Chesco Women & Girls Get $239K In Grants

WEST CHESTER —The Fund for Women and Girls has awarded $239,680 in grants to 30 non-profit organizations serving the needs of women and girls throughout Chester County.

Nearly 70 community members, grantee partners, and fund board and committee members celebrated everyone who works tirelessly to improve the lives of women and girls during a gathering at Loch Aerie Mansion, East Whiteland Township.

• Glenda Brion, executive director of the Community Warehouse Project, shared stories of community members who felt whole again after receiving furniture for their new homes.

• Alma Vidal, manager of maternal and child health consortium’s Healthy Start Program, spoke about a pregnant and struggling single mother who utilized services to leave her abusive partner and get back on her feet.

• Kristin Proto, executive director of The Garage Community and Youth Center, shared the story of an immigrant girl from Guatemala who credited The Garage’s programs with helping her obtain a high school diploma and pursue her dream of becoming an immigration lawyer.

For the second year in a row, The Fund awarded two-year sustained funding to local nonprofit partners.

Additional funding was awarded through ‘Moving Her Forward’ Impact Grants, a grantmaking program established to focus on swift responses to pressing needs in the community.

• Community Warehouse Project received a $5,000 grant to support replacing furnishings for Hurricane Ida flood victims in Chester County.
• Chester County Food Bank received a $5,000 grant to support food scarcity for Hurricane Ida flood victims in Chester County.
• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County received an $8,750 grant to provide Spanish language services for survivors in response to intimate partner murders in Coatesville.
• ChesPenn Health Services received $8,750 to support bilingual family planning, prenatal care, and health education to uninsured or underinsured women and girls a call to action on reproductive rights issues.

“Whether as a grantee, a volunteer or a supporter, being engaged in The Fund’s grantmaking experience takes courage," said Kim Andrews, executive director of The Fund.

“Once you are part of this journey with us and become aware of the needs in our community, you can no longer stand on the sidelines. It takes bravery, boldness and trust to move forward and be part of the solution."

See a full list of this year’s grantees here.