Maybe you are interested in meeting some new friends. “That’s all part of what Rotaract is,” Minnick says. “We work hard on our service projects, but we also have fun, during–and after–our meetings.” They convene bi-weekly at The Hickman, located at 400 North Walnut Street. Since it is a newer organization, you will have the opportunity to help define the club and the role it plays in the community. It is a vibrant group of members who are always looking for fresh ideas about how they can improve West Chester. It is an excellent way to take that first step to getting involved in serviceoriented activities. Stockings for Soldiers is the most recently completed project. “[We] send personalized stockings to the brave men and women stationed in the Middle East,” explains Minnick. It was their third year collecting physical goods to be assembled into holiday care packages. Donations ranging from CDs, Beanie Babies and disposable cameras to the creature comforts of candy, lotion, coffee and Ramen noodles were accepted. They also hosted a fundraiser at Barnaby’s which included an open bar and buffet, with a raffle sponsored by local businesses. If you are looking beyond the basics in life, seriously consider Rotaract. Not only will you begin making a difference locally, you will have something to add to both your personal and professional dossier. As they say on their website, “the commitment is minimal, the cost is reasonable and the value you receive is priceless!”
Men of Mission
610-793-1920, firstpreswc.com/men-of-mission Another group’s value lies not only in how you can help others, but in how others can help you. “Men of Mission” (affectionately called “MOM” by its members) is, as its logo suggests, dedicated to renovation and construction projects to help both people in need and other organizations, including World Impact and Good Works Inc. Jim Serum is the founder and head of the organization. He started the group in 2003 with a couple of other men from his church, First Presbyterian of West Chester. “[We] organized to provide opportunities for members of the church and local community to serve local mission organizations and individuals that are in need of assistance,” explains Serum. “The only requirements are a desire to serve others by using your talents.” A variety of skills are needed. Painting, carpentry, electrical and plumbing skills are all useful, but so are general abilities like cleaning and basic repair. Serum wants to make it clear that Men of Mission welcomes both men and women. “We have a number of very capable women in the organization, and I always like to highlight this because I would like to increase the number of women volunteers.” One of their larger projects was the construction of a tree house for The Barn At Spring Brook Farm in 2010. Spring Brook Farm focuses on allowing children with disabilities to interact with animals and nature. Men of Mission had 34 volunteers contribute almost 850 hours to build this much-loved addition to The Barn.
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The structure makes it possible for children in wheelchairs to enjoy what many kids take for granted–to have a glimpse of the world at great heights and to hear the singing of the birds. Another gratifying element of joining the Men of Mission is the fellowship among the members. “I learned that nearly every person in our group was traveling a spiritual journey similar to my own,” says Serum. “It was a great comfort…. We became accountable to one another, to support one another and to grow together.” I am a witness to their warmth. I attended their “Friendraiser” banquet and auction last month and was greeted with openness and kindness. I arrived alone as a writer covering an event, but I left feeling accepted and appreciated by people who were, essentially, strangers.
Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children 610-431-3598, friendsassoc.org
The Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children is an invaluable resource to any family who has run into unforeseen hardships. For 189 years, Friends Association has provided essential social services for children and families. Their main goal is to help families find or maintain permanent housing and to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. They run an emergency shelter in West Chester and also run a homeless prevention program. The shelter provides homeless families with a safe, clean place to stay and helps them cope with stress and upheaval. Children and parents live together in their own apartment as Friends Association helps them stabilize, connect to other community resources and find a permanent place to live. They also work with families who are struggling to maintain their housing through financial assistance or rental subsidies. Providing immediate rental assistance can help keep a family in place, thereby avoiding the trauma of homelessness. One component of their homelessness prevention program involves supporting families who are coming from a shelter or facing eviction and homelessness. These families are assigned a case worker who meets with them to complete an individualized family service plan including education, job training, day care services and financial planning. Families are also referred to the medical, dental and counseling services they need, in addition to being supplied with furniture and household goods made possible by outside donations. Perhaps the most profound impact Friends Association has is on the children affected by circumstances beyond their control. Children in crisis often worry where they’ll sleep, and whether something bad will happen to their family. Many times they change schools, lose their friends and face the stigma of being homeless. In the worst cases, children may even be separated from their parents if a shelter or other living arrangement can’t accommodate the whole family. Friends Association can prevent these terrifying scenarios from becoming a reality. With all the services Friends Association provides, a typical family can anticipate living independently in 12 to 18 months. Friends Association will hold its annual fundraiser, the West Chester Charity Ball, on December 1, 2012 at the West Chester Country Club. Over 250 guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, auctions and other entertainment while raising money for the Friends Association housing programs. Please join in the fun! Go to www.friendsassoc.org and click on Charity Ball for more information and tickets. WCP