PHOENIXVILLE, PA – In pursuit of its mission to improve the health and quality of life of people within the greater Phoenixville area, the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation awarded grants to local non-profit organizations that provide access to health and human services to the residents of the greater Phoenixville area. During the 2009-2010 operating year the Foundation contributed over $1.2 million to direct access to health care; nearly $700,000 to access to health and human services; and, more than $90,000 in support of technical assistance to the non-profit community as well as civic, social and economic development issues.

At the meeting of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 the Board of Directors authorized thirty-five grants to community organizations totaling $495,600. This round of grant awards was the last to be made during fiscal year 2009 - 2010 year that began on July 1, 2009. Level One grants that provide direct access to health care totaled $128,600 and were awarded to: The ARC of Chester County for services to children and families living within the greater Phoenixville area; Fellowship Health Resources to assist with housing support services and the new Director of Development position; Holcomb Behavioral Health System for the Life Skills Program; Open Hearth for the development of the publication of the “Help Book III”; and the Southeastern PA Autism Resource Center for general operating support.

In addition to direct health care access grants, the Foundation board was privileged to be able to provide financial assistance to non-profit organizations whose work in the greater Phoenixville area addresses health and quality of life issues for the fragile, disabled and those at risk of falling further behind socially and economically. These Level Two grants total $329,500 and were awarded to the following organizations: Chester County Futures for Phoenixville program operations; Chester County OIC for health-related training and education programs for greater Phoenixville residents; Delaware County Community College Educational Foundation for tuition assistance for residents of the Phoenixville Area School District pursuing public safety and health-related majors; Domestic Violence Center of Chester County for a Phoenixville based counselor; Dragonfly Forrest summer camp scholarships for Phoenixville-area special needs children; Family Service of Chester County for general operating support; Gateway Employment Resources for general operating support; Good Samaritan Shelter for operating support and capital expansion support; Good Works for general operating support; Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund for Phoenixville outreach services; Limerick Cornerstone Family Church of the Nazarene for the “Give and Take Outreach Program”; Ludwig’s Corner Fire Company for training for the Northern Fire Chief’s Association members; Meals on Wheels of Chester County in support of the Phoenixville Chapter; Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA for the Phoenixville Compeer Outreach Program; Mom’s House of Greater Philadelphia in support of the Phoenixville program expansion; Open Hearth in support of the Gateway Housing Assistance Program; Phoenixville Area Communities That Care for general operations; Phoenixville Area Community Services for operating and program support; Phoenixville Police Athletic League for general operating support; Phoenixville Borough Police Department for safety upgrades within the custody area of the police station; Royersford Outreach for general operating support; Stepping Stone Education Center for operating support; and the Triskeles Foundation for the “Food For Thought” program at Park Springs.

Grants for civic, recreation, community and economic development, and non-profit technical Assistance amounted to $37,500. These grants were awarded to the following organizations: Association for the Colonial Theatre for the purchase of AED equipment; ASTRAL Arts for the Community Classics Program within the greater Phoenixville area; Congresso de Latinos Unidos for outreach to the Phoenixville Latino community; Delaware Valley Grantmakers as an Operational Funding Partner; Phoenixville Area School District/Operation Focus in support of the 2010 post-prom party; and Wings For Success for general Operating Support.

In other business the Board of Directors elected officers for 2010-2011: Chair – Amy Barto, Vice Chair – Frank Cirone, Secretary – Dr. Karen Coldwell, and Treasurer – Eubank [Ted] Travis-Bey.

The mission of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation is to improve the overall health and quality of life in the greater Phoenixville community. Louis J. Beccaria, Ph.D., the Foundation’s President and CEO, noted that “These grants support this mission in that they address the physical, behavioral, social, economic and civic health of the Foundation’s community.”