Lend a Hand

 

How are your 2020 New Year’s resolutions going? If you’re like many, you’re sliding a bit. But it’s not too late to resolve to volunteer this year.

The Chester County area is full of groups doing good work and making a difference. By
volunteering you can give back and gain valuable life experience, plus further the mission of rescuing animals, conserving open space, helping others and plenty more.

Here are some organizations with volunteer opportunities to inspire you to give back this year.

 

Animal Rescues

All 4 Paws: Finding new homes for needy animals. Chester Springs. 610-731-1086; All4PawsRescue.com.

Brandywine Valley SPCA: No-kill, open admission shelter finding pets forever homes. 1212 Phoenixville Pk., West Chester. 484-302-0865; BVSPCA.org.

Finding Shelter Animal Rescue: Placing dogs and cats in new homes permanently. 1212 Phoenixville Pk., West Chester. 610-272-2293; FindingShelter.org.

Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue: Rescuing animals from abuse and providing them with food, shelter and healthcare. 246 Clonmell Upland Rd., West Grove. GreenmoreRescue.org.

LaMancha Animal Rescue: Rescuing animals and finding them new forever homes. 855 Doe Run Rd., Coatesville. 610-384-7976; LaManchaAnimalRescue.org.

Main Line Animal Rescue: Helping eliminate animal abuse and homelessness. Finding pets new homes. 1149 Pike Springs Rd., Phoenixville. 610-933-0606; MLAR.org.

Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines: Providing retirement for horses, including those rescued from abuse. 1710 Ridge Rd., Pottstown. 866-469-0507; RyerssFarm.org.

Treetops Kitty Café: Finding permanent homes for rescued cats from high-kill shelters. 305 W. State St., Kennett Square. 610-925-2908; TreetopsKittyCafe.com.

Wolf Sanctuary of PA: Protecting and rescuing gray wolves and wolf dogs. 465 Speedwell Forge Rd., Lititz. 717-626-4617; WolfSanctuaryPA.org.

 

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Chester County Art Assn: Educating, connecting the community through the arts.
100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester. 610-696-5600; ChesterCountyArts.org.

Chester County Historical Society: Preserving and sharing the County’s past.225 N. High St., West Chester. 610-692-4800; ChesterCoHistorical.org.

Colonial Theatre: Presenting exceptional film and performance in Phoenixville. 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. 610-917-1228; TheColonialTheatre.com.

Community Arts Center: Opportunities for all to create and enjoy the visual arts. 414 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford. 610-566-1713; CommunityArtsCenter.org.

Darlington Arts Center: Instruction, outreach programs and performances for the community. 977 Shavertown Rd., Garnet Valley. 610-358-3632; DarlingtonArts.org.

Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society: Bringing improvisational murder mysteries, stage plays and other entertainment to the community. Kennett Square. CallKATS.org.

People’s Light: Live theater and arts education programs. 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern. 610-644-3500; PeoplesLight.org.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center: Live performance, film and community. 226 N. High St., West Chester. 610-356-2787;
UptownWestChester.org.

Wayne Art Center: Arts, education, exhibitions and outreach for the community. 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne. 610-688-3553; WayneArt.org.

 

Education & Youth Services

Boy Scouts of Chester County & Girl Scouts of Eastern PA: Serving young people in our area. 226 Exton Square Mall, Exton. 610-696-2900; CCCBSA.org. Headquarters, Shelly Ridge Serv. Cntr., 330 Manor Rd., Miquon.
215-564-2030; GSEP.org.

Camp Dreamcatcher: Safe and tolerant environment for youth and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. 148 W. State St., Ste. 104, Kennett Square. 610-925-2998; CampDreamcatcher.org.

Camphill School: Education, extended family living and therapy for youth with developmental disabilities. 1784 Fairview Rd., Glenmoore. 610-469-9236; CamphillSchool.org.

The Garage Community & Youth Center: After-school programs for teens. 115 S. Union St., Kennett Square. 610-444-6464; GarageYouthCenter.org.

Kennett Education Foundation: Encourage ideas, invest in programs, promote family involvement and recognize educators’ achievements, in partnership with the Kennett Consolidated School District. 610-388-0177; KennettEducationFoundation.org.

Operation Warm: Giving brand new winter coats to children in need. 6 Dickinson Dr., Ste. 314, Chadds Ford. 1-800-730-9276; OperationWarm.org.

