NEW!!

Our E-Update, Calendar of Events and E-Update ResourcesTM, along with supplemental updates of these and other information, now are available at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni To help avoid missing updates important to you, go to the web address frequently. You also can "Like" and Follow the page and Share it with others. However, Facebook has created algorithms that determine what information it provides on your News Feed so all the FREE activities we publish may not be passed on to you through your News Feed. A Like, Share or Comment of individual posts and the page, itself, increase chances that other activities and events will be passed on to you. You do not have to be a Facebook user to access the page but do need to be a user to access other than basic features.

PRIMARILY FREE EVENTS AND TRAININGS IMPACTING AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Week of April 6, 2014 Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the Wealth of Available Resources and the Poverty Associated With People Not Knowing About Them ___________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to aid reader searches, new items added each week are highlighting in yellow. As always, we are interested in receiving feedback in regard to how we might improve our publications, content and convenience of use. E-Update periodically reports ways in which subscribers use our publications to aid their families or organizations. If you have a short description that might be helpful to others and their uses, we would like to hear about them. Please forward two or three sentences that provide specific uses of benefit to bps461@msn.com.
_________________________________________________________________________________ Activities are subject to change without notice; participants are encouraged to use contact information to confirm times and dates. To unsubscribe, please send a message to bps461@msn.com with the word Unsubcribe in the Subject line. 2009-2014 Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative for Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families. Permission is granted to reproduce for personal or non-commercial uses only.

-2-

Sections Available in the attached Calendar of Events: UPDATED THIS WEEK: Special Activities: Upcoming primarily free activities listed by day over the next several months. Special Ongoing Scheduled Activities: Primarily free activities held regularly each week or month. Area Ministries for Those Who are Struggling. GriefShare, DivorceCare, Celebrate Recovery, Mending Hearts. Day Trip Destination Sites: Free admission sites for individual and family outings. UPDATED THIS WEEK: E-Update ResourcesTM: Accompanying Information About Services, Including Employment Resources, for Individuals and Families.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Calendar of Events - Please Submit Additions Today Upcoming Activities The following items are detailed in the accompanying Calendar of Events and are in addition to those described within this E-Update. They will be occurring during the current two-week period or are newly listed as part of the longer term Calendar. These activities are provided for both personal use and printing out and sharing with others through suggested posting on public and employee bulletin boards, hard copies or e-mail.

Updated: This Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events) Conflicts and Faith Series New Holland. Giovanni Casdei and Richard Remenick Art Exhibit Oxford. Children Through Adult Art Classes Coatesville. American Revolution Illustrations Exhibit King of Prussia Valley Forge. ReSourced Art Exhibit Pottstown. Inspired by Natures Beauty Art Show Devon. Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations. Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries. Adult Vaccine Clinic Coatesville. Todays Hiring Trends for Job-Seekers Workshop Malvern. Sandy County Almanac Book Discussion and Movie Phoenixville. Tools for Budgeting Workshop Exton. Demystifying College Admissions Presentation Strafford. Mushrooms? A Land Ethic? Presentation Kennett Square. Saving for College Parents Workshop Exton. King of Prussia Railroads Author Presentation Strafford. Developing a Cover Letter Workshop West Chester. Presidential Health Presentation Exton. Sexual Violence Forum Blue Bell and Pottstown. Money Management and Obtaining Checking Workshop Coatesville. Home Purchases Workshop Exton. Divorce Issues Presentation Wayne. Internet Financial Resources Workshop Exton. Facilitating Social Communication in School-Age Children Workshop Malvern. Special Education Workshop Phoenixville. Finding Peace with Tremors Presentation New Holland. Special Education Attorneys Workshop Downingtown. Emotional Impacts of Blindness Webinar New Holland. Robotics Celebration Exton. Holistic Weight Loss Presentation Berwyn. College Aid Workshop Blue Bell. Rep. Kampfs Career Fair Radnor.

-3-

Birding at Black Rock Walk Phoenixville. Single Mothers Conference West Chester. Veterans Benefits Mobile Outreach Malvern. Clothes2Go Giveaway Exton (Downingtown/Lionville). Personal Paper Shredding Blue Bell Hazardous Waste Collection Phoenixville. Egg Hunts West Chester (East Goshen Township), West Chester Borough, Gap, Schwenksville and Thorndale. Easter EggStravaganza West Grove. Composting and More Workshop Kennett Square. Discovering Bluebirds Workshop Glenmoore. Keep Your Kids Safe Workshop Berwyn. Egg Hunt and Decorated Hat Parade West Chester (West Goshen Township). American Kestrels Presentation Phoenixville. Celebrating Young Children Fair Pottstown. Art Show Jurors Talk Devon.

