The Impact Issue | Fall 2022

HEAR FROM US

A message from Kevin Schreiber

How Nonprofit Leaders Are Developing

Change in YoCo

PROVIDING PATHS OF POSSIBILITY

Kim Bracey | CEO, YWCA York

LIVING COURAGEOUSLY IN & OUT

Gregory T. Miller | President & CEO, Penn-Mar Human Services

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITY

Robin Rohrbaugh | President & CEO, Community Progress Council

BUILDING STRONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES FOR CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES

Eric M. Chase | Executive Director & CEO, Children’s Aid Society

IMPACT

ON THE COVER

From Top Left, Clockwise: Kim Bracey (CEO, YWCA York)

Robin Rohrbaugh (President & CEO, Community Progress Council)

Eric M. Chase (Executive Director & CEO, Children’s Aid Society)

Gregory T. Miller (President & CEO, Penn-Mar Human Services).

BLOOM BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER

Helping Others Get a Second Chance

Melissa Plotkin | Executive Director, York County Reentry Coalition

YORK COUNTY TRAIL TOWNS

Shanna Hollich |

Director, Guthrie

Library

ADVOCACY

Addressing Affordable Housing Needs

Joyce Santiago | Executive Director, Affordable Housing Advocates

The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced electronically or in print without the express written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2022 York County Economic Alliance. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the specific written permission of the York County Economic Alliance.

Empowering Economic Success

Building a strong, dynamic, and sustainable economy depends on nurturing a culture that brings together for-profit and nonprofit businesses to create high quality economic opportunities for all. When the County’s 10-year Economic Action Plan was created, the goal was to create a sustainable, equitable and dynamic economy that elevates well-being throughout YoCo. That is due in large partnership with nonprofits in our community who strive to empower all residents and support them in their journey to leading their best life.

In this issue, you’ll hear from a few doing just that:

Community Progress Council’s empowerment of individuals and families to move towards self-sufficiency,

Children’s Aid Society’s empowerment of children and their families to build stronger, healthier lives,

Penn-Mar Human Services’ empowerment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live courageously,

Each of these nonprofits focus on a different barrier to economic success for our community, but share one thing in common –exceptional leadership. In these features, you’ll hear those leaders speak to their passion for the mission, for the community, and for the people they serve. That theme continues in spotlights on the York County Reentry Coalition and Guthrie Memorial Library –two organizations dedicated to providing pathways to employment and removing barriers, as well as Affordable Housing Advocates, who knows that a stable home is step one in creating stable families.

These missions are vital in continuing the work of the York County Economic Action Plan by creating economic opportunities for all people, regardless of educational and cultural background. Additionally, they directly impact our workforce development. Penn-Mar places individuals in the workforce as we strive to ameliorate the labor shortage, heightened by the pandemic, and Children’s Aid Society is developing third shift care for families who work non-traditional hours. The work of the YWCA in childcare also supports families, while Community Progress Council provides services for economic self-sufficiency through affordable housing, early childhood education, and more – all areas we know are crucial to a thriving economy.

KEVIN SCHREIBER PRESIDENT & CEO

the IMPACT ISSUE

How Nonprofit Leaders Are DevEloping Transformative Change in YoCO

The nonprofits in YoCo work to empower and support our community’s residents in all capacities. On the following pages, we introduce you to some of the individuals leading organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in YoCo. Their efforts help local individuals and families overcome barriers, provide resources, and encourage all to live courageous lives. Our community wouldn’t be the same without their work, and the dedication of the teams they lead.

Kim Bracey CEO, YWCA York

“You can’t eliminate racism if people are living in poverty.”

ProvidIng Paths of PosSibIlity

BY JONATHAN DESMARAIS | DIRECTOR OF DOWNTOWN INC

KIM BRACEY

YWCA York

As the organization committed to eliminating racism and empowering women, YWCA York didn’t need to look far for their next CEO. Through her legacy as a proud alum of York High, a dedicated community leader, a member of the US Air Force, and former Mayor of York City, C. Kim Bracey embodies the organization’s ideals and missions.

