Guest speakers: Rev. Lynda Rassman, Connectional HIV/AIDS Coordinator of AME Churches Health Commission NJ, and Chantal Whitehead of Camp Dreamcatcher

Enjoy Herstories, door prizes, games, teas and desserts.

$5 per person or $40 per table (of 8). Prize for the best dressed table. Scholarships are available.

To Register:
Hub of Hope Interfaith HIV/AIDS Ministry
610-444-2400
hub-of-hope@umcod.org

All year long, these volunteers provide transportation to HIV/AIDS clients, assist with prevention initiatives, provide food, and give financial assistance to Project ONE.

Helping Hands: Darlene Robinson, James S. Smith, Fiona Allison, Tim Case, Jesse Cocks, Elmer Duckinfield, Angela Emrich, Anne Cormish, Rev. Jacqueline Hines, Virginia Huestis, Rev. Eva Johnson, Pamela Johnson, Cheryl Miles, Rona Obert, Peggy Puy, Shauna Ridge, Molly Dee Rounsley, Eleanor Ruiz-Santiago, Rich Sipple, Rev. Sondra Taylor.

Faith Communities: Bethel United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Galilee UAME Church, Grove United Methodist Church, Hopewell United Methodist Church, Second Baptist Worship Center, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, UM Church of the Open Door, West Chester United Methodist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Helping Hands

Click on any photo to enlarge.

To human service providers, medical professionals and those serving the HIV/AIDS population in Chester County:

You are invited to a Family Service/Project ONE Open House on Tuesday, December 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Coatesville Center for Community Health. Come and learn about our comprehensive case management services for individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS in Chester County.

• Meet our case managers, prevention education specialist, and program director.
• Discuss ways we can work together to help people living with HIV/AIDS in our community to access better medical care and resources for healthy living.
• Discuss HIV/AIDS issues and trends in Chester County.
• Get information about HIV prevention and our VOICES prevention program.

Directions

World AIDS Day Services:

Tabernacle Baptist Church 
December 1, 6:00 pm
819 Coates Street
Coatesville, PA  19380
Refreshments

First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville
December 4, 4:00 pm
865 Main Street
Phoenixville, PA  19460

Well, okay, we don’t need your socks. You can keep the ones you’re wearing—but we do need new, warm socks to give to homeless and disadvantaged people in Chester County this winter.

Socks are one item people rarely donate. Socks wear out, get holes, and end up in the trash can. When homeless and disadvantaged people need socks, our clothing donations centers have few or none to give.

You can make a small, but important, difference in someone’s life this winter by participating in our annual Sock-It-To-Us community sock drive.

Purchase clean, new socks for men, women or children and bring them to a Sock-It-To-Us collection site from October 1-31.

Sock Collection Sites

Family Service of Chester County
310 N. Matlack Street
West Chester, Pa  19380 (map)

Public Libraries in…
Avon Grove
Bayard Taylor
Chester Springs
Coatesville
Downingtown
Easttown
Henrietta Franklin
Honey Brook
Malvern
Oxford
Parkesburg
Phoenixville
Spring City
Tredyffrin
West Chester

And at…
Eagleview YMCA
Phoenixville YMCA
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Grove Church
St. Paul’s Baptist Church
First Presbyterian Church of West Chester
Spirit of Yoga

Where Will The Socks Go?

At the end of October, your socks will be distributes to 20+ homeless shelters and community agencies serving disadvantaged men, women and children in Chester County.

Chester County’s 10 Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness stresses the need for public awareness. By participating in Sock-It-To-Us, you can bring attention to this tragic reality and make life easier and warmer for our homeless and near-homeless neighbors.

Questions? Don’t Hesitate… Contact Us!

Sock-It-To-Us is a signature project of our RSVP Volunteer Program. It is led and organized by retired and senior volunteers age 55+.

Leslie Stauffer, RSVP Program Director
610-696-4900 ext. 114
rsvp@familyservice.us

• Affordable home Internet service, $9.95 per month
• A new computer, $149.99 plus taxes
• Free internet training

Jill combines humor, compassion and hard facts to dispel myths about HIV/AIDS.

A video, a stack of condoms, two anatomical models (one for men, one for women)…

The conversation coming next might seem awkward, “but it never is,” says Jill Johnson, Family Service’s HIV prevention education specialist.