 

Preservation efforts

Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates: Preserving and educating the public about this battle site. 1491 Baltimore Pk., Chadds Ford. 610-459-3342; BrandywineBattlefield.org.

French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust: Preserving, stewarding and connecting people to the land in northern Chester County. 511 Kimberton Rd., Phoenixville. 610-933-7577; FrenchAndPickering.org.

Green Valleys Watershed Association: Protecting natural watersheds of northern Chester County. 1368 Prizer Rd., Pottstown. 610-469-4900; GreenValleys.org.

Historic Sugartown: Inspiring engagement with the past through a 19th-century village. 690 Sugartown Rd., Malvern. 610-640-2667; HistoricSugartown.org.

Historic Yellow Springs: Sharing and preserving the living village of Yellow Springs. 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. 610-827-7414; YellowSprings.org.

The Mill at Anselma: Preserving a historic site that showcases Pennsylvania’s cultural history. 1730 Conestoga Rd., Chester Springs. 610-827-1900; AnselmaMill.org.

Natural Lands: Preserving and nurturing nature. 1031 Palmers Mill Rd., Media. 610-353-5587; NatLands.org.

Stroud Center for Water Research: Stewardship of freshwater systems. 970 Spencer Rd., Avondale. 610-268-2153; StroudCenter.org.

Valley Forge Audubon Society: Preserving birds, wildlife and their habitats. 1201 Pawlings Rd., Audubon. PA.Audubon.org.

William Brinton 1704 House: Preserving a restored Quaker home and sharing its history. 21 Oakland Rd., West Chester. 610-399-0913; BrintonFamily.org.

 

Health

Chester County Hospital: Care for the health and wellness of the County. 701 E. Marshall St., West Chester. 610-431-5000; ChesterCountyHospital.org.

Community Volunteers in Medicine: Free healthcare to low-income individuals and families. 300B Lawrence Dr., West Chester. 610-836-5990; CVIM.org.

Connect Thru Cancer: Free services to individuals and families living with cancer. 20 W. Miner St., West Chester. 484-301-3047; ConnectThruCancer.org.

DE Breast Cancer Coalition: Programs and services for those affected by breast cancer. 100 W. 10th St., Ste. 209, Wilmington. 302-778-1102; DEBreastCancer.org.

Kisses for Kyle: Providing financial assistance to families battling childhood cancer. 3959 Welsh Rd., Ste. 315, Willow Grove. 267-210-1489; KissesForKyle.org.

Maternal & Child Health Consortium of Chester County: High-quality health care for pregnant and parenting women. 30 W. Barnard St., Ste. 1, West Chester. 610-344-5370; CCMCHC.org.

 

Homelessness & Food Insecurity

Act in Faith of Greater West Chester: Empowering un- and under-employed to stabilize households and build self-sustainability. 212 S. High St., West Chester. 484-324-8492; ActInFaithGW.org.

Bridge of Hope: Ending homelessness through help from partners. 1 N. Bacton Hill Rd., Ste. 100, Malvern. 610-280-0280; BridgeOfHopeInc.org.

Chester County Food Bank: Addressing food insecurity in Chester County. 650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton. 610-873-6000; ChesterCountyFoodBank.org.

Family Promise of Southern Chester County: Working to end homelessness by providing meals, shelter, resources and mentorship. 1156 W. Baltimore Pk., Kennett Square. 610-444-0400; FamilyPromisesCC.org.

Friends Association: Programs to prevent homelessness and promote independence of families with children. 113 West Chestnut St., West Chester. 610-431-3598; FriendsAssoc.org.

Good Works: Repairing homes for low-income homeowners. Main office, 544 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville. 610-383-6311; GoodWorksInc.org.

Good Samaritan services: Helping those at risk of, and those experiencing, homelessness. 141 High St., Phoenixville. 610-933-9305; GoodSamServices.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County: Affordable living for low-income families. 1847 East Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville. 610-384-7993; HFHCC.org.

Kennett Area Community Service: Connecting neighbors in need with food, shelter and a path forward. 138 W. Cedar St., Kennett Square. 610-925-3556; KACSOnline.net.

Lord’s Pantry of Downingtown: Serving families with non-perishables, meats, fresh vegetables and dairy products, and paper and personal items. 141 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. 610-863-1149; LordsPantryofDowningtown.org.

Phoenixville Area Community Services: Helping people overcome food insecurity. 257 Church St., Phoenixville. 610-933-1105; PACSPhx.org.