Updated: Next Weeks Calendar of Events Activities (Found in Calendar of Events) Conflicts and Faith Series New Holland. Giovanni Casdei and Richard Remenick Art Exhibit Oxford. Children Through Adult Art Classes Coatesville. American Revolution Illustrations Exhibit King of Prussia Valley Forge. ReSourced Art Exhibit Pottstown. Inspired by Natures Beauty Art Show Devon. Look Good Feel Better for Women Multiple Locations. Spring Reading and Children Programs Area Libraries. Alpacas Showing and Presentation Chester Springs (Ludwigs Corner). Gap Male Chorus Concert Honey Brook. Alzheimers End-of-Life Decisions Presentation New Holland. Rep. Corbin Senior Expo Downingtown (East Brandywine Township). British Cosplay Exton. Spring Career and Internship Fair Blue Bell. Rites of Spring Reception Coatesville. Home Purchases, Part II, Workshop Exton. Post Adoption and GrandFamilies Support West Chester. Practical Career Re-Engagement for Women Workshop Wayne. Historical Discussions Parkesburg. Fred Hubler Off the Record Investment Presentation Phoenixville. Good Friday Service New Holland. Wild Night Hike Coatesville (Wagontown). Portraits of the Passion Drama Exton (Lionville/Downingtown). Personal Paper Shredding Malvern. Recycling and Shred Day West Chester. Easter Egg Hunt Paoli. Basic Wilderness Survival Presentation Pottstown (Warwick). Old-Time Gospel Concert New Holland. New: Future Weeks Events and Activities (View in Calendar of Events) Public Safety Career Fair Blue Bell. Pardons and Expungements Workshop Kennett Square. Old-Time Gospel Concerts New Holland. College Aid Workshop Pottstown. Community Breakfast Parkesburg.

-4-

Shredding, Recycling and Prescription Drug Take Back Malvern. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Numerous Area Locations. Cello Concert Honey Brook. Personal Shredding Event Oaks, Limerick, Downingtown and West Chester.

Activities Submission - Organizations are encouraged to submit information about ongoing services and activities, along with special events, as soon as possible after establishing a date to maximize publicity and to help individuals and other organizations with planning processes for their own events. Formats for submission should be similar to and include all information as that shown on the current, accompanying Calendar of Events. Further information about submissions appears at the end of this E-Update and the Calendar. Information should be submitted to bps461@msn.com. Don't let your important activity be left unknown.

NEW LAST WEEK: Chester County Starts Public Access Mapping with Mental Health Chester County Department of Human Services has started a process to map client services to assist the public and services providers in understanding how to access them. The first System of Care initiatives include Child Early Intervention and Mental Health Services, along with Adult Mental Health Services. Supplemental guides provide additional information about various aspects of such services, including terminology. Additional agencies currently are developing similar documents. The single-page maps and the supplemental guides are available at www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=617.

NEW LAST WEEK: Alianzas Moves in Phoenixville; Orion Communities in Transition Alizanzas, a community collaboration to help improve Latino/Hispanic community access to local resources and promote intercultural communication and understanding between the Latino/Hispanic and the broader communities, has moved from under the auspices of Orion Communities in Phoenixville. The organization has relocated to 148 Church Street, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays with telephone (610) 933-9200. Further information about the organization is available at www.facebook.com/pages/Alianzas-de-Phoenixville/190616354296398. In the meantime, Orion Communities, at 174 Bridge Street, a 35-year-old organization focused on assisting individuals experiencing poverty, disability, or illness whose needs are unmet by other resources, reports that it is in a state of transition through the end of May. It also will be passing on its employment assistance initiatives to other entities. The office will be staffed by volunteers for limited hours weekdays, with individuals able to connect for services by leaving a message at (610) 415-1140. Further information about the organization is available at www.orioncommunities.org.

-5-

NEW LAST WEEK: Coatesville Farmers Market Leaving City Coatesville Farmer's Market, which has been operating Saturdays during the summer at Gateway Park at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and South 1st Avenue in Coatesville, is moving to the Brandywine Hospital, 201 Reeceville Road. The market now will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Further information is available at www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleFarmersMarket or coatesvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

NEW LAST WEEK: Public Utility Commission Schedules Additional Hearing on February Ice Storm Monday, April 7 Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold an additional public input hearing in Chester County to receive comment on performance by utilities during the February ice storm which reportedly left some 968,000 customers without power sometime during the storm, some for as long as nine days. Two previous hearings were held March 24 in Blue Bell and March 26 in Berwyn. The agencys Bureau of Technical Utility Services will hear public comment starting at 7 p.m. April 7 in the Community Room, Penn Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove (Jennersville). The PUC seeks to hear from customers who experienced power outages as to satisfactory public communications information, timely and accurate information on expected restoration time, ability to contact the utility initially and in followup calls, and suggestions on how the electric utilities could improve communications during large-scale service outages. Further information in regard to participation is available at http://www.puc.state.pa.us/about_puc/press_releases.aspx?ShowPR=3324, Jennifer Kocher at jekocher@pa.gov or (717) 787-5722.

Free Community Coffee Klatch Starts in Kennett Thursdays, Ongoing An ongoing community Inter Gen Coalition, which seeks to develop and maintain community vibrancy through intergenerational connections, has spearheaded a new, weekly Community Coffee Klatch at The Market at Liberty Place, 148 West State Street, Kennett Square. Community residents will be able to gather in the facilitys open dining area for a free cup of coffee from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursdays and engage in informal conversation with others. Additional information is available at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. NEW THIS WEEK: Fishing and Boating Reports Available Pennsylvania State Fish and Boat Commission provides regional fishing, boating and waterway reports for areas throughout the state at www.fish.state.pa.us/splashes.htm.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Chester County Schedules Community Mental Health Conversations Continues Wednesday, April 9 Chester County Department of Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MH/IDD) has scheduled a series of Community Conversations, an informal means for

-6-

residents to learn and express concerns about mental health issues, as part of a National Dialogue on Mental Health initiative. Sessions are being held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, with dinner included at Henderson High School, 400 Montgomery Avenue, both in West Chester and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the 9-10 Grade Center, 1445 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Also, two-part sessions are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, April 28 and May 5, at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, and Thursdays, May 1 and May 8 at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, 216 East State Street, Kennett Square. Required registration for the library eventsw may be made at http://ereserve.ccls.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp?ln=ALL or at the libraries.

Free Beautification Disposal Saturday, April 12 Through Tuesday, May 5; Free Cleanup Supplies Now Through Saturday, May 31 Community and civic associations, school and youth groups, families and friends, business employees, hunting and fishing clubs, conservation organizations, sports teams, and others organizing Great American Cleanup of PA events through May 31 can receive free cleanup supplies, such as bags, gloves and vests, from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep America Beautiful. In addition, during Pick It Up PA Days from April 12 to May 5, registered events have access to free disposal through a Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association and participating landfills partnership. Further information is available at www.gacofpa.org. Information also is available about Pennsylvanias Highway Beautification Program at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdHwyBeau.nsf/AAHHome?OpenFrameset.

Free Healing Arts for Veterans and Cancer Patients Through Mid-June ArtFusion 19464 is offering weekly classes in pottery or printmaking for veterans and those whose lives have been touched by cancer at its facility at 254 East High Street, Pottstown, along with five general tuition art class scholarships for veterans. Printmaking classes are being held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays into June A five-week pottery workshop will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting Wednesday, May 7. Further information and required registration are available at www.artfusion19464.org, info@artfusion19464.org or (610) 326-2506.

Free Congregational Health Ministry Workshop Set Saturday, April 12 Clergy, ministry leaders, nurses and others will learn more about how churches can make effective use of existing resources to help meet needs of individuals and families within their congregations and communities during the 4th Annual Congregational Health Ministry Development Workshop of the Chester County Faith Community Nurse Network.

-7-

The non-denominational event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., April 12, at Downingtown United Methodist Church, 751 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, and is open to anyone interested in outreach ministry, both within congregations and communities. Linda Witmer, MPH, M.Div., RN, a 23-year missionary of health and development in Guatemala and currently a faith community nursing instructor at Eastern Mennonite University in Lancaster and chair of the Central Pennsylvania Faith Based Health Network, will be the featured speaker. Sister Helene McGroarty of the St. Agnes Parish Hispanic ministry in West Chester will lead a time of spiritual renewal. Faith community nurses, estimated at more than 10,000 nationally, focus on wellness, disease prevention and health promotion, integrating standards of health within the context of faith, helping meet holistic physical, mental/emotional and spiritual health needs of congregations and their communities. They often are part of congregational wellness councils that are focused on overall health needs of church bodies. Further information and requested registration for the activity are available at mbaldino@nvnacc.com or (610) 696-6511 x113. A free-will offering will be taken.

Public Hearings Set on Allocation of $23.9 Million in Human Services Funds Monday-Tuesday, April 14-15 Chester County Department of Human Services will hold two hearings to receive public input in regard to expenditure of some $23.9 million in discretionary Human Services Block Grant funds during the 2014-2015 state fiscal year. The sessions will be held at 4:30 p.m. April 14 in Suite 170 of the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, and at 1:30 p.m. April 15 in the 4th Floor Community Room, Brandywine Center, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. The funding enables the county to allocate a portion of its state funding for human services to local priority areas. A copy of the current fiscal years plan for expenditures is available at http://pachestercounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12320.

Free Income Tax Preparation Nearing End Individuals earning $58,000 or less and senior citizens can obtain free 2013 income tax preparation at many area locations. And, it may pay to file even if one doesnt owe anything. The federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also is promoting awareness among many eligible non-filers that up to a $6,143 tax credit may be available, even if no taxes are due. The agency estimates that one out of five individuals eligible for the credit do not receive it due to failure to file or faulty returns. An EITC Awareness Toolkit for businesses seeking to help stimulate local economies and human services providers seeking to assist clients is available at www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p5075.pdf. Last year, millions of dollars in refunds were returned to area taxpayers

