Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JANUARY 3, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 2
SEEDS branches out BY ANN MEAD ASH
S
EEDS, a Conestoga Valley School Distr ict (CVSD) nonprofit focused on education, health care, and housing, celebrated one year of existence in October of 2023. The organization is growing rapidly, as evidenced by its English Language Development classes held at Faith Church and myriad upcoming events and programs. SEEDS is also happy to announce the hiring of its first employees - co-directors Michele Kime and Kristen Hershey. Michele, director of communication and programs, has pastored a local church along with her husband, Joel, for the past 20 years. Previously, Michele used her college education in intercultural studies to help found an organization that created jobs for survivors of trafficking in Cambodia. She has also taught English at Stroopies. She is excited to continue to grow and learn about CV and help to create
new opportunities for residents. Not only is Kristen, director of creative hospitality, a Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) graduate, but her husband, Brandon, is a CVHS teacher. Kristen has a degree in elementary education, and she has worked in preschools and run a dance studio. She has also worked as an office manager and photographer. Kristen looks forward to serving SEEDS as the organization partners with local businesses. Each Thursday from Feb. 8 through March 28, SEEDS will partner with CCARS (Community Care and Addiction Recovery Services) for a support program for family members of those str ug gling with addictions. The program, which is open to families living in CVSD, will be held at Conestoga Church of the Brethren, 141 E. Main St., Leola. The group is limited to 12 men and 12 women. “Under the three pillars of housing, health, and education, this would fall
under health and mental health,” said Kime. More information is available at https://seedscv.com /health-services. In March, SEEDS will partner with occupational therapists from Elizabethtown College to host play groups at Faith Church, 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. The dates and times for the eight-week session are yet to be determined. Participants of the English development classes will take part. The program will be open to up to eight children age 3 and under and their parents. Kristen said the group will focus on interactive play that introduces reading and math skills to help children prepare for school and to build community for the families. The fourth SEEDS session of English Language Development classes will be held in May, but SEEDS has decided to hold bridge classes over the winter that will focus on specific topics to help learners become more familiar
Michele Kime (left) and Kristen Hershey are the new co-directors of
See SEEDS pg 2 SEEDS.
Don’t distract the dog!
Lunch business
BY ANN MEAD ASH
It started with a Facebook post that alerted readers as to what to do if approached by a lone dog in a service vest. The post advised following the dog because the canine’s person might be in trouble. W hile the advice seemed reasonable, suspicion of such posts alerted this feature writer to seek an opinion from the staff of United Disabilities Ser vices (UDS) service dog program. Puppy coordinator Kristy
CV life skills class serves up meals
Conrad confirmed that the advice is good. “If a service dog is separated from their person, that should be a reason for concern,” she stated. “If (the dog) turns around to take you, you should follow because the person could be in trouble,” added service dog program manager Lori Breece. These answers led to discussion of general service dog etiquette that respects the dog’s owner or handler - things we should all be aware of when we see a dog working in public. UDS See UDS pg 3
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) staff member Jeane Miller proudly displays a group of lunch bags with brightly colored pictures drawn on them in her workspace. “(Tuesday) is my favorite day of the week,” said Miller. “These are all my lunch bags.” Miller’s brown bags were collected when she ordered lunches at the Community Café organized and run by the CVHS life skills class. Kathryn O’Dell, public relations
Working the counter at the Conestoga Valley High School Community
See CVHS pg 4 Café are (from left) Destiny, Derek, Nathaniel, and Maddie.
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Service animal etiquette shared