What does the future hold for YWCA York and their new CEO? Expansion of programming and abounding possibilities. Looking to expand the organization’s capacity, Bracey explains, “I want to see girls who code and I want to see girls in government.” She also wants to position the YWCA as an equity leader, seeking a living wage for all of her staff, explaining, “you can’t eliminate racism if people are living in poverty.”

Her long list of initiatives and accomplishments aside, Bracey’s greatest joy in serving the City of York as its Mayor from 2009 to 2018 was her ability to empower young women to dream big. It is a common occurrence for women to stop Bracey on the streets of York City today, thanking her for the example she set years ago as York’s second female and first African-American Mayor. “I like to dream big and fill in the footsteps along the way,” Bracey explains. While her footsteps may define her legacy, they also provide a path forward for so many.

GREGORY T. MILLER

President & CEO, Penn-Mar Human Services

LIVING COURAGEOUSLY IN & OUT

BY KATIE MAHONEY | VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

“This has never been a job, it’s an extension of who I am,” shares Greg Miller, President and CEO of Penn-Mar Human Services. With the organization 34 years, Greg has grown with the organization as it evolved from three small community homes.

“Each time I needed to take the next step, it was available at Penn-Mar,” he shares. “When I got better at what I did, we got better at what we do as an organization.”

And what they do, is support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live courageously. “It could be someone who gets a job and now has a social network they never had before, or someone who moves into a place that is perfect for them. We work with them, not for them, to help them achieve what they want their life to look like,” explains Greg.

With a team of 600, Penn-Mar supports Northern Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania regions by helping individuals with disabilities explore more of the world around them than they have been accustomed to exploring on their own through programs like community living, day learning, employment, transiting youth, family & peer support, and respite services. “I’m very proud of our team,” shares Greg. “It’s part of the DNA of Penn-Mar that whatever we were doing today, we need to do it better tomorrow. We were ahead of the curve by 10-12 years on individualized community-based support (instead of large group facilities), which is now being Federally mandated.”

To support his team, Greg and Penn-Mar have launched an internal program, the Belonging Initiative, to celebrate each team member bringing their best, natural self to Penn-Mar each day, where they feel valued in the context of the larger team. “It’s not just what we say, but it’s how we are living it through the entire organization,” he explains.

In addition to the team, the community support is a significant factor in the success of Penn-Mar, and the individuals who benefit from their services. “We could not do what we do without the support our local communities,” shares Greg. “Come visit, we love to show people what we do.”

Greg Miller, President & CEO, Penn-Mar

“I’m very proud of our team. It’s part of the DNA of Penn-Mar that whatever we were doing today, we need to do it better tomorrow.

Empowering IndivIduals to Impact The ComMunity

President & CEO,Community Progress CouncilYCEA Board of Directors ROBIN ROHRBAUGH

BY JJ SHEFFER I DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Robin Rohrbaugh President and CEO, CPC

Robin Rohrbaugh looks at all the challenges and barriers of poverty and sees an opportunity to think holistically about addressing them in order to help people move toward self-sufficiency. As the President and CEO of Community Progress Council (CPC), Rohrbaugh is quick to point out that the organization’s mission statement doesn’t talk about poverty. “Our mission is to empower individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency and advocate for change to promote community growth,” she says.

There are about 45,000 people in York County living below the poverty line, and another 150,000 who live below the self-sufficiency level – struggling to pay their bills on a month-to-month basis without some form of public or private assistance, Rohrbaugh states. CPC’s approach to addressing this is to provide comprehensive, innovative services, directed by the individuals’ needs.

Rohrbaugh, who previously ran what was then known as the Healthy York County Coalition, will soon celebrate 10 years as head of CPC.

