Open Hearth HQ Moving From Spring City To Phoenixville

SPRING CITY, PA — Social services nonprofit Open Hearth, Inc. is building a new headquarters in Phoenixville and the campaign to fund it has gone public, after more than $650,000 has already been raised.

Open Hearth, Inc. announced the public phase of its capital campaign "Home Is Where the Hearth Is" to raise funds for the renovation of the nonprofit's new headquarters in Phoenixville.

The building at 701 S. Main St. will serve as home to Open Hearth’s programs and community-building initiatives. Open Hearth's presence there aims at fostering a stronger, healthier community for generations to come, representatives said. To date, Open Hearth has raised more than 65 percent of its $1 million capital campaign goal.

Open Hearth reported it began renovations of the property in June of 2021. The project is expected to be complete in late fall 2021.

In its 30th year, Open Hearth was among the many organizations that helped displaced families, after the Ashwood Apartments fire in July 2020, to find, fund, and furnish new permanent housing in Chester and Montgomery counties. Read that story here.

In 2019, Open Hearth's Board of Directors recognized the organization had outgrown its current location. As the need for services has expanded, additional staff have been added. While searching for a new rental space, Open Hearth connected with two Phoenixville area residents, Janice and Paul Hartmann. When the Hartmanns learned of the organization's need, they decided to make the most generous donation — a 4,000-square-foot building on one acre in the center of Phoenixville.

"The new building will be a place of hope for our clients and partners as they are welcomed into a location that is both accessible and inspirational," said Kelly Raggazino, Open Hearth's Executive Director. "Our new home will reflect the high standards of service set by Open Hearth’s staff, funders, and collaborators."

The building is in need of repairs to bring it up to today's codes and standards, a news statement from Open Hearth explained. Funds raised in the "Home Is Where the Hearth Is" campaign will be used to make these critical repairs.

The new Phoenixville property provides easy access and parking, increased foot traffic, and close proximity to many partner agencies, the organization explained. In the new location, staff will be on one floor, whereas they are now divided between two floors and 45 steps in the Spring City location. More meeting space and room to grow are just a few of the additional benefits of the new space.

Lead supporters of the campaign include The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, Chester County Department of Community Development, The McLean Contributionship, Univest, and First Cornerstone Foundation, according to Open Hearth's news statement.

Donations can be made here.

Among the community services Open Hearth offers is a free virtual Budgeting and Debt Reduction Workshop, happening Wednesday at 6 p.m. It will help attendees create a spending plan that can help reduce their debt and build savings." We will talk about systems and other strategies that are easy ways to get started taking control of your money instead of having your money control you," Open Hearth said.

Register here to attend.

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