually from Equifax,
TransUnion and Experian, the three primary national credit reporting organizations.
Incorrect information can impact one's ability to obtain credit, employment and more.
A quick Federal Trade Commission video that explains the service and provides the website
and contact telephone number is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXgMLpc7ivE&list=PLrcvzEeHM66sw9_kqYzxIDy_MJ3Ip
rUbI&index=13.

Phoenixville Library Expands Job-Seeker Assistance

Phoenixville Public Library is providing a free weekly support group and individual jobseeker assistance for those who are unemployed and
underemployed, expanding already significant services
available to job-seekers.
The free Wednesday support group led by Les Segarnick,
a professional recruiter and job coach, meets from
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Harrop Room of the
library, located at 183 Second Avenue.
The one-on-one appointments are being held at noon,
1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays 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.

-7-

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.

NEW THIS WEEK: Pennsylvania Reduces Multi-Year Fishing Licenses

Ends Wednesday, December 31
For the first time in history the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has reduced
for the month the price of a three-year fishing license by $3 and a five-year license by $5.
Further information is available at http://fishandboat.com/newsreleases/2014press/cybermonday.htm?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2ffishand
boat.com%2fnewsreleases%2f2014press%2fcybermonday.htm&utm_campaign=Reduced+Fishing+Licenses+Available+Throughout+the+Mont
h+of+December, regional PFBC and county treasurers offices, and some 900 issuing
agents.

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)
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

-8-

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.
In December, no meeting will be held. Further information is available from Laurie Szoke
at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500.
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 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/2014-meetings,
blllink@mail.com or (717) 380-9714.
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.
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. In December, no meeting will be held.
Further information is available from Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610)
380-7111 x16.
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. In December, no meeting will be held. Additional information
about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 7929282 x201 or debbie.openhearth@verizon.net.

-9-

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
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. On December 11, Leigh Ann
Ranieri, director of school district Pupil Services will discuss results of the 2013
Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS). 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. Lunch is provided, with
further information and registration available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 4589090 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

- 10 -

Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from
George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947.

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.
Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, in the
Parish Meeting Room Rear of the School Property, St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor
Avenue (Route 322). On December 9, starting at 6:30 p.m., the organizations
annual Christmas Party, including dinner, will be held for all affiliate members,
families and guests. 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 December 17, Cheryl Spaulding, president of Josephs People, will
discuss the organizations history and assistance to job-seekers. 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.

UPDATED LAST WEEK: Free Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job
Openings Report - December
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.

- 11 -

These trainings include an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer.

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/21292.
Monthly job openings list that lists several pages in the Chester County area is available at
http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/21299. 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

LIHEAP Heating Assistance Program Underway

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 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.

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.

- 12 -

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

- 14 -

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.

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.