Jill leads VOICES, the only adult HIV prevention program in Chester County. To date, she’s discussed safe sex and condom use with everyone from college students to senior citizens.

The goal of VOICES is to stop HIV in Chester County. County statistics show that STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are rising, and when STDs increase, HIV increases.

“The HIV virus is alive and well in Chester County,” says Jill.

VOICES, or Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex, is a single-session, video-based program for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The videos demonstrate real-life discussions between sexually active partners about condom use and safe sex practices.

“Most people think they know how HIV is transmitted, but there is a lot of misinformation out there,” says Jill.

Jill is frank and open. Along with the videos, she talks about body fluids, needles and unsafe sex. Participants can ask any question—and they usually do.

“I tell people, what happens in VOICES, stays in VOICES,” says Jill. “Once people understand the ground rules, they really start to open up. This is information people really want to know.”

Jill also hones in on special issues. With young women, she talks about self-esteem, domestic and dating violence, peer pressure and abstinence. Sometimes, they role play difficult scenarios.

VOICES empowers people to take responsibility for their sexual health. As part of the presentation, Jill gives a condom demonstration for adults. She talks about types of condoms, sizes and even colors. She explains how to use them and passes out samples.

“Feedback to VOICES has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Jill. “People say they’ve learned new information and feel better equipped to enter into safe sex discussions with their partners, families and even their children.”

VOICES can be adapted to numerous audiences. It is concise, entertaining and informative. Without proper knowledge, anyone can be at-risk for HIV. For more information, visit Project ONE »

Steve Douglas, his wife Jill, daughters Kelly and Kristy, son-in-law Steve, and grandkids Reese and Grant are all active participants in the Exchange Club of West Chester and at the District Level.

This year, Steve Douglas will be inducted into the National Exchange Club Foundation Court of Honor—the highest and most lasting recognition bestowed by the foundation—while his daughter Kristy has been awarded a prestigious local honor: Mid-Atlantic District Exchangite of the Year.

Steve was President of the National Exchange Club from July 2005 to June 2006, and before that, served as National Treasurer (1999-2001). In the 1990s, he also served terms as Region 11 Vice President and President of the Pennsylvania District Exchange Clubs.

What Steve is most proud of, however, is his local legacy. Steve chaired the committee that originally founded the Exchange Club Family Center at Family Service in the early 1990s and to this day, he and his family devote significant time, skills and resources to ensure its health and growth.

Today, Steve and Kristy serve on the Exchange Club Family Center’s Advisory Board, while the whole family helps in various ways to organize the program’s annual fundraiser: the James L. Mosteller Comedy & Magic Spectacular.

Steve and Kristy are also members of our Family Service Board of Directors. For the past two years, Kristy has chaired the Board as President. Steve is our Board Treasurer.

Steve’s induction into the National Exchange Club Court of Honor is a tremendous achievement. Only four Exchangites from across the United States will receive this honor this year. Alan Livingston of the Exchange Club of West Chester will be inducted posthumously.

The Court of Honor recognizes individuals who reflect the highest and best traditions of the Exchange. Their example sets a standard of excellence for future generations of Exchange Club members.

Meanwhile, Kristy’s award—Mid-Atlantic District Exchangite of the Year—recognizes superior contributions at the local level. Kristy is Treasurer of the former Turks Heads Exchange Club in West Chester, a member of the Exchange Club of West Chester, and Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic District. She devotes countless hours to her local club, the district, her church, and numerous other charitable organizations.

When the Douglases are not hard at work as volunteers and Exchange Club members, they work together at Brandywine Valley Wealth Advisors, LLC. Both Steve and Kristy are Certified Public Accountants. Steve is also a Personal Financial Specialist.

Family Service wishes to congratulate, but most importantly, thank the Douglas family for their unfailing commitment to Family Service and our Exchange Club Family Center. No truer words are spoken when we say, “we wouldn’t be here without you!”

• Have received a high school diploma or GED
• Attend (or plan to attend) a post-secondary institution, including a 2 year or 4 year college or university or a vocational/technical institute

Check out this article about The Grateful Alive in the Daily Local, then watch a sneak peak of their performance at RSVP’s Annual Luncheon:

Show Schedule

For information about when The Grateful Alive will perform next, contact RSVP Program Director Leslie Stauffer at 610-696-4900 ext. 114 or rsvp@familyservice.us