Safe Harbor of Chester County: Helping the homeless by helping them overcome the issues leading to homelessness. 20 N. Matlack St., West Chester. 610-692-6550; SafeHarborOfGWC.org.

WCU Resource Pantry: Supporting students’ success by minimizing food and basic need security and preparing students for life after graduation. 700 S. High St., West Chester. 610-436-2378; WCUPa.edu.

 

Human Services

Chester County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition: Fighting slavery through awareness, legislation, and referral services for victims. West Chester. info@ccatofpa.org; CCATOfPa.org.

Chester County Interlink (CCIL): Affordable electronic access to information for Chester County residents and organizations. 701 E. Marshall St., West Chester. 484-238-0579; CCIL.org.

Care Center Foundation: Aiding low-income families through education and social uplift programs. 127–129 S. Matlack St., West Chester. 610-436-6226; CareCenterFoundation.org.

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC): Helping economically disadvantaged individuals. 22 N. 5th Ave., Coatesville. 610-692-2344; CCOIC.org.

Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: Programs, intervention and advocacy to combat domestic violence. 1001 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville. 610-384-2774; DVCCCPa.org.

La Comunidad Hispana: Supporting families with medical care, social assistance, education and job skills. 731 W. Cypress St., Kennett Square. 610-444-7550; LaComunidadHispana.org.

Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center: Assisting people experiencing crisis or sudden hardship. 35 N. 3^rd St., Oxford. 610-932-8557; OxfordNSC.org.

United Way of Chester County: Uniting people and mobilizing resources to build better lives and stronger communities. 495 Thomas Jones Way, Ste. 302, Exton. 610-429-9400; UnitedWayChesterCounty.org.

 

Services for People with Disabilities

Arc of Chester County: Advocating, educating and providing services to empower individuals with disabilities. 900 Lawrence Dr., West Chester. 610-696-8090; ArcOfChesterCounty.org.

Barn at Spring Brook Farm: Enriching the lives of children with disabilities through animal-assisted activities. 360 Locust Grove Rd., West Chester. 610-793-1037; SpringBrook-Farm.org.

Canine Partners for Life: Training service and companion dogs to aid individuals with disabilities. Cochranville. 610-869-4902; K94Life.org.

Handi-Crafters: Helping individuals with disabilities be more independent. 215–225 Barley Sheaf Rd., Thorndale. 610-384-6990; Handi-Crafters.org.

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy: Assisting individuals with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding. 1800 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. 610-827-0931; Hope-Springs.org.

QUEST Therapeutic Services: Pediatric horseback riding therapy. 461 Cann Rd., West Chester. 610-692-6362; QuestTherapeutic.com.

Thorncroft Equestrian Center: Therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities. 190 Line Rd., Malvern. 610-644-1963; ThorncroftEquestrianCenter.org.

 

Seniors

The Hickman: Providing excellent care to the residents of West Chester and the surrounding areas. 400 N. Walnut St., West Chester. 484-760-6300; TheHickman.org.

Meals on Wheels: Supporting community-based programs to address senior isolation and hunger. 404 Willowbrook Ln., West Chester. 610-430-8500; MOWCC.org.

Surrey Services: Helping seniors live with independence and dignity. Multiple locations. SurreyServices.org.

West Chester Area Senior Center: Activities, education and nourishment for seniors. 530 E. Union St., West Chester. 610-431-4242; WCSeniors.org.

 

Veterans

Veterans Multi-Service Center: Comprehensive services for military veterans and families. 797 E. Lincoln Hwy., Ste. 12, Downingtown. 610-384-8387; VMCenter.org.

Veterans Of Foreign Wars: Serving and advocating for veterans, the military and local communities. Locations in West Chester, Downingtown, Kennett Square and Media. VFW.org.

 

Women & Girls

Chester County Fund for Women and Girls: Ensuring women and girls have resources and opportunities to thrive. 113 E. Evans St., Ste. A, West Chester. 484-356-0940; CCWomenAndGirls.org.

Home of the Sparrow: Supporting single women and mothers experiencing or threatened by homelessness. 969 Swedesford Rd., Exton. 610-647-4940; HomeOfTheSparrow.org.

Wings for Success: Providing work-appropriate attire for women seeking jobs. Offices in Frazer and Kennett Square. 610-644-6323; WingsForSuccess.org.

Young Moms: Support and services for young moms. 111 Marshall St., Kennett Square. 855-964-6667; YoungMomsCommunity.com. 

 

Go to ChesCoCF.org/Give/Volunteer-Opportunities or for more volunteer options.