About Us

Our History & Heritage

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

History

Now a community foundation, PAHWF is building on 20 years of serving Pottstown Area residents.

Building a Foundation


July 2003 – The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation founded as the result of the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center to Community Health Systems.

June 2004 – First Community Health Needs Assessment completed

July 2004 – First grant approved to United Way of Western Montgomery County – $50,000 challenge grant

August 20, 2004 – The Foundation received approval from Judge Ott, Montgomery County Orphan’s Court

September 2004 – Established an active grantmaking approach and identified six tactics

Fall 2004 – First round of Grants: 47 Letters of intent received = $2,411,543; 22 Grants approved = $842,645

April 2005 – The Foundation received Certificate of Merit from the National Health, Wellness & Prevention Congress

 

Moving Forward

November 1, 2005 – Moved into new location at 152 East High Street

November 2005 – First Annual Report completed, “New Beginnings – A lifetime of commitment to healthy living”

August 2006 – Opening of new 1.8-mile section of Schuylkill River Trail, funded by the Foundation

October 10, 2006 – Approval of first Orphan’s Court three-year report

2007 – Developed school collaborative group through bi-annual meetings; Partnered with other funders to create Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK) partnership; Initiated and developed partnership with the Nonprofit Center at LaSalle in Pottstown to support non-profit training and capacity building.

 

Setting the Pace

January 3, 2007 – Premier airing of Mission: Good Nutrition (MGN) TV show on Pottstown Cable TV 
April 2007 – First Annual Diamond Partnership with Pottstown Memorial Medical Center 
June 2008 – Schuylkill River Trail Signage project complete
September 2008 – Grand opening of Creative Health Services (CHS), co-located with CHDC. Funding provided by the Foundation.
October 27, 2008 – Grand opening of the Community Health & Dental Care (CHDC), co-located with CHS. Funding provided by the Foundation.November 2008 – Foundation received the “2008 National Trails Symposium for Health Award”December 2008 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 140 patients

2009 – Received Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 2009 Community Health Agency Award

April 30, 2009 – 5th Anniversary Luncheon for grantees and community leaders.

June 2009 – Annual Physical Education Conference held at Boyertown Senior High School. Evolved into the two-day Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute in 2013.

July 2009 – Released second Community Health Needs Assessment

November 2009 – The Foundation participated in a five-year study conducted by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR); PA Outdoor Recreation Plan released
June 9, 2010 – Community Health & Dental Care Inc. (CHDC) received Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) approval letter
Fall 2010 – Introduced “Well Informed,” a new quarterly online community benefit report


Expanding Our Reach

January 2011 – Held TriCounty Health Council (TCHC) interest meeting
October 2012 – Approval of 3rd and final Orphan’s Court three-year submission
January 2013 – Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation launched a three-year mini grant program on behalf of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), for capital improvements in the parks.
August 6-7, 2013 – First annual Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute (continuation of Boyertown School District PE Conference)

A Decade of Progress

October 2013 – Celebrated 10th Anniversary of the Foundation
2013 – Launched a mini grant program with Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for capital improvements in local parks.
2014 – DCNR awarded Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee (PMRPC) a five-year grant to hire a Regional Recreation Coordinator. Six municipalities participated in this cooperative effort to improve recreation amenities in the region.
March 2014 – Pottstown School District’s PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness) program received a $175,000 planning grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. PEAK impacts approximately 341 three- and four-year-old students.
April 2014 – Initiated “Fit for Life” Program with the Pottstown Mercury
June 2014 – Pottstown Borough awarded $1 million grant for Walk/Bike Pottstown project
2017 – TCN challenge grant for the Amazing Raise.
2018 - Conducted third Community Health Needs Assessment2019 – Hosted urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel.

2020 – Funded study on transportation alternatives & trackless tram.

2020-21 – Pandemic Response

  • Grant to Foundation for Pottstown Education for Pottstown School District Laptops
  • Town Hall Meetings: Vaccine Access for Communities of Color & Spanish-Language Town Hall
  • COVID Relief & Recovery Fund

2022 –  Launched Pottstown Play Streets Collaborative

2023 – Began transitioning to a Community Foundation

2024 – Launched Pottstown Community Voices Grant Fund based on findings from the Pottstown Community Survey health needs assessment.

Around the Community

Partner Impact Profiles

See how are grantees are making a positive impact in the greater Pottstown area.

PARRC PATH

Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee

PARRC projects have included new playground equipment, trail improvements, plantings, and even a new floating dock.

A mother holds her baby.

Maternal & Child Health Consortium

Through the years, Maternal and Child Health Consortium has helped Pottstown children and their families thrive.

room at Mission Kids

Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center of MontCo

Mission Kids offers a dedicated, child-friendly setting to achieve healing and justice for victims of child abuse.