-8-

through the free preparation services, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in preparation savings. Information on preparation appointments in area counties is available at: Berks: www.bcapberks.org/Financial-Assistance-Berks-County.html or (610) 3766571. Chester: http://chestercountyfreetaxes.org or (610) 380-9099. Lancaster: www.uwlanc.org/PriorityAreas/FinancialStability/VITA.aspx. Appointments also can be made by calling 2-1-1. Further information on sites in other counties that have scheduled volunteer income tax preparation hours is available at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-forYou-by-Volunteers.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Coatesville Area Health Fair Summit Scheduled Wednesday, April 16 Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN), in partnership with Coatesville on the Move, a local ACTIVATE Chester County group, will hold a Health Fair Summit from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 16 in the 4th Floor Community Room, Brandywine Center, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. The session, being held in concert with the monthly CARN meeting of area services providers, will look at what a vibrant community health fair looks like and how to obtain maximum impact for providers and community residents as a result of the many health and related fair-type activities held throughout the Spring and Summer. The discussion is designed to help create a common, comprehensive community health vision, along with a message for, and response from, consumers that will help maximize significant agency resources that are expended each year in sponsoring or participating in such events. All community organizations, health fair sponsors and interested individuals serving the Greater Coatesville Area from a physical, mental/emotional or spiritual health perspective are invited to attend and share what they have been doing and how everyone can build greater capacity and results through collaboration, including potential common promotion. Further information and requested registration is available from Kathryn Spurlock at Coatesville Center for Community Health at ccch@comcast.net or (610) 383-4612. Light refreshments will be provided. This initiative is an extension of recent CARN discussions in regard to building a communitywide System of Care. The group explores community topics and exchanges information on potential solutions to needs and new or existing initiatives by participating organizations.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Deadline Looms for Heating Assistance Through Friday, April 18 Eligible Pennsylvania residents now have until April 18 to apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for the winter heating season now ending, with other assistance programs available throughout the year.

-9-

LIHEAP assists low-income families with heating bills through a cash grant sent directly to a heating provider. The program also provides crisis grants for households in immediate danger of being without heat, including broken equipment. Applicants do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill, and can either rent or own. Further information and eligibility information are available at www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap or (800) 692-7462. In separate assistance, state Public Utility Commission provides information on five different categories of aid available throughout the year, along with other help links, at www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/electricity/energy_assistance_programs.aspx or (800) 692-7380. In addition, eligible homeowners and renters in Chester, Delaware and Lancaster counties also can obtain home weatherization assistance, including insulation, heater service, window and door replacement and other energy conservation measures through the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. Further information and application information is available at www.caadc.org/pdfs/Flyer%20Brochure%202013.pdf or (610) 521-8770.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Saturday, April 26; Chester and Montgomery Counties Add 15 Year-Around Take Back Boxes The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring its biannual Spring Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, with any local police departments participating at their headquarters, municipal offices, grocery stores, pharmacies and other locations. The drive is held to attempt to keep unused prescription drugs out of the hands of youth and adults, along with water supplies. Prescription drugs are being described as the gateway to heroin and other illegal drugs, with youth and all ages taking drugs from unlocked medicine cabinets and ingesting them indiscriminately. When prescription drugs no longer are available, users turn to heroin because it currently is cheaper than prescription drugs, officials report. Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan says the problem is particularly acute in white, middle and upper-income families. Traces of drugs also are turning up in municipal water supplies according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, presumably due to persons disposing of them in sinks and toilets.

- 10 -

Further information, collection locations and materials that individuals can download and e-mail, post or distribute to others is available at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. In the meantime, Chester and Montgomery Counties now have 40 locations where residents can drop off unused prescription drugs year around, including five new ones in the Coatesville area. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Services provides an online list of yeararound drop boxes at local locations throughout the state at www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1677241&mode=2&utm_source =Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2fporta l%2fserver.pt%3fopen%3d514%26objID%3d1677241%26mode%3d2&utm_campaign=Hap py+New+Year. The new Coatesville area locations are available 24 hours daily at Coatesville City Police Department, 1 City Hall Place, and the West Brandywine Township Police at 198 Lafayette Road. They also are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at Caln Township Police, 253 Municipal Drive, Thorndale, and West Caln Township Police, 721 West Kings Highway, Coatesville; and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at Valley Township Police, 890 West Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.

NEW THIS WEEK: Creating Inclusionary Zoning Workshop Tuesday, April 29 Chester County Department of Community Development will host a workshop on inclusionary zoning from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Chester County Public Safety Training Center, 137 Modena Road, South Coatesville. The session, for municipal officials, developers, contractors and others, will discuss strengthening communities by analyzing impediments to fair housing, design and construction of accessible housing and creating inclusive zoning ordinances. Katie McCabe, director of enforcement for the Fair Housing Rights Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania will present the workshop, part of National Fair Housing Month activities. Further information and requested reservations are available at www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/16617, ccdcd@chesco.org or (610) 344-6900.

NEW THIS WEEK: Free Elder Care Training Tuesday, April 29 Elder Law Attorney Robert Slutsky will describe the Anatomy of an Elder Care Crisis Part II during an 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. presentation on April 29 at Columbia Cottage, 901 East Main Street, Collegeville. The workshop, to assist elder care professionals in identifying elder care and disability crises, guide families through personal and financial problems that arise, and discovering resources available to assist, will be hosted by Mercy Home Health and Optum Palliative & Hospice care. Further information and registration, which includes breakfast and Continuing Education Unit credits for some disciplines, are available at http://www.netcare.net/files/3213/9628/4096/CEUColumbiaCottageApr29-2014.pdf or ceursvp@gmail.com.

