PAHWF: Community Strong
Since our recent transition to a community foundation, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation (PAHWF) continues to realize the value of becoming a public charity. During this season of gratitude, we reflect on the amazing opportunities PAHWF and its partners have made possible for our community. And, we joyfully anticipate a new year filled with chances to do even greater good.
Evolving from a private foundation to a community foundation already has broadened our capacity to serve the Pottstown region. We continue to expand our reach, obtain more funding, and align our strategies with the community’s unique and diverse needs. Together with our donors, partners, and community members, PAHWF has positively empowered a thriving, equitable community that prioritizes health and wellness.
A Growing List of Beneficiaries
As we consider the progress made over the years, we are proud of the network of resources we have established. One of our biggest successes is the Community Health and Dental Care clinic. Since 2008 when they opened their doors to 39 patients to today when they serve approximately 300 patients daily, with PAHWF’s support, they have met the health needs of our community, regardless of patient financial constraints.
Our partnership with Boyertown Area Multi-Service organization has enabled us to assist over 350 households with monthly food donations. Beyond providing food, PAHWF grants support programs focused on healthy eating and nutrition education. We ensure community members have access to nutritious options that go beyond simply satisfying hunger to promoting health. Our community foundation status strengthens our ability to combat food insecurity.
PAHWF has been able to elevate our youth in countless ways, empowering them to act on their dreams and carve a path for their future. YWCA Tri-County Area, one of the longest-term grantees in the foundation’s history, began its youth program with a dozen girls, and grew the program to include helping hundreds of kids of all ages. As a community foundation, we have been able to expand our youth programs and the opportunities they bring. From mentoring programs to recreational activities, we help kids grow into confident, resilient members of our community. Through this support, our children learn they can make a difference as they personally cultivate positive change in their lives.
For nonprofit and for-profit local businesses, we offer diverse initiatives and grants to expand their opportunities. And PAHWF preserves and promotes the natural environment in which we live, ensuring beautified surroundings for generations to come. Through projects like the Schuylkill River Trail, we enhance and preserve access to spaces where individuals can connect with nature and neighbor.
Impactful Support
With too many success stories to mention, the history of PAHWF is a testament to the power of teamwork. Our Seeds of Change video is an inspiring testimony from those we directly serve. PAHWF President Dave Kraybill attests, “As a community foundation, we already have been able to deepen our impact and extend our reach in ways that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people we serve. Every grant, every donation, every dollar matters. Together, we are weaving a stronger, healthier future.”
By supporting PAHWF, you invest in a foundation with a proven track record of success while becoming part of a larger movement to uplift the community. We thrive on generous donations from our partners, which help continue our mission of fostering the community’s health and wellness.
Learn more about the PAHWF’s initiatives and consider getting involved. There is so much to learn and enjoy. The PAHWF website provides detailed information about the foundation’s programs, grantmaking efforts, and upcoming events. We are committed to driving positive change across Pottstown and its surrounding areas. Be a part of it.
As they say—leave a penny, take a penny. PAHWF as a community foundation is always ready to help, thanks to all those who support us.