Charitable Giving:
Donations
We accept donations to cover community expenses. In addition, each month as a community, we donate to a
501(c)3 charity. When you give, you can designate your gift to the community, the charity of the month, or
split between the two with a notation on your check. Charities include local, national and international
organizations.For more information please use the contact us page. Thank you.
August 2023-Dawn's Place
Dawn's Place is the charity for the month of August. Dawn's Place is a residential trauma recovery safe house
for female survivors of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. Sister Terry Shields was one of the
founders in 2007.
July 2023-Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary in Liberia, West Africa
Please visit https://www.mshr.org/ for information or contact us for more details.
June 2023-Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests
Begun in 1988 by clergy abuse survivor Barbara Blaine, SNAP is the oldest, largest self-help group for clergy abuse victims
assaulted by priests, ministers, nuns, or rabbis. Through a network of hundreds of volunteers, SNAP provides support and
assistance through phone calls, support groups, and referrals to resources. Whether it is a call to the Helpline or participating
in SNAP’s virtual or in-person support groups, help is there. SNAP also works to protect children and the vulnerable by
exposing predators and their enablers and advocating for stronger laws. SNAP now has leaders in Japan, New Zealand, Europe,
Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa, as well as Canada and Australia. Judy Miller is our community sponsor. The web site is
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
snapnetwork.org
May 2023-Kay Lasante Clinic- Haiti
Our May charity is the Kay Lasante Clinic in Haiti. This is a community run health project in Port au Prince, Haiti. Kay
Lasante was founded by the St. Claire Parish Community in Haiti and the House of Grace Catholic Worker in
Philadelphia together with Bishop Tom Gumbleton, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, Michigan. The clinic structure
and strategy is inspired by the Partners In Health Model of training and engaging community health workers.
April 2023-Chester Community Coalition
Our April charity is the Chester Community Coalition (CCC), whose mission is to heal the psychological and emotional impact of
homicide and reduce trauma-related reactive violence. The Chester Community Coalition provides trauma-informed support
services to families directly affected by gun violence throughout Chester, PA, and Delaware County, PA.
CCC's website is https://www.chestercommunitycoalition.org
March 2023-Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica
In Kingston, Jamaica, the Missionaries of the Poor operate multiple projects and facilities serving hundreds of orphans,
malnourished children, distressed mothers and babies, the elderly, mentally and physically disabled young women and those
suffering with AIDS. In addition to residential facilities, the Brothers provide community outreach including:
- Weekly food packages to more than 200 hungry people in the slums;
- Occasional distribution of chickens, clothes, biscuits and bananas to thousands to the ghettoes of Central Kingston;
- Night shelter that provides supper, shower, bed and breakfast to more than 40 street people;
- Free medical care;
- Repair and building of houses in the ghettos;
- House visitations; and
- Counseling, crisis intervention and pastoral care in the slums.
February 2023-Boys & Girls Club of Chester
Our charity for the month of February is the Boys & Girls Club of Chester in Chester, PA. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of
Chester is to nurture the development of Chester’s young people and guide them along the path to future success by providing
an environment that supports excellence in education, good character and citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle. After school and
mentorship programs focus in four areas: Health & Wellness, Post-Secondary Options, Quality Out-of-School Time, and
Workforce Preparation. The Boys & Girls Club of Chester's website
is https://www.boysgirlsclubchester.com/
January 2023- Mom's House
Our charity for the month of January is Mom’s House in Phoenixville, PA. Mom’s House provides a unique family support
system, including free state-licensed childcare, for low income single parents while they are pursuing their full-time
education
Please reach out for more information.
December 2022- Water is Life
December is Water is Life Kenya (WILK). WILK, in its 15th year, is a small charity that accomplishes a lot in southern
Kenya, an arid land populated mainly by Maasai herders of cattle and goats, who now face the worst drought in 30
years. Our donations support the drilling for clean water supplies (over 24 wells and watering systems so far), schooling
herders in better husbandry practices, helping Maasai women establish their own herds, making it possible for children
to attend school, supporting widows (who are often marginalized in Maasai society), coordinating the marketing of
handmade jewelry and other crafts, and other life giving efforts. Please message for more information.
November 2022- PAR-Recycle Works
November is PAR-Recycle Works. PAR-Recycle Works is an electronics recycler that provides transitional employment to people
returning from prison. Revenue is generated by deconstructing electronics waste (often referred to as e-waste) and destroying
data on donated computers and devices. Please message for more information. https://home.par-recyclewokrks.org
October 2022- Dawn's Place
For 12 years, Dawn's Place has been offering to women who have been trafficked and exploited for commercial sex work
( the majority of who had been sexually abused as children and who suffer from PTSD and substance abuse disease). During
that time they have welcomed over 110 women into a loving, trauma-based residential program.
September 2022-
Our charity for the month of September is the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary.
For more information www.mshr.org. Terry Shiels is our community champion.
August 2022-
Our charity for the month of August is SNAP, the Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests.
Begun in 1988 by clergy abuse survivor Barbara Blaine, SNAP is the oldest, largest self-help group
for clergy abuse victims assaulted by priests, ministers, nuns or rabbis. Through a network of hundreds of
volunteers, SNAP provides support and assistance through phone calls, support groups and referrals to
resources. Whether it is a call to the Helpline or participating in SNAP's virtual or in person support groups,
help is there. SNAP also works to protect children and the vulnerable by exposing predators and their
enablers and advocating for stronger laws. SNAP now has leaders in Japan, New Zealand, Europe, Uganda,
Nigeria and South Africa as well as Canada and Australia.
July 2022-
The July charity is Kay Lasante Clinic in Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. They continue to be impacted by
earthquakes. Eileen DiFranco is our community champion.
The Kay Lasante Clinic is an offshoot of the House of Grace Catholic Worker in Philadelphia. Catholic Workers Johanna
Berrigan and Mary Beth Appel serve on Kay Lasante’s Board. Learn more about the clinic and the health care provided
June 2022- Chester Community Coalition (Trauma Informed Counseling).
The June charity is Chester Community Coalition. Their focus is on counseling youth or adults who have suffered
from violence, whether from guns, sticks, or a beating from other people. Ed Burke is our community champion.
May 2022- Missionaries of the Poor in Kington, Jamaica.
May charity is Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica. Larry DiFranco is our SMM sponsor. Larry’s brother,
Nick, has traveled to Jamaica as a volunteer for 8 of the last 12 years. In Kingston, Jamaica, the Missionaries of the Poor
operate multiple projects and facilities serving hundreds of orphans, malnourished children, distressed mothers and babies,
the elderly, mentally and physically disabled young women and those suffering with AIDS. Please reach out for more information
