2019 - Recipients
New Day to Stop Trafficking Program’s Drop-in Center - December
New Day to Stop Trafficking Program’s Drop-in Center. Located on Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, the center serves women, and those who present as women, who are experiencing a combination of sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and homelessness. The women served are from Philadelphia and surrounding counties, as well as from other states and countries. Up to 120 women are served each day. The center offers a place to shower, a safe place to sit for awhile, food, social services, and exit strategies. Using a trauma-informed approach and the Sanctuary Model’s principles of nonviolence, equality, and open and honest communication, the center seeks to build rapport, to provide an environment of dignity and respect, and to walk alongside women in their unique journeys in order to leave them in a better place.
Compeer of Suburban Philadelphia - November
The Offering Outreach recipient for November is Compeer of Suburban Philadelphia. The goal of Compeer is to improve the health of people managing challenges related to mental health and addiction. Serving Delaware County, trained and caring volunteers provide one-on- one support, friendship and mentoring to individuals being actively treated for addiction and mental health issues. Compeer utilizes an evidenced-based model which improves social support, builds self-confidence, develops life skills and creates community engagement while increasing the general well-being of the participants. Participants report feeling less lonely and isolated as well as experiencing an improvement in mental health.
Feeding Thousands - October
Our recipient is Feeding Thousands. MLUC will again join with a sponsoring church, St Luke’s in Devon, to package food for people in need. The money collected during October will be used to purchase food for Feeding Thousands. Volunteers from MLUC will join with members of St Luke’s congregation and other community volunteers to prepare food packages on October 20 at St. Luke’s. This is MLUC’s third time participating. Sign up in the Atrium following any September Sunday service for a one-hour shift at St Luke’s on October 20. Have fun while volunteering for a worthy cause.
Social FUNdraising and Gatherings - September
This month’s recipient is Social FUNdraising and Gatherings (SFG), an organization founded in 2011 by a group of local suburban moms who decided to provide inner city children with educational experiences similar to those of their own children in suburban schools. They do this by raising funds through social gatherings and volunteer activities. SFG partners with three public schools in Philadelphia to address some of the educational inequities that exist in impoverished communities. They have no paid staff and work with volunteers to support staff and students in three of the most underserved schools in Philadelphia. SFG filled a school library with 80,000 books, organized and shelved the books, arranged for contributions of library furnishings, and provided volunteers to run the library. They’ve organized annual teacher/staff appreciation luncheons and school fairs, a used musical instruments drive, a school food pantry, and more.
Women’s Medical Fund - July & August
Founded in 1985, the Women‘s Medical Fund (WMF) provides emergency financial support for women living in poverty who are unable to afford an abortion.WMF believes that everyone should have access to safe abortion regardless of income or zip code. Last year, counseling, information, support, and referrals were provided to 3,273 women. In addition, 2,504 women received financial support. All were living in deep poverty, earning less than $8000 per year. Most already had one or two children at home, and 12% reported that pregnancy resulted from non-consensual sex and/or they were dealing with partner abuse.
Teach Anti Bullying - June
Founded in 2011, the purpose of Teach Anti Bullying (TAB) is to raise awareness and support families and children who are impacted by bullying issues in their school or community, and to encourage the collaboration of all stakeholders in the proactive intervention and prevention of bullying. The experience of bullying can lead to decreased school attendance and even suicidal behavior and violence. TAB conducts school assemblies for children and informational workshops for parents and communities to proactively address bullying. They also provide professional development training in bullying and violence prevention. teachantibulling.org
Interfaith Hospitality Network -May
Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHN) has been selected as the Offering Outreach recipient for May. IHN provides a caring and positive environment for homeless families while they design and implement a plan to break the cycle of homelessness in their lives. Using area congregations and the energy of several hundred community volunteers, IHN is dedicated to helping families strive for a better tomorrow. MLUC is one of ten host congregations that periodically provide homeless families with home cooked meals and a place to sleep.
Darby Creek Valley Association - April
Nominated by our Coming of Age class, The Darby Creek Valley Association (DCVA) is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of all Darby Creek Watershed’s resources, including water, wildlife, historical sites, and the floodplain. The organization works to prevent all forms of pollution in the creek and its tributaries through education, stream monitoring, advocacy, and clean up programs. The Darby Creek watershed encompasses three counties in southeastern Pennsylvania (Montgomery, Delaware, and Philadelphia), and the creek
eventually flows into the Delaware River in Tinicum, PA. The creek can be seen near MLUC at Saw Mill Park in Newtown Township, Skunk Hollow in Radnor Township, and at Waterloo Mills (Brandywine Conservancy) on Waterloo Rd near Church Rd. DVCA’s 35th Annual Clean Up event will be held on April 13 with volunteers at 40 locations. Visit dcva.org and click “events” for details.
NAMI PA Main Line - March
NAMI PA Main Line is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides information and support to people with mental health challenges and their family and friends. Services include support groups, educational events, guides to services in southeastern PA, and Family to Family – an education and support group for family members. All services are provided free of charge. NAMI Main Line served over 1,600 local individuals and their families in 2017.
Women’s Resource Center - February
The mission of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is to help women and girls successfully navigate life’s transitions and inspire others to do the same. By providing resources, tools and support for today, the organization creates hope for tomorrow. Located in Wayne, the WRC was founded in 1975. It currently provides an Information and Referral Helpline 5 days per week, family law legal consultations at 5 sites, the Ladies in Charge Program at the Domestic Abuse Project in Delaware County, the Girls Lead Program at 11 schools, and a Divorce Resource event and Divorce Support Group. Most of the women served are from Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties. They are a diverse clientele with an average age of 56. Over 70% of clients have a household income of less than $25,000. Women often contact WRC in dire straits at the end of a marriage, termination of a job, loss of a loved one, or change in health. A significant number have experienced financial abuse by a partner. The organization has a small staff and benefits from the work of 200 volunteers, including pro bono professionals who support their programs.
Radnor Township Civic Association - January
Founded in 1937 as a relief organization to serve poor and working class African Americans, the Radnor Township Civic Association (RTCA), is located on Highland Avenue in Wayne. Historically, it provided space for African American residents of the Main Line to hold weddings and events when they were not welcome elsewhere. It’s purpose is to provide needed services to the community. The building fell into disrepair, but in the last few years it has undergone extensive renovations in part as a result of contributions by several churches and volunteer work by contractors. This building renovation provides new opportunities for programs for children and seniors, as well as continued use as a community hall and venue.
New Day to Stop Trafficking Program’s Drop-in Center. Located on Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, the center serves women, and those who present as women, who are experiencing a combination of sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and homelessness. The women served are from Philadelphia and surrounding counties, as well as from other states and countries. Up to 120 women are served each day. The center offers a place to shower, a safe place to sit for awhile, food, social services, and exit strategies. Using a trauma-informed approach and the Sanctuary Model’s principles of nonviolence, equality, and open and honest communication, the center seeks to build rapport, to provide an environment of dignity and respect, and to walk alongside women in their unique journeys in order to leave them in a better place.
Compeer of Suburban Philadelphia - November
The Offering Outreach recipient for November is Compeer of Suburban Philadelphia. The goal of Compeer is to improve the health of people managing challenges related to mental health and addiction. Serving Delaware County, trained and caring volunteers provide one-on- one support, friendship and mentoring to individuals being actively treated for addiction and mental health issues. Compeer utilizes an evidenced-based model which improves social support, builds self-confidence, develops life skills and creates community engagement while increasing the general well-being of the participants. Participants report feeling less lonely and isolated as well as experiencing an improvement in mental health.
Feeding Thousands - October
Our recipient is Feeding Thousands. MLUC will again join with a sponsoring church, St Luke’s in Devon, to package food for people in need. The money collected during October will be used to purchase food for Feeding Thousands. Volunteers from MLUC will join with members of St Luke’s congregation and other community volunteers to prepare food packages on October 20 at St. Luke’s. This is MLUC’s third time participating. Sign up in the Atrium following any September Sunday service for a one-hour shift at St Luke’s on October 20. Have fun while volunteering for a worthy cause.
Social FUNdraising and Gatherings - September
This month’s recipient is Social FUNdraising and Gatherings (SFG), an organization founded in 2011 by a group of local suburban moms who decided to provide inner city children with educational experiences similar to those of their own children in suburban schools. They do this by raising funds through social gatherings and volunteer activities. SFG partners with three public schools in Philadelphia to address some of the educational inequities that exist in impoverished communities. They have no paid staff and work with volunteers to support staff and students in three of the most underserved schools in Philadelphia. SFG filled a school library with 80,000 books, organized and shelved the books, arranged for contributions of library furnishings, and provided volunteers to run the library. They’ve organized annual teacher/staff appreciation luncheons and school fairs, a used musical instruments drive, a school food pantry, and more.