“This position is the purest form of social work that I’ve ever been involved in,” she says, “because it really looks holistically at the comprehensive needs of a person and a family in the context of their community.”

CPC redesigned their service delivery to be people-centered, transforming everything from data collection to communications between departments, training, management, and accounting. These changes have allowed them to meet people’s immediate needs and then build a plan and support system to put them on a path to self-sufficiency and independence. Under Rohrbaugh’s leadership, CPC serves all of York County, with nearly 30 locations.

The organization has an immediate economic impact in the community, but they’re also playing the long game for sustainable, systemic change. Serving 9,000 people annually through WIC and 650 children between Head Start and Early Head Start, CPC is the largest provider of services to low-income children under the age of five.

Rohrbaugh says that when CPC invests in a single mother and their child, for example, working with them for years to achieve self-sufficiency, the biggest impact on York’s economy is the opportunity to interrupt generational poverty. “That child, then…will have the experiences around education and employment, the role modeling and experiences that will prevent them from ever having to live in a similar situation to what they lived in as a child. Their children will not grow up in poverty,” she says. “We have the incredible opportunity to impact people’s lives and the economy of York County.”

“We have the incredible opPortunity to impact people’s lives and the EconOmy of York County.”

Building Stronger, Healthier Lives for Children and Their Families

BY KATIE MAHONEY

“I took this job to bring together my 30+ years of non-profit experience, and my desire to work with children, to give them a hand up to the future. I love my work. I love my job.”

After an eighteen-year professional career with the Boy Scouts of America, Eric was a few years from retirement, but felt God working on his heart to change the lives of children and their families. Six years later, his work is filling the gaps in care for children and their families in York, Adams and Franklin counties.

“I love what I do,” shares Eric M. Chase, Executive Director & CEO of the Children’s Aid Society

With the mission to empower children and their families to build stronger, healthier lives, Eric’s team measures themselves up to that goal every day, through several diverse programs. Their Crisis Nursery at the Lehman Center, one of three in the state of Pennsylvania and one of ninety in the country, offers short term respite care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for newborn to six years of age. “We also offer child centered creative art and play therapies, parent support groups in the community and the Incredible Years Parent Education and Dina School programs” explains Eric. Parent support and educational groups are also offered to parents in York County Prison.

Those are just a few of the vital programs offered to the community by the organization in its 35-year history of serving York. Eric’s vision includes lifting up other non-profits in the community to work collaboratively for greatest impact. The partnerships with Cornerstone Youth Home, and York C.A.R.E.S for the homeless are successful examples of how the CAS has done this. “We are constantly striving to be a beacon of hope in our communities,” he adds.

Whether leading or partnering, all programs reflect the Children’s Aid Society’s values:

These values will guide the next expansion for the Children’s Aid Society – a new $6 million-dollar facility is being planned in the Salem Square Neighborhood of York City. “The current Lehman Center building could become transitional housing for families, with Salem Square offering third-shift childcare from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., expanded respite and traditional childcare, community education space and meeting space, and expanded indoor and outdoor play areas for the children.” explains Chase. “To do this it will take the community to support the project and workforce recruitment will be vital, as frontline staff will be needed to keep all children safe and feel loved!”

HELPING OTHERS GET A SECOND CHANCE

Melissa Plotkin has always had a heart for service and has served her community in various ways including volunteering in college, working at the Rape & Victim Assistance Center early in her career, and now as the Executive Director of the York County Reentry Coalition. Although she has only held the role for about a year and a half, Melissa has led the coalition through many successes including strengthening relationships between those who have been previously incarcerated, service providers, employers, non-profits, faith-based organizations and government entities; raising funds to jumpstart the community education committee initiatives, including crafting a resource video series and website; and holding a Reentry Simulation in partnership with the Franklin County Reentry Coalition to show those in the community truly how many barriers reentrants face in almost every aspect of their lives.