- 11 -

Rotating Homeless Shelter is Open Through Wednesday, April 30 Ministries at Main Street has opened its homeless shelter that rotates among Pottstown churches for the winter. Daily intake starts at noon weekdays at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish House basement at 75 East Main Street. During November, the homeless will stay at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 North Hanover Street. The host in December is Christ Episcopal Church, 316 East High Street; in January Zions United Church of Christ, 209 Chestnut Street; in February St. Pauls United Church of Christ, 927 North Franklin Street; in March St. Johns United Church of Christ, 11 South Price Street; with April to be determined. Further information is available at www.ministriesatmainstreet.org/calendar.html, info@ministriesatmainstreet.org or (610) 970-2444.

PA CareerLink and Financial Stability Center Moving to Exton; Coatesville Senior Center to Take PA CareerLink Site About May 1 In a series of moves, PA CareerLink-Chester County and other employment and family assistance programs currently located in Coatesville and elsewhere, will be moving to Exton this Spring and co-locating with an expanding Financial Stability Center. The Coatesville Area Senior Center will move to the current PA CareerLink facility. Under the re-locations scenario, first reported Thursday, March 20, on our online site, many different services will be housed in two adjacent facilities at 479 Thomas Jones Way in the Oaklands Corporate Center at Exton to help create one-stop support for job-seeker and other financial assistance programs. Chester County Department of Community Development also will host a Community Discussion with Coatesville area nonprofits from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the Chester County Public Training Campus at 137 Modena Road, South Coatesville, to provide information on upcoming funding opportunities. The gathering is a pre-application workshop for 2015-2016 fiscal year funds expected to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other sources, with proposed projects potentially including those in aid of mitigating any adverse impacts from the PA CareerLink and other services move from the City of Coatesville. Further information about both activities is available at www.facebook.com/TransformationIni.

Free Elder Justice Day Workshop Set Wednesday, May 21 Chester County Elder Abuse Taskforce will host a workshop for the public and human services agencies from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 19 West Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester. Presentations will include guardianships, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office, scams, powers of attorney, understanding the court system, and the Chester County Department of Aging Services

- 12 -

Further information and requested registration are available at http://pachestercounty.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/370 or (610) 344-6035.

Free Personal Finances Workshop Series Through Wednesday, June 18 A new series of weekly, no-selling personal finances workshops are being held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, through June 18, in the lower-level Community Room, Exton Square Mall, between Sears and Boscovs, 260 Exton Square Parkway, Exton. Hosted by Open Hearth of Spring City, the units include topics of budgeting and debt reduction, family finance, building a better credit report, education loans and grants, career exploration, the home purchase process including choosing realtors and financing, and woman and money. Most will be offered twice. Individual workshop information is available in the Calendar of Events. Further information and required registration is available at www.openhearthinc.org/images/spring_2014.pdf, admin1.openhearth@verizon.net or (610) 792-9282 x208.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Community Organization Networking Connection Meetings (Regular Meeting Dates are Subject to Change) Coatesville Area Resource Network (CARN) meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, except August and December, in the fourth floor conference room at Brandywine Health Center at 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Representatives of community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from various services providers. On April 16, the group will conduct a Coatesville Area Health Fair Summit in conjunction with its meeting. Further information is available from Kathryn Spurlock at ccch@comcast.net or at (610) 380-7111 x16. Lancaster County LINK to Aging and Disability Resources meets from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at various Lancaster area locations for services cross-trainings and exchange of information on creating a one-stop, no-wrong-door resource for older adults and adults with disabilities, including consumers, family members and others, seeking information about local resources. On April 17, the group will meet at Long Community at Highland, 600 East Roseville Road, Lancaster, with a presentation by Keri Michnya of the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. On May 15, Brian Duke, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary, will address a combined meeting of the Lancaster, Berks and Lebanon County LINKs, followed by Angela Smoyer, regional housing coordinator with the Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania (SDHP). On June 19, Zachary Landes and Kevin Murphy of HGSK Law Firm will present Legal Perspectives on Social Security Disability at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, 75 East James Street, Lancaster. Further information is available from Brian Long, coordinator, at http://linktest2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/march-meeting-notice.pdf, LancasterCountyLINK@mail.com or (717) 380-9714. Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN) meets from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month, except December, at the First United Methodist Church (north entrance), 865 South Main Street, Phoenixville. Representatives of community organizations exchange information about current and upcoming activities and hear presentations from various services providers. On April 22, Always Best Care Senior Services and Holisticare Hospice, will discuss their services. On May 27, Surrey Services and Highgate Village will present. On June 24, Tel Hai Retirement Community and Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County will provide information.

