Page 14 - Chester County Chamber - 2019 Guide and Business Directory

NON-PROFITS
CHESTER COUNTY CHAMBER
Making a Difference
Chester County non-profits are finding new ways to connect with the community
Many local nonprofits find valued partnerships through the Chester County Chamber of Business
& Industry. They know the benefits of cooperation, and often pitch in to support one another’s work.
The Chester County Art Association
strives to provide arts exposure to the
local community. The group offers classes, monthly art exhibitions, summer camp programs, lectures and free outreach programs in Kennett and inexpensive fee- based classes at the Exton Square Mall. Art education, thinking creatively and having the confidence to express one’s self are cornerstone objectives that run throughout the programs.
“For us, the benefits are seeing what the community is doing and where we can go to bring more people in,” said Christeyn Fremont, communications coordinator for
the Chester County Art Association. “It is beneficial to know who else is a part of this Chamber and interact with them, growing our own network. We are trying to become more active within the chamber; however, with our small staff, it is difficult to attend most events.”
The Maternal & Child Health Consortium (MCHC) was created in 1991 to ensure that all pregnant and parenting women in Chester County have access to healthcare regardless of race, language, insurance status or immigration status.
“We participate in many CCCBI events,
and they have been helpful meeting with different businesses and other non-profits,” Milena Oberti-Lanz, executive director of the MCHC, said. “Membership has been very beneficial for us.”
Staff for the MCHC began to provide home visits to disadvantaged pregnant
women in 1995. The MCHC was able to expand its reach and reduce disparities in birth outcomes for African-American and Hispanic infants in our community through the federal Healthy Start program.
MCHC prides itself on being a “leading voice” for Chester County’s women, children and families and has expanded its services to meet emerging needs. Today, the MCHC has an operating budget of more than $1.4 million through public
and private partnerships and strong community support.
West Chester Food Cupboard, founded in 2009, provides a variety of healthy, fresh and nonperishable food items to West Chester residents in need. The non- profit organization is operated by unpaid volunteers and serves more than 600 households each month.
Clients are able to select the food they
Brandywine Center
12 Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry