MEDIA — The Foundation for Delaware County recently announced the Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE) has received a $100,000 grant from Boeing Philadelphia.
The HOPE program addresses immediate and systemic barriers to healthy housing for clients in the Foundation’s public health programs.
“At Boeing, we are committed to innovating and investing in efforts that build, enhance and contribute to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Michele Hengey, Boeing Community Investor for Delaware County. “Our partnership with The Foundation for Delaware County’s HOPE program is a formidable effort to provide housing stability for underserved areas in our community. We are proud to continue our efforts with the HOPE program to help provide safe, stable and affordable housing, which ultimately leads to better health and equity in Delaware County.”
According to HOPE Program Director Jordan Casey, “Low-income families in Delaware County deserve to live in safe, quality housing. Many of the families we assist have a history of unstable housing and frequently struggle to maintain that stability due to various co-occurring issues. Boeing recognizes the importance of safe, healthy, stable housing for people in Delaware County and we are grateful to them for this partnership which will positively impact so many in our community.”
Casey went on to note that housing is a key social determinant of health, and critically important to the health and well-being of Delaware County residents. HOPE provides direct financial assistance, housing education, and support to participants enabling them to maintain stable housing, achieve financial stability, and build strong futures for themselves and their families.
Staff members also engage in advocacy to address the underlying systemic barriers to healthy permanent housing. They serve as a convener for organizations in the county working on housing issues to build a more equitable housing system in Delaware County.
Safe housing, devoid of physical and environmental hazards, is essential for good health. When families are dealing with a leaky roof, mold in their home or rent insecurity, it can be impossible to focus on a healthy pregnancy and other family demands. Families facing unstable housing are also less likely to have enough food, invest in their children’s education, and seek medical care, officials said.
According to county health rankings, Delaware County has the fifth highest rate of severe housing problems among counties in Pennsylvania and the fourth highest rate of severe housing cost burdens:
• 16% of Delaware County households experience at least one of these housing problems: overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen or plumbing facilities.
• 15% of households spend 50% or more of their household income on housing.
While housing insecurity and conditions were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequities associated with healthful affordable housing are not new and will certainly persist if systemic improvements are not made now.
To learn more about HOPE, visit https://bit.ly/3UYPA3F
The Foundation for Delaware County, founded in 2016, is the largest philanthropy serving Delaware County. One of 780 community foundations across the U.S., the foundation encourages philanthropy by providing efficient giving vehicles like donor-advised funds, gift annuities, and estate planning advice to generous individuals who want to have an impact in Delaware County and beyond.
In April, the foundation awarded more than $1.8 million in Impact Grants to area nonprofits. In addition, the foundation operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to strengthen Delaware County’s nonprofit community.
With headquarters in Media and service sites in Eddystone, Upper Darby and Springfield, the foundation also operates Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, and Nurse-Family Partnership. In addition to HOPE, other programs include El Centro, a Latino resource center, and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District.
To learn more, visit http://www.delcofoundation.org/.
Free Thanksgiving dinners at Access Community Center
The Access Community Center, 701 Booth St., Chester, is offering a complimentary hot Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 17. There will be two seatings available: 1 and 3:30 p.m.
Free takeout Thanksgiving dinners will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the center.
Tickets, although free, are required for both dates. To get tickets, call the center at 445-252-1084.
Chester Eastside needs help to prepare Thanksgiving dinners
Chester Eastside is in urgent need of trimmings for their turkey dinner giveaway.
It has 250 turkeys ready to give away, plus the families that need them are already signed up.
However, Chester Eastside needs donations of the items that will go with the turkeys, such as foil pans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, vegetables of all kinds, muffins or dinner rolls and pies. Gift cards to supermarkets are always appreciated, so the turkey team can buy the items most needed.
Donations can be dropped off at the last door in the parking lot at St. Paul’s Church, Ninth and Melrose streets, Chester, or at Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2 Sylvan Ave., at any time through Nov 20, when the dinners will be distributed.
Chester Eastside Inc. works to help children and families by providing access to hunger safety net programs and a safe environment for adult and youth education.
Its mission is to be a welcoming and inclusive community that enables individuals of all ages to achieve their goals and aspirations, promoting a peaceful co-existence in Chester through advocacy and programs for education, social services and justice. For more information, visit https://ceichester.org/. To reach Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church, call 610-544-1493.
St. James alum establishes scholarship for namesake school
St. James Regional Catholic School in Ridley Park announced the establishment of a scholarship this week that will honor the memory of William J. Bridy, a retired AirForce major and a 1963 graduate of St. James High School in Chester.
After touring St. James Regional, Bridy’s widow, Nancy, and their daughter Terri determined that they wanted to honor the lifelong generosity of Bill Bridy and his fond memories of St. James High School with a meaningful tuition assistance gift to be awarded each year over a 10-year period.
The scholarship will be awarded to a student in need who has demonstrated an interest in the STEM subjects. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2023. For more information, visit https://stjamesregional.com/.
PHestivaL of Trees raises funds for local animal shelters and rescues
Five local animal rescues are again joining together for a two-day PHestivaL of Trees at King of Prussia Mall, to get into the holiday spirit and raise funds for local animal shelters.
The third annual PHestivaL is a holiday-themed family experience featuring uniquely decorated holiday trees, adoptable rescue pets, and of course Santa to be held in the pavilion section at the mall on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4.
Last year, more than 150 trees were decorated and sold to generate $48,000, distributed among eight local animal rescues.
Each of the rescues ended up receiving $6,000, which for some allowed them to double their operating budget.
The trees will be decorated by individuals, businesses, and organizations with the goal to raise more funds for the animal rescue partners through increased attendance and engagement. This is something for adults and children; the adoptable rescue pets from the local shelters and rescues are the event stars.
The five animal rescues joining together this year include: Hart 2 Heart, Finding Shelter Animal Rescue, Senior Dog Haven and Hospice, Lucky You, and Animal House Project.
In addition to Acme Markets, PHestivaL of Trees has new partners this year — United Healthcare, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates and Planet Fitness — who value its mission to support local animal rescues and shelters.
More details can be found at http://PHestivaLofTrees.com/
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