PROGRAM MANAGER, BLOOM BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER

Melissa Plotkin Executive Director, York County Reentry Coalition

Another notable success for Melissa and the coalition was a recent Reentry Employer Roundtable discussion in partnership with the Manufacturer’s Association and the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center with the York County Economic Alliance for business and non-profit leaders, criminal justice advocates, and other partners. Amongst those who participated in the discussion, First Lady Frances Wolf shared her dedication to providing support to those who have been previously incarcerated as she highlighted Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed investment for women reentrants at the local level for the 2022-2023 state budget, the final budget provided $2 million for these critical reentry services.

In addition to these recent successes, Melissa and the York County Reentry Coalition play a key role in the Pathways to Prosperity

recommendation of providing the opportunity of second chance hiring to improve economic mobility of individuals and families impacted by prior records.

The coalition, in partnership with the Pathways Workforce Collective, work to bring together employers, resource providers, and government entities, such as the Department of Corrections, to increase access to and awareness of job, career, and training opportunities for reentrants. “Being a second-chance employer, speaks volumes…they help to destigmatize what reentry is all about,” Melissa says.

Not only do second-chance employers improve economic status of a previous incarcerated individual and their families, but Melissa shares that, “having a job, having a career, having purpose means a lot to individuals and someone who wants to get back on their feet.

Are you a member of the community, employer, or an organization interested in learning more?

Find more information on how to volunteer or get involved with the York County Reentry Coalition at yorkreentry.org or on Facebook @YorkReentry.

“Being a second-chance employer, speaks volumes… they help to destigmatize what reentry is all about.”

Melissa Plotkin, Executive Director, York County Reentry Coalition

THE LIBRARY AT THE CENTER OF ITS COMMUNITY

Shanna Hollich Library Director, Guthrie Memorial Library

BY BRENDAN SALYARDS MANAGER, ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

“People from Hanover love Hanover. They have a deep love and appreciation for this community,” shares Shanna Hollich, Library Director of Guthrie Memorial Library

The vibrancy of Downtown Hanover includes the love of Guthrie Memorial Library, who has welcomed Hanoverians of all ages since opening its doors in 1911.

Leading the library for a little more than a year now, Shanna has been instrumental in continuing to develop the library’s expanded service and modern approach. In addition to print materials, patrons can access the internet, participate in book clubs, and attend seminars on local history. From computer and financial literacy to job and career information, Guthrie Memorial Library is a true community center, ready and willing to help anyone who walks through the door.

The library’s role as a community center extends to trailusers. Its proximity to the trailhead, many amenities, and role as place for visitors to collect information made the library a perfect addition to the Trail Friendly Business Program Trail-users can even check out bike locks while at the library.

When asked about why she chose a career in librarianship, Shanna focused on the service that those in the profession provide to the community. She recounted a story of a recent patron whom she and library volunteers had been helping here and there for a while. In talking, they realized that they had helped this patron through the process of finding a job.

“The work helps real people, sometimes it’s a little thing … but the resources we provide help people live their best lives.”

GUTHRIE MEMORIAL LIBRARY EVENTS INCLUDE:

NEEDS

DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

“Stability in housing ensures individuals have one less thing to be worried about, lessens crime, improves economic opportunity, and impacts the lives of children who can focus on school instead of where they will sleep tonight.”

Joyce Santiago, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Advocates

Joyce Santiago • Executive Director Affordable Housing Advocates

Affordable housing is personal for Joyce Santiago, Executive Director of Affordable Housing Advocates (AHA). Having experienced uncertainty about where she would lay her own head in early adulthood while balancing three part-time jobs and being a mother of two, primed her for an eventual career in providing housing for others.

While not an experience Joyce would wish for anyone, she believes her personal story is what fuels her energy and understanding of client situations. “Struggling to pay rent, finding temporary places to sleep, and working yourself to exhaustion is something I know all too well and what many of our clients experience,” she shares. Many individuals on the waiting list for AHA, have jobs, but just have difficulty coming up with a down payment as they are often living paycheck to paycheck.