- 13 -

Additional information about the group is available from Debbie Dundon at Open Hearth, Spring City, at (610) 792-9282 x201 or at debbie.openhearth@verizon.net. Kennett Area Each and All Dialogue Group meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square, to promote a living philosophy of being and becoming a peaceful, progressive and inclusive community. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. COSECHA (Harvest) meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month from September through June at various Southern Chester County locations. Paid and volunteer individuals who work with Chester County children, youth and families share information and build partnerships for after-school, out-of-school and summer programs. Further information is available from Laurie Szoke at las7@psu.edu or (610) 696-3500. Chester County Family and Community Partnership meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December at various locations. The group is a diverse partnership of individuals, families, community organizations, service agencies, businesses and funders committed to empowering individuals and families in living self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling lives. Additional information is available from Kathy Brauner at kbrauner@chesco.org or (610) 344-5262. Community Nurse Network meets from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month to exchange information on promotion of holistic health within faith congregations and communities and to develop additional faith community nurses, also known as parish nurses. On May 1, the group will meet at the Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square. Further information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Kennett Area Bridging the Community meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of January, March, May, July, September and November at various community locations with any interested individual or organization welcome to attend and share information on resources and needs that can build "bridges" toward a more integrated Kennett area community. On May 14, the group will meet at The Garage Community and Youth Center, 115 South Union Street, Kennett Square. Additional information is available from Joan Holliday at dochollisv@aol.com or (610) 717-2180. Minutes from prior meetings are available at www.bridgingcommunity.com/bridging.php. Communities That Care (CTC) groups in several Chester County school districts provide networking opportunities for community organizations and individuals that use a planning and mobilization model to promote healthy youth development and prevent and reduce negative youth health and behavior issues that may include substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out, and violence. West Chester CTC meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month of the school year at the West Chester Area School District Spellman Administrative Building, 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. On April 10, the group will continue last months presentation in regard to current day effects of marijuana, extending it to the justice system. Lunch is provided by reserving at rsvp@wcctc.org or (610) 359-5817. Downingtown Area CTC meets from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month from September through May at the Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon

- 14 -

Drive, Exton. Further information is available at dtownctc@umly.org or (610) 4589090 x2827. Coatesville CTC Community Prevention Board, a body coterminous with the Coatesville Youth Initiative Steering Committee, meets from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the third Thursday of every other month in the fourth floor meeting room of the Brandywine Health Foundation, 744 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. Further information is available from Jarvis Berry, CTC community mobilizer, at jberry@brandywinefoundation.org or (610) 380-9080 x105.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Support Groups for Unemployed and Underemployed Ongoing Several networking/support groups (open to everyone) are available at area churches for persons who are unemployed or unemployed, with each providing its own variety of specific services in support of those who attend: Downingtown (Lionville/Exton) -- Barnabas Group, at Calvary Fellowship Church, 95 West Devon Drive (rear entrance) at Route 113 in Exton (Lionville) is named after the Biblical disciple known as the Son of Encouragement. Weekly sessions are part of the churchs Care Monday, that includes a prayer group that meets at the same time in the Prayer Lobby (Portico Entrance), with intercession for those attending the Barnabas Group and the churchs other Care Ministries, including DivorceCare for those coping with separation or divorce, even years later; Mending Hearts for those with prodigal children and other family members; and various offerings focused on assistance in healing and coping. Further information for Barnabas Group activities is available at barnabasgroup@cfdownington.com or (610) 363-7171. Malvern Penn State Great Valleys Alumni Association and MyCareer Transitions (MCT), an all-volunteer job counseling group, meets from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. the second Saturday of the month, except August and December, in 130 Main Building, Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, preceded by a new member orientation at 8:30 a.m. On April 12, human resources professional Michael Hedri will discuss Job Search for Introverts, including engagement in successful networking. On May 10, Amy Thul-Sigler, assistant director for Penn State Alumni Career Services Department, will discuss Writing Effective Resumes. Further information and required registration are available at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/?q=upcoming-meetings. Wayne A one-on-one Employment Guidance Ministry, along with periodic special employment related events to aid jobseekers is available at St. Davids Episcopal Church, 763 South Valley Forge Road, Malvern. Further information is available from George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com or (610) 688-7947. West Chester Unemployment support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner Street, West Chester, to learn tips and techniques related to job searches. Further information is available from Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554. West Chester A new BarnabasWC group meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Mondays, except holidays, in the Community Room, Providence Church, 430 Hannum Avenue, West Chester. Further information is available at www.barnabaswc.org or info@barnabaswc.org.

