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Representatives of Project W, a Delaware County-based women’s giving circle and a program of The Community’s Foundation, and members of groups that were awarded a total of $72,500 in grants by Project W at the awards ceremony. (COURTESY OF PROJECT W)
Project W, a Delaware County-based women’s giving circle and a program of The Community’s Foundation, recently awarded $72,500 in grants to four local nonprofits at its annual meeting.
The mission of Project W is to enhance and improve the quality of life for women in Delaware County, through collective giving, the foundation said.
The recipients were:
• The $35,000 awardee is Family Support Line. The mission of FSL is to advance the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Its continuum of services helps children and families get the help they need to be safe, heal, break the cycle of abuse, and thrive. It also helps ensure that professionals who work with children and families have the support, training, and resources they need to recognize and respond to allegations of abuse. FSL will focus its Project W grant toward funding the purchase of security system (to ensure the safety, security and confidentiality of its clients and staff), as well as installation and training.
• Maternity Care Coalition was awarded a $15,000 grant. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families and enhance school readiness for children from birth through age three. Funds will be spent to operate a range of much-needed direct service programs for underserved women and their families in Delaware County.
• I-LEAD Inc. (Education Focus Area) received a $15,000 grant. I-LEAD Inc.’s mission is to liberate human potential in challenged communities, to strengthen leadership and create breakthrough learning via innovative curriculum, access to higher education and charter schools. The organization will use its Project W grant to support recruitment and retention efforts for its flagship program, Achieve College Education, which supports primarily African-American working mothers to earn an associate degree.
• Chester Community Coalition (Small Grants Focus Area) was awarded a $7,500 grant, which will be directed toward mental help counseling and grief support therapy sessions for women impacted by gun violence either personally or through a family member. CCC is a not-for-profit social impact and mental health organization led by women and serves women in the City of Chester and Delaware County.
In the five years since its inception, Project W’s membership has grown by almost 150%, from 64 members in 2019 to 159 members in 2023. Collectively, Project W members have donated more than $350,000 in grants and donations to organizations supporting women and their families in our region, the group says.
Project W was founded 2019, when a small group of community-minded women were looking for a way to improve the lives of women in Delaware County. Their intention was to create a women’s giving circle where members pool resources, collectively explore the community’s needs, and then decide together how to distribute resources for maximum impact, the group says.
Darby swears in police officer
Officer Mario Colucci was sworn as a Darby police during ceremonies Wednesday night after a borough council meeting.
Delaware County unveils summer cooling program
Delaware County Council on Wednesday, the first day of summer, joined the County’s Office of Services for the Aging and
PECO on June 21 to announce the County’s 2023 Heat Plan and plans to distribute cooling fans to residents in need.
COSA and the county Office of Adult and Family Services offer assistance to elderly and vulnerable residents throughout the summer.
Several county programs are in place to help residents cope with hot weather and humidity which can cause dehydration and other health complications, the county said.
“While many of us enjoy the sunshine and the warmer weather during the summer months, the heat can be dangerous, especially for our vulnerable and older residents, and also our pets,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “The county’s heat plan details some precautions we can take, resources available, and also includes reminders to check in on loved ones and neighbors.”
Residents are encouraged to visit the county’s website to read the 2023 Heat Plan and learn about the resources the county provides during the summer season, a press release stated.
Residents should also educate themselves on precautions during heat waves and high humidity and check in with elderly and disabled family members and neighbors who are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses, the county advised.
A 24-hour emergency line is active through the summer at 610-872-1558. The information line provides weekly heat safety tips and reminders, emergency information, and locations where people can seek relief from the heat.
Cooling fans, home checks on vulnerable residents, access to transportation, and other resources are also available to residents during extreme temperatures. Many air-conditioned senior centers in the county have extended hours during a heat wave. Residents should check with their senior center to find updated days and hours, the county said.
Each year, COSA purchases cooling fans to distribute to residents in need. In addition, PECO donates fans as part of PECO’s Summer Fan Distribution Program. PECO donates 500 fans each year through local organizations across southeastern Pennsylvania.
The fans will be distributed to seniors in need. For more information: 610-872-1558. Residents can also call their local senior center
to learn how to receive a fan.
The full 2023 Heat Plan can be found at https://delcopa.gov/pdf/2023HeatPlan.pdf.
Chester Charter students get taste of Neumann life
More than 25 juniors from Chester Charter Scholars Academy got a sample of college life at Neumann University this week, as part of their participation in the Philadelphia Union Foundation’s iAM Project, Neuman said.
According to Neumann, the students slept in the dorms and ate in the dining hall. They explored the 133-acre campus and learned from faculty and students about the various majors offered at the university.
They toured athletic facilities, visited the esports lab, and got hands-on experience in the radio and television studios.
Employees from Lincoln Financial Group also discussed their own career journeys with the group.
The overnight college experience, said Neumann, is a key piece of programming for the iAM Project, which connects students from the Academy with some of the region’s largest companies, as well as a network of speakers, mentors, universities, and internships — all designed to help the students reach their personal, academic, and professional potential.
“Deciding what to do after high school is a major decision and there are many paths our scholars could choose, whether that’s moving on to college, going to a trade school, selecting an apprenticeship or entering the workforce,” said Paul Howard, executive director of the Philadelphia Union Foundation.
This is the second time Neumann has hosted iAM Project scholars.
“It’s truly our pleasure to host these students on our campus,” said Dr. Eric Wellington, dean of the School of Business. “We hope that sharing the breadth of the majors and programs we offer at Neumann can inspire these talented and motivated students, so they can picture themselves at a university and ultimately in a successful career.”
The iAM Project is supported through partnerships with Bimbo Bakeries USA, The Boeing Co., the Durant Family Foundation, Language Services Associates, Lincoln Financial Group, Neumann University, and WSFS Bank.
Foundation website: www.philadelphiaunion.com/foundation. Neumann website: www.neumann.edu.
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