Women’s Medical Fund - July & August
Founded in 1985, the Women‘s Medical Fund (WMF) provides emergency financial support for women living in poverty who are unable to afford an abortion.WMF believes that everyone should have access to safe abortion regardless of income or zip code. Last year, counseling, information, support, and referrals were provided to 3,273 women. In addition, 2,504 women received financial support. All were living in deep poverty, earning less than $8000 per year. Most already had one or two children at home, and 12% reported that pregnancy resulted from non-consensual sex and/or they were dealing with partner abuse.
Teach Anti Bullying - June
Founded in 2011, the purpose of Teach Anti Bullying (TAB) is to raise awareness and support families and children who are impacted by bullying issues in their school or community, and to encourage the collaboration of all stakeholders in the proactive intervention and prevention of bullying. The experience of bullying can lead to decreased school attendance and even suicidal behavior and violence. TAB conducts school assemblies for children and informational workshops for parents and communities to proactively address bullying. They also provide professional development training in bullying and violence prevention. teachantibulling.org
Interfaith Hospitality Network -May
Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHN) has been selected as the Offering Outreach recipient for May. IHN provides a caring and positive environment for homeless families while they design and implement a plan to break the cycle of homelessness in their lives. Using area congregations and the energy of several hundred community volunteers, IHN is dedicated to helping families strive for a better tomorrow. MLUC is one of ten host congregations that periodically provide homeless families with home cooked meals and a place to sleep.
Darby Creek Valley Association - April
Nominated by our Coming of Age class, The Darby Creek Valley Association (DCVA) is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of all Darby Creek Watershed’s resources, including water, wildlife, historical sites, and the floodplain. The organization works to prevent all forms of pollution in the creek and its tributaries through education, stream monitoring, advocacy, and clean up programs. The Darby Creek watershed encompasses three counties in southeastern Pennsylvania (Montgomery, Delaware, and Philadelphia), and the creek
eventually flows into the Delaware River in Tinicum, PA. The creek can be seen near MLUC at Saw Mill Park in Newtown Township, Skunk Hollow in Radnor Township, and at Waterloo Mills (Brandywine Conservancy) on Waterloo Rd near Church Rd. DVCA’s 35th Annual Clean Up event will be held on April 13 with volunteers at 40 locations. Visit dcva.org and click “events” for details.
NAMI PA Main Line - March
NAMI PA Main Line is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides information and support to people with mental health challenges and their family and friends. Services include support groups, educational events, guides to services in southeastern PA, and Family to Family – an education and support group for family members. All services are provided free of charge. NAMI Main Line served over 1,600 local individuals and their families in 2017.
Women’s Resource Center - February
The mission of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is to help women and girls successfully navigate life’s transitions and inspire others to do the same. By providing resources, tools and support for today, the organization creates hope for tomorrow. Located in Wayne, the WRC was founded in 1975. It currently provides an Information and Referral Helpline 5 days per week, family law legal consultations at 5 sites, the Ladies in Charge Program at the Domestic Abuse Project in Delaware County, the Girls Lead Program at 11 schools, and a Divorce Resource event and Divorce Support Group. Most of the women served are from Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties. They are a diverse clientele with an average age of 56. Over 70% of clients have a household income of less than $25,000. Women often contact WRC in dire straits at the end of a marriage, termination of a job, loss of a loved one, or change in health. A significant number have experienced financial abuse by a partner. The organization has a small staff and benefits from the work of 200 volunteers, including pro bono professionals who support their programs.
Radnor Township Civic Association - January
Founded in 1937 as a relief organization to serve poor and working class African Americans, the Radnor Township Civic Association (RTCA), is located on Highland Avenue in Wayne. Historically, it provided space for African American residents of the Main Line to hold weddings and events when they were not welcome elsewhere. It’s purpose is to provide needed services to the community. The building fell into disrepair, but in the last few years it has undergone extensive renovations in part as a result of contributions by several churches and volunteer work by contractors. This building renovation provides new opportunities for programs for children and seniors, as well as continued use as a community hall and venue.