- 15 -

Six Area Affiliates of Joseph's People meet during the month: Downingtown -- 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays, at St. Joseph's Parish, 338 Manor Avenue (Route 322), in the parish meeting room behind the school at the back of the property. Information about the affiliate is available by leaving a message at (610) 873-7117. Berwyn/Main Line - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at the Hagenbach Room, St. Monicas Church, 601 First Avenue. Further information is available from Bob Schubert at bobschubertjr@aim.com or (610) 755-2398. Media -- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays for GetWorks, at Hassler Chapel, Media Presbyterian Church, 30 East Baltimore Pike, or in the St. Francis Room at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road. Further information is available at (610) 566-3944. Upper Uwchlan Township 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the School Education Center, St. Elizabeths Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester Springs. Further information is available at (610) 321-1200 or at david.bolz@verizon.net. Reading 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm. on the first and third Wednesdays at St Catharine's of Siena Parish Center. 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading. Further information is available from John Senick, facilitator, at (610) 779-4005. West Grove 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Childrens Chapel, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 290 State Road, West Grove. Further information is available from John Colgan at johnfcolgan@gmail.com. Additional information on all St. Josephs People chapters is available at www.josephspeople.org.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Many New Job Assistance Workshops, Job Fairs and Job Openings Report April Unemployed and underemployed persons seeking education and training in career planning, along with employment assistance for veterans, ex-offenders and persons with disabilities, can take advantage of a broad series of monthly workshops offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor CareerLink at its Chester County office in Coatesville. These trainings include a new Resume Re-Invention Workshop for Professionals, Overcoming the Age Barrier, Job Search and Networking Online, along with an orientation presentation as to what PA CareerLink has to offer. Job fair opportunities also posted to the Calendar A full calendar of PA CareerLink-Chester County workshops is available at www.pacareerlinkchesco.org/calendar. Persons interested in seminars may register at (610) 384-9393. A several-page monthly consolidated Job Openings Report and statistical information on the local labor market are available http://chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/17068. Daily position openings updates are available through www.cwds.state.pa.us. Websites for additional county PA CareerLink offices in the area, at which many services are available to out-of-county residents, include:

- 16 -

Berks: www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/CareerLink/Pages/default.aspx Delaware: www.delcoworks.org Lancaster: www.jobs4lancaster.com Montgomery: www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1024

Summer Youth Camps Signups Underway Registrations are underway for both the summer State Police Camp Cadet, and Camp Dreamcatcher for HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected youth. Camp Cadet, for youth ages 12 to 15, or 11 to 13 in Chester County, is designed to introduce participants to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship between youth and law enforcement personnel. It is structured similar to training at the police academy and focuses on discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, drug and alcohol education, violence prevention and many other issues facing todays youth. Further information about locations throughout the state and registration information for limited enrollment are available at www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=4451&&PageID=461143& mode=2. Camp Dreamcatcher, held the week of August 17-23 at Camp Saginaw at Oxford, provides therapeutic and educational programs for HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected youth from ages five to 17 in age-appropriate groups. Further information is available at www.campdreamcatcher.org, campdreamcatcher@kennett.net or (610) 925-2998.

Chester County Joins Phone App Community Chester County has released both iPhone and Android apps to assist individuals with obtaining information on some county services. Current links include County government news, a calendar of meetings, events and health clinics, County parks and trails, courts information, emergency alerts through ReadyNotify PA, a directory of social services, land use planning, details and locations of all Chester County government department offices, available County jobs, inspection reports for all restaurants and food handling operations, and links to Chester Countys social media communication and YouTube channel. Seasonal functions, such as election results, will be added during the year. The free app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and can be found by Chesco or ChescoCONNECT key word search. Chester joins Montgomery County which unveiled its government app, Go Montco, last August that includes News, Calendar, Parks & Trails, Staff Directory, Frequently Asked Questions, Requests for Proposals and Bids, Jobs and more.

- 17 -

A Lancaster County Exploration Guide also is available through the Pennsylvania Dutch Country tourism program.

1-(800) FIX-ROAD Pothole Reports Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) receives information on needed pothole repair by telephone or e-mail. The service, that also includes reporting of stormwater and drainage concerns and trafficrelated concerns, or property damage incurred by PennDOToperations, is available at (800) FIX-ROAD, (800) 349-7623 or www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/web.nsf/HomepageWithFooter?OpenFrameSet&Frame=main& Src=%2FInternet%2Fweb.nsf%2FContactUsCCC%3FOpenForm%26AutoFramed. Municipal road issues should be reported to local governments.

Services Expansion of Free Southern Chester County Ride For Health Initiative The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation have expanded their Ride for Health Initiative (RFHI) in Southern Chester County to include trips for human and social services needs in addition to the earlier healthcare focus. The service provides taxi or public transit trips for eligible residents of Avon Grove, Kennett, Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to health and human and social services sites, including those in Kennett Square, West Chester and Coatesville. Scheduled transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Kennett Area Community Service, 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square. Earlier information is available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/11025705744041463/FREE+Medical+Transportation.pdf or (610) 925-3556. Information also is available from partner agencies at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/11025705744041419/RFHI+Flyer+%28English%29_8+23+13.pdf. Information on a similar Phoenixville area initiative that has been in existence since 2000 is available at http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/11025705744041464/ride+for+health+brochure.pdf.

Flu Cases Alert Downgraded from Widespread to Regional Pennsylvania Department of Health has downgraded this years flu status from widespread to regional, with the weekly number of case reports having dropped below 1,000. The H1N1 virus, known as the Swine Flu, is dominant in all but six percent of the states cases. The number of reported cases, however, is considered generally to be much less than actual numbers due to individual situations. A weekly report by Pennsylvania counties is available at www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=557490&mode=2, with federal information available at http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00359.asp.

- 18 -

Vaccinations for anyone six months of age and older remain available at many locations. Further information is available at www.flufreepa.com/portal/server.pt/community/influenza_%28flu%29/14161/pa_influenza _weekly_report/557490 or local county health departments or state health clinics.

Lead-Based Paint Mitigation Funding Program Starts Chester County Department of Health has initiated a funding initiative for eligible homeowners and landlords to receive at least 90% of the costs for removing lead hazards in homes with children. Home occupants meeting 80% of federal Area Median Income guidelines (up to $44,150 annually for an individual or $63,050 for a family of four, as examples) may be eligible if a property is in Chester County, constructed before 1978, and a child under the age of six lives in the home, is expected to live in the home, or visits more than six hours per week. Further information is available at http://pachestercounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/16098 or from Kevin Zeeger, lead hazard control program coordinator, at kzeeger@chesco.org or (610) 344-6725.

Pennsylvania House Republicans Soliciting Online Questions on Next State Budget Proposal Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republicans for the first time is soliciting online questions from state residents on various aspects of a $29.4 billion state budget proposed earlier this month by Gov. Corbett. In addition to regular budget hearings, Pennsylvanians can submit questions they would like top cabinet officials of state government to address during House Appropriations Committee budget hearings. Further information on the proposed budget and the process is available at www.pabudget.com/participation.aspx?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_ter m=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pabudget.com%2fparticipation.aspx&utm_campaign=Governor+P resents+Budget+Proposal+to+Lawmakers.

Free Online Meteorologist Adventure for Young People Available PLAN!T NOWs Young Meteorologist Program takes youth on an online severe weather preparedness adventure in which they encounter lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and winter storms all while learning about severe weather science and safety. Developed in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service and the National Education Association, the Young Meteorologist Program is said to offer a safe, non-threatening learning environment that shows kids what they need to do to prepare now to protect themselves and help their families when a real storm comes. The site, which also includes material for educators and information on how to become a meteorologist, is available at www.youngmeteorologist.org/?page_id=18.

- 19 -

Please Note: New and Updated tags refer only to the time of appearance of information in these
E-Updates. Some on-going activities may have been in existence for some time and are being listed for awareness.

Letting People Know/Making a Difference - Ongoing Feedback indicates that a lack of communications tools is a primary deficiency in bringing community services providers and those needing information together. If you know of an activity designed to have a real impact on families (this includes individuals and youth) that we should be aware of or might be interested in reporting in these periodic e-mail updates, please let me know, either with details or a web site link. In order to maintain its value, this forum currently is a subjective, selective distribution so all information submitted may not be used. Also, if you know someone who might be helped by these periodic updates, please forward all or selected portions as you feel appropriate. If you would like to be added to or removed from this list, please hit reply and advise by typing "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" or something similar in the Subject line. Events listed are based on subject matter related to activities impacting families and is based on information reported to us. No endorsement is made or implied. Suggestions for improvements are encouraged. We currently are developing a more advanced electronic communications method for this type of material that will have more expansive yet less obtrusive characteristics. Please stay tuned. To submit materials for publication, please refer to the guidelines that follow.

Blessings Casey
Casey Jones Transformation Initiative Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families (610) 707-1494 / bps461@msn.com

General Guidelines for Information Submission: Submission up to two to three months prior to the event is encouraged to increase exposure for new subscribers, persons who don't read the list every week, and for other organizations that want to avoid scheduling opposite an event or might want to collaborate with another in the area. For annual events, longer lead times may be appropriate. Our deadline generally is the Friday before the week of publication. A general idea of the information needed (many submit too little for the consumer to understand what actually is occurring and why they might like to attend) can be obtained by perusing the publications or using the following guide: Please use full names followed, if appropriate, by acronyms in parenthesis.

Name of Event: Date(s) - Include both day(s) of week and actual dates: Times (Starting and ending): Location (Including any applicable room number, particularly in a large facility, and a Mapquest or Google Maps searchable address: Sponsoring Organization(s), if not part of the location address: Participant Eligibility (Ages, gender, etc.): Description of Activities and, as applicable, the presenter and the purpose of the event (Two to three descriptive sentences with the most appealing information; please avoid superfluous words such as "wonderful", "great", etc.): Any Fees, including free-will offerings: Contact name, e-mail, telephone, along with any web page that is focused primarily on the specific activity: Any registration requirements:

- 20 -

We generally use only free activities of a non-commercial nature or those in which a very small materials fee is charged.

Fund-raising activities generally are not published unless there is a good mixture of free activities also available, including free admission, and a participant has the choice of purchasing incidental items, such as food or crafts. Church events generally are published only if they are separate from normal weekly worship services.

Due to the wide variety of activities available, decisions on publication ultimately are determined on a case-by-case basis in context with focus of the publications.