Grant Reinforces North Star Initiative’s Mission
BY JEFF FALK
Within the complex world of nonprofits there exists a separate, supportive world - the world of grants.
Subsidized by philanthropic foundations, organizations and businesses, financial grants serve a very practical purpose. But also associated with grants are this connectivity piece and a very specific affirming element.
“Anytime we receive a grant it’s a communication of trust,” said Melinda Clark, who’s been the CEO of North Star Initiative (NSI) for three years. “It means that people and organizations see the importance of our mission. It means we can do amazing work for (human trafficking survivors), and they’re flourishing. It’s a vote of confidence and support for our mission.”
On Oct. 20, NSI, a Lititz-area nonprofit dedicated to assisting
individuals who have been victims of human trafficking, received a $15,000 grant for daily operations from B.J.’s Wholesale Club, which is headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., and operates a local location at 110 Centerville Road, Lancaster. The grant process, which was initiated by a local supporter and volunteer of NSI, took about four months to complete.
After B.J.’s Wholesale Club invited NSI to apply for the grant, NSI composed a formal grant proposal and submitted it, after which the request was granted.
“It’s a big part of our annual budget and a grant we haven’t gotten before,” said Clark. “To have a local tie to a national business is meaningful. I’d say that it’s larger than average. It’s a really big deal to us.”
“B.J.’s has a deep commitment to supporting families in the communities where we live and work,” said Kirk Saville, B.J.’s Wholesale Club’s
BY JEFF FALK
Everybody deserves a place to call their own. Everybody needs a home.
Servant Stage’s new home is also the nonprofit’s first. Not only are Servant Stage’s new digs a product of growth, the location is also a space where it can continue to grow.
“It’s almost hard to put into words,” said Johnathan Bauer, the founder and executive director of Servant Stage. “It hits every once
in a while. This is a home. Like, ‘Wow, this is for real.’ It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. There are a lot of firsts in this place that are really special.”
Following 12 years of serving the Lancaster County community through theater and the performing arts, Servant Stage moved into its new headquarters at 1842 William Penn Way, Lancaster, in East Lampeter Township in October. Up until that point, Servant Stage had been doing the best it could with what it had, while the mission around it was flourishing.
GRACE COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH OF MANHEIM: 1483 N. Colebrook Rd., Manheim. SUNDAYS: Adult Bible Class at 9:30am and Worship Service at 10:30am. Wednesday Evening Prayer is held from 6:30pm-7:30pm For more details, please visit http://www.gcfmanheim.org or call 717-665-7222.
HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 500 East Roseville Rd., Lancaster (off Rt. 272 / Oregon Pike). (717) 569-2651 Sunday 10 AM Worship Service, also available online. www.HighlandPC.org
HOSANNA! A FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS 29 Green Acre Rd., Lititz (717) 626-2560 Worship with us in person @ 9:30am, online or livestream @ www.hosannalititz.org Children & Youth Ministries
NEWPORT CHURCH: 656 W. Newport Road, Elm, www.newportchurch.net We are a vibrant family- oriented contemporary church that meets for Sunday “celebration” service at 9:30 a.m. and throughout the week in home groups, including junior-high and senior-high groups. Children love our Kids Town ministry every Sunday morning! Our mission is to share God’s Love generously and lead people to new life in Jesus. For info. or directions, see our Website or call 717-664-2635. Lead Pastor: Merle Shenk.
RUHL’S CHURCH: A growing church committed to Christ. Worship on Sunday morning at 8 am for a traditional feel. Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 am., 10:30 am. Worship led by praise band. (Nursery available. Handicap accessible.) For more information, please call 717-665-3400 or visit www.ruhlschurch.org Located at 4810 Elizabethtown Rd, Manheim.
ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH: 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz Ph:717-626-5580
Rev. Stephen D. Weitzel Confessions: Sat. 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm and anytime on request Daily Masses: Tues.-Fri. 9 am Saturday Vigil Mass: 4 pm Sunday Masses: 8:30 am & 10:30 am www.stjameslititz.org for livestream Masses
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Servant Stage
“It’s so nice to have our own space,” said Bauer. “It’s fun every day. It’s nice to be able to have a conversation and not have to reply to an email. Having no space for so many years, you get used to it. A lot of it was working from home. We were storing sets and props in basements, garages and barns. Efficiency is a huge part of what we do. We were doing so many shows that it wasn’t sustainable.”
Servant Stage’s new home base is eight rooms and 8,500 square feet in size, 5,000 of which is dedicated to a workshop, warehouse and storage space and 3,500 of which is being used as offices and for conferences and meetings. The space can also accommodate smaller auditions and rehearsals for the more than 15 productions and 190 performances that the organization has been staging each year.
“We have been looking and actively exploring spaces for a workshop and theater for like six or seven years now,” said Bauer. “Back in May, we came across this place in Greenfield, and our Realtor connected us with the landlord. We knew from the very first visit that it checked all of the boxes. The lease was signed in a month or so. This kind of fell into our lap.”
Prior to its recent move, Servant Stage was practicing and rehearsing for performances at Lancaster Alliance Church, at 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, not far from its new home. Depending upon the demands of each production, some of those rehearsals will continue to be conducted at the church.
“The focus of the mission is on service,” said Bauer, a resident of Strasburg. “The idea of using the performing arts and theater to serve the community, that’s been the mission from the very beginning and that’s why we chose that name. We love theater and the community, and there’s both a why and a how behind it.”
“It’s people wanting to be a part of it. We’ve seen 300 people at auditions for performances that have had 150 spots. That’s why we keep adding productions. We keep getting requests for performances. There are certainly plenty of challenges, but we haven’t gotten to a place where we’ve had to cut back on shows because we don’t have performing places.”
“(Operating our own theater) is definitely a dream as well,” added Bauer. “We would love to have a theater to do these shows. It’s still a dream down the road that would make more performances possible, but it’s one step at a time.”
Servant Stage, which is funded through freewill offerings received at performances, business partnerships, sponsorships, individual donations and grant funding, is operated by seven full-time employees, six part-timers and a host of volunteers.
For additional information, go to https://servantstage.org.
“With our mission of bringing shows into the community, we’ve been nomadic,” continued Bauer. “Everyone on the team is very flexible and good at problem-solving. We’ve been able to make it grow so much, but we’ve grown so much. The amount of programming we’re doing is growing, and our staff is growing. You need a space for it. It’s definitely long overdue.”
Servant Stage is projecting to present 20 productions for both adults and youths with more than 220 total performances in 2026. The traveling troupe’s performances will be staged at high schools, churches and retirement communities across Lancaster County.
“When you factor in all the rehearsals, it’s a lot,” said Bauer.
Ephrata Cloister to Offer Lantern Tours
Historic Ephrata Cloister will host its annual Lantern Tours on Fridays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, and Saturdays, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Tours, led by the Cloister’s Student Historians, will run every half hour beginning at 6 p.m. Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and is limited to 25 participants.
This year’s experience, “1777: When War Came to Ephrata,” will explore the winter when Ephrata’s peaceful community was transformed into a military hospital during the Revolutionary War. Participants will follow a guide
through several historic buildings, meeting various characters portrayed by the Student Historians and adult volunteers. Space is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are available at www.storepatrailsofhistory .com/2/#/Admission or in person at the Visitor Center.
Children age 2 and under will receive free admission, and discounts are available for seniors and youths.
For more information, visit www.ephratacloister.org.
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*A complete listing can be picked up at the Auction Center for $2.00 or is available with photos on our website www.horstauction.com. Online bidding available through HiBid.
North Star
head of corporate communications. “We are honored to continue supporting the organizations our team members care about most and to live our purpose of taking care of families who depend on us.”
With assistance and input from Clark, NSI development director April Miller wrote and composed the B.J.’s Wholesale Club grant application in about six hours.
To this point of 2025, NSI has applied for 13 total financial grants, five of which were approved and four of which were declined, while the status of the other four have yet to be determined. NSI is planning to apply for three more grants before the end of the year.
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are looking for.”
Grants represent about 10% of NSI’s annual operating budget. The largest source of NSI’s funding - about 50% - comes from the local community, including business donations, private donations and fundraising efforts.
Typically, the grants that NSI receives range between $3,000 and $50,000.
“There are so many grant-making entities,” said Clark, a resident of East Hempfield Township. “There are a lot of philanthropists who have some funds and are looking for specific causes. They have a heart to be generous to the causes that matter to them. It’s become competitive because there are so many nonprofits. There are always opportunities for generosity to causes that matter to you.”
**All Firearms will be sold subject to Federal & State Firearm Laws. ***Accepted Payments: Cash or PA Check. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Debit Card with 3% Fee. No Out of State Checks Without Prior Approval.
“April was primarily responsible for this B.J.’s Wholesale Club grant,” said Clark. “We want to make sure it’s a match. In B.J.’s case, we were recommended to them; they invited us to provide an extensive application of what the money would be used for. We had to be clear we were doing things that fit their purposes. By their bylaws, they have to make donations. We have to be a committed nonprofit doing good work in a cause. We want human trafficking to end. If we can show we’re truly making a difference, we’re also providing an opportunity that grant makers
for more information, call Mike J. Hess (717) 305-8767
“The grant programs are important to us, and they can come in chunks,” added Clark. “Grant funding is exciting, and it makes a difference, but a lot of grant makers don’t fund daily operations.”
With a focus on assisting survivors of human trafficking in Lancaster and Berks counties, NSI provides services like job training, an emergency shelter, restoration and continuing support of graduates. NSI employs 24 workers, seven on a full-time basis and 17 on a parttime basis, and benefits from the service of as many volunteers.
“A grant like this is really an expression of confidence,” said Clark. “This work is so crucial, and the way we do it is excellent. Anytime we receive a grant it’s affirmation. But everything we do is because of community funding. Most of our funding comes from local people. We exist because the whole community is behind us.”
For additional information, visit www.northstarinitiative.org.
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