Early in her career, Joyce found a mentor in Tom Foust, the previous Executive Director of AHA, who would continue to push her to serve the community and kept her engaged in the efforts of the organization over several years. Her career kept intersecting with AHA, having held several positions with the organization. Joyce credits Tom and his persistence for leading her to the role she has today and her level of community involvement.

York County’s housing stock isn’t meeting demand and that figure is more startling when it comes to affordable living options. Joyce firmly believes everyone is entitled to a place to live and works to combat negative narratives on affordable housing. AHA’s work is county-wide and has a mission of stabilizing neighborhoods and collaborating with partners to achieve success in the affordable housing realm. Increasing the number of available and affordable housing options for working families is a key action step in the York County Economic Action Plan. “Stability in housing ensures individuals have one less thing to be worried about, lessens crime, improves economic opportunity, and impacts the lives of children who can focus on school instead of where they will sleep tonight.”

A recent win for AHA came when the organization worked to purchase townhomes that were up for sale that would have displaced residents, had it not been for quick maneuvering by AHA. Rent was expected to increase and AHA was able to stabilize the housing situation for the different families by bringing the homes under their umbrella.

LEFT: Delphia House

one of the

by

For details, visit YCEAPA.org

S E P T E M B E R

Tuesday, September 27, 5:00-7:00 pm

Business After Hours presented by Doceo Barley Snyder, LLP, 100 E. Market St.

Wednesday, September 28, 7:30-8:30 am

Economics Club Event presented by Murray: Political Update with Dr. G. Terry Madonna Wyndham Garden York, 2000 Loucks Rd.

O C T O B E R

Thursday, October 6, 5:00-7:00 pm

Business After Hours presented by Doceo York Jewish Community Center, 2000 Hollywood Drive

Tuesday, October 11, 11:30 am-1 pm

WBCO Luncheon: Women in YoCo Industry Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mt. Rose Ave.

Thursday, October 20, 12:00-2:00 pm

Leadership Luncheon: Employment Update Presented by CGA Law Firm

YCEA Office, Upstairs Boardroom, 144 Roosevelt Ave.

N O V E M B E R

Tuesday, November 8, 11:30 am-1 pm

WBCO Luncheon: ATHENA Leadership Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mt. Rose Ave.

Tuesday, November 15, 7 pm

York Story Slam: Grand Slam Capitol Theatre, The Appell Center for the Performing Arts, 50 N. George St.

Wednesday, November 16, 7:30-8:30 am

Economics Club Event presented by Murray Wyndham Garden York, 2000 Loucks Rd.

DE C E M B E R

Thursday, December 1, 5-7 pm

Changemaker Event PeoplesBank Park, 1741 Club

Wednesday, December 7, 7:30-9 am

Spirit of YoCo Awards Breakfast

Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mt. Rose Ave.

Tuesday, December 13, 11:30 am-1 pm

WBCO Luncheon: Mentorship Cohort, Bloom Grant, & Networking

Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mt. Rose Ave.

For details, visit DowntownYorkPA.com

October 5 – Downtown Update presented by Traditions Bank, Appell Center, 7:30-9 am

October 7 – First Friday presented by WellSpan Health Downtown York, 5-9 pm

October 19 – BLOOM Business Series Workshop presented by PNC, Zoom, 8:30-9:30 am

November 4 – First Friday presented by WellSpan Health Downtown York, 5-9 pm

November 20 – Hanging of the Greens, Downtown York, 10 am-12 pm

For details, visit enrootyork.org.

October 18 – York Story Slam: Last Chance, Archetype Pizza, 7-9 pm

October 21 – Kable House Presents: Caleb Caudle, Central Market, 8-10 pm

November 6 – Kable House Presents: Chris Pierce, Central Market, 8-10 pm

November 9 – PechaKucha Night York, Buchart Horn, 6-8 pm

144 Roosevelt Avenue York, PA 17401