To improve the health and quality of life for people in the greater Phoenixville region by increasing access to quality health care services and promoting healthy communities through grantmaking and collaboration with health, civic, business and community partners.

Community Health

Leadership Academy

CLASS OF 2016:

l/r: Lisa Westfall, Melinda Izzo, Jeanne Schanzenbach,

Cailin Coolbaugh, Victoria O'Neill, Terry Hall, Erica Murphy,

Erica Klinedinst and not pictured, Kristen McGee

The Community Health Leadership Academy was designed, and is implemented, by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation.  In the weeks between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, the students learned about diversity, ethics, citizenship, project management, planning, and public speaking all while developing an individual community service project. Some of the needs that the students wanted to address during this program include the rehabilitation of a beloved school, to diet, nutrition and exercise, to reading and education, to overcoming personal challenges and fresh starts.

The Leadership Academy was founded on the belief that the more people get involved in the community for the purpose of positive change, the stronger and healthier the community will be. 89% of the students reported they have seen a change in the way they navigate professional and personal situations. One student said: “Beyond the good ideas, information and skill sets to develop, it was wonderful sharing a table and learning experience with eight amazing, talented, smart and inspirational women who I may have not otherwise have had a chance to know”.

The following African Proverb exemplifies the Community Health Leadership Academy: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

L/r: Jack Hall, Marilyn Pennapacker, Mary Ann Bursich, Russ Herrick

What does it take to become a Champion of the Community?  It takes a long term commitment to volunteerism for the betterment of the greater Phoenixville region. The Phoenixville area has a great tradition of community giving. Five individuals, who exemplify such a giving spirit, were honored by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation as “Champions of the Community” for 2015.

The Champions of the Community Award Program was created by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation sixteen years ago, to honor area citizens who freely give their time, talents and resources to make our greater Phoenixville communities better places to live, to work, and to raise a family. Since that time 72 people have been recognized as community champions  and nearly 185 individuals have been nominated for the award.

This year twelve nominations were received from within the greater Phoenixville area. An independent selection committee, facilitated by Lynn Pike Hartman the Foundation’s Vice President for Program, gave consideration to each nominee and chose four as the 2016 Champions of the Community. As a part of their award, each Champion received a $2,000 donation, made in their name, to the charities of their choosing.  These Champions, as well as all the nominees, were honored at a luncheon on November 30^th, held at the Phoenixville Country Club.

The 2016 Champions of the Community are:

Mary Ann Bursich for nearly thirty years of service to St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter, St. Basil’s Church, and Phoenixville Women’s Outreach. Mrs. Bursich requested her Champion Award be given to St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter.

Jack Hall was nominated for committing his life to creating relationships, personal sacrifices for his neighbors, overcoming setbacks, and providing a moral compass to the community. Mr. Hall requested his Champions Award be divided among Phoenixville Area Community Services, Citizen Advocacy, The Association for the Colonial Theatre, and the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation.

Russ Herrick was nominated for his volunteer commitment to Good Works, Inc., the past ten years as volunteer operations director for the Phoenixville program. Mr. Herrick requested his Champion Award be granted to the Good Works, Inc.

Marilyn Pennapacker was nominated for more than 60 years of service to the greater Phoenixville region through the Phoenixville Hospital Thrift Shop, the Center for Loss and Bereavement, and St, James Episcopal Church in Collegeville. Mrs. Pennapacker has requested he Champion Award be granted to Anne’s Heart.

Other Champion nominees honored were: Erick DeRouanna, Amanade Gooding, Reverend Jack Mason, Virginia Murphy, Hames Reading, Steven Rock, Sr., Merylene Szabo and Bernie Wolf.

The 2016 Champions of the Community Selection Committee were: Chuck Benz, John Colarusso, Lauren Eustis, Anna Mae Galbraith, David Gill, Richard Kunsch, Sr., and Dolores Winston.

If you would like to visit the Military and Family Support Initiative website please click here.