Local Service That Makes a Difference

programs for adults and youths. “The hope was to keep the momentum going through summer,” Dorville said.

He emphasized that Midweek Encounter and SPARK in the Park are open to the community, not just church members. “One of the big (goals) of this church is to provide opportunities for the community to come together and be a blessing to other people,” said Dorville.

An extra benefit is to introduce the church to those who are searching for a place to worship. “We want to make them feel comfort- able coming to church because that can be the hardest part,” Dorville noted.

During each SPARK program, a member of the church’s outreach team will host the event. “We have a quick, informal prayer and give instructions for what is taking place,” said Dorville, noting that the event was well attended in its inaugural session. “Last year, we had ‘make your own birdhouses’ for Eastern bluebirds, and we had 50 to 60 people (in attendance). The Community Band and bingo was also a big hit.”

A new SPARK program this year will be Open Mic Night on July 12. Those who would like to perform are asked to register by emailing pastoreric@penningtonvillechurch.org. The deadline to register is Sunday, July 2.

“It is open to everybodywhether it is a singer, guitarist, spoken word (artist) or (people reading) poetry,” Dorville noted.

In addition to those already mentioned, upcoming SPARK programs will include the following: July 5, kickball, soccer and wiffleball; July 19, bingo; July 26, yoga; Aug. 2, first aid and CPR course; Aug. 9, make you own terrarium; Aug. 16, water wars and obstacle course; and Aug. 23, Movie Night.

In the case of rain, some events may be moved inside the church. Cancellation information will be posted on the church’s website and Facebook page. All events are free, but a freewill offering will be received.

Penningtonville Presbyterian Church is located at 406 Main St., Atglen. For more information, call 610-5932173 or visit www.penning tonvillechurch.org or www.facebook.com/Penning tonvillePC.

The Chester County Women’s Commission (CCWC) selected and provided grant funding to four organizations to support and enhance programming that benefits women and mental health in Chester County. The grants were announced during the May 18 Women in Chester County Blueprint Lunch Series hosted by The Fund for Women and Girls. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the May lunch event focused on women and mental wellness. The CCWC’s focus for 2023 is highlighting and recognizing the unique needs and intersection of women and mental health.

The four organizations that received grants of $2,500 each are Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), LCH Health & Community Services (LCH), Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC), and Project Healing Hive. All of these organizations offer mental health and wellness programs specifically designed for women around Chester County.

CVIM hosts a monthly group, Cafecitos, during which female patients receive education to improve their health and the health of their children. LCH offers Women in Action, an ongoing group designed to help women learn new, more effective ways to build healthier relationships and make room for more balanced authenticity in their lives. MCHC’s Healthy Start program has a therapist that supports those who are pregnant and parenting to ensure access to perinatal services and to support socioemotional strength. Project Healing Hive has a Surviving to Thriving Women’s Health Meet-up, where women come together and support their own healing journey while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

CCWC president Meghan McVety and CCWC member and The Fund executive director Kim Andrews were present for the grant recognition. For information on future lunch events hosted by The Fund for Women and Girls, visit www. thefundcc.org.

Registration is currently underway for grades nine and 10, which will follow a traditional model, meeting in person on Mondays through Fridays. Like the other grades, classes will include art, music, physical education, Bible, Spanish and electives.

WFCS, which formed in 1941, currently offers preschool through eighth grade, but a decision was made to add grades nine and 10. “Together the board and the administration heard the needs of our community,” said Furlong, explaining how the decision came about to offer the additional grades. “It has always been a vision and part of the strategic plan to open up a high school. God really opened the doors and encouraged us to make this happen for this fall.”

For the 2023-24 school year, the high school students will use classrooms in the existing space. “As the program continues to grow, we do have space we can grow into,” noted Furlong. “The gymnasium was built 15 years ago, so the (classroom) space is there; it just needs to be finished.”

The school has hired new high school teachers, as well as high school administrator Kendra Ridgway, who previously taught at WFCS. She will teach English for grades nine and 10, and work as the coordinator of the high school program. “I’m glad to be back and really looking forward to teaching again,” said Ridgway.

Furlong said that WFCS is attractive to parents who are seeking a nurturing environment for their children. “We are relational. We partner with home, school and church to offer students a wellrounded Christian education,” she said, noting that the average class size is 18 students.

“We infuse biblical principles in all aspects of our day and our curriculum. We have a specific Bible class each day and chapel services each week.”

“I think one of our strengths is small class sizes.

It allows the teachers to be able to get to know the kids individually and their individual learning needs,” Ridgway added. “We are intentional about providing quality academics. Our goal is to make sure we are sending students out prepared for their future. From a spiritual aspect, high school is a very formative time for developing your faith and making it your own. We want to give a place for students to have space to grow in their faith and learn how to relate to the people around them.”

WFCS, located at 795 Fallowfield Road, Atglen, serves students from the Avon Grove, Coatesville, Octorara, Oxford, Pequea Valley, Solanco and Unionville-Chadds Ford area school districts. Busing is provided, and financial aid is available. For more information, visit www.wfcs.org. Parents and prospective students interested in setting up a tour of the school are asked to call the office at 610-593-5011.