Graduates of the 16-week Getting Ahead program, taught by Kennett Area Community Services, celebrated their achievement on Feb. 20 at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville.
“One of our graduates is a father of Kennett High School students and is getting ready to buy his first house,” said Leah Reynolds, executive director of KACS.
Getting Ahead is a part of a larger program, Bridges out of Poverty and works with participants to examine all areas of their lives. Through self-reflection, they review their values, resources and hidden rules that guide their choices.
“We help the participants see what they can do. We help them navigate resources and their personal challenges,” said Reynolds. “KACS has programs that give people a hand up, like food and emergency assistance, but this program is more about walking with people to help them identify what they need, educate them on available community resources and encourage them to take that next step.”
Another Bridges program created the Transportation Discovery Work Group with Southern Chester County Opportunity Network.
“Volunteers spoke with SCCOOT bus drivers to look for passengers who might not know to wave, and trained riders on how to ride a bus,” said Reynolds, sharing how the workgroup collaborated with SCCOOT to get bus stops at key community resources like KACS and La Comunidad Hispana.
To bring focus to issues raised by Getting Ahead participants, an Employment and Economic Development Discovery Workgroup of the SCCON will be meeting at KACS offices on March 17 at 7:30 a.m.
“We’re recruiting all types of people to participate – especially people who want to create a positive impact in our area. They could be in employers, business groups, work in human relations or simply have a passion for helping create some solutions.” According to SCCON, the workgroups work to find solutions to break the cycle of poverty.
“At KACS we depend on the generosity of the community to keep these programs going,” said Reynolds. Their Empty Bowls, Full Hearts fundraiser is being held on Feb. 27 at the Red Clay Room. “Senior citizens, school students and local artisans have handcrafted bowls. Buy a ticket for lunch or dinner, pick out a bowl and enjoy your soup with a short program.”
The event also features a silent and live auction. For more information on the event or to participate in programs reach out to KACS at https://www.kacsonline.net/.
About Karen Myers
Karen Myers lives in Pocopson Township and has written for several local publications. A strong supporter of our community, Karen has served on several non-profit boards, such as Pocopson Elementary PTO, The United Way of Southern Chester County, Chester County Art Association and Tick Tock Early Learning Center. She received her M.B.A. from the University of Delaware and worked in marketing and operations with a focus on banking.
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