CHefs BEst 2023: Record breaking
Chef’s Best: In-Person Once Again
We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the 10th Annual Chef’s Best culinary competition, was Santino’s Tap and Table. Having received the most votes from the evenings guests, Chef James Jones’ saffron butter poached halibut with orzo and arugula salad, fire-roasted corn, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, lemon vinaigrette, romano, fresh cracked pepper and a blood orange and persico agrodolce sauce won him his third (yes, you read it correctly, 3rd!) “Best of Chef’s Best” title.
We are also thrilled to announce that we raised a record-breaking $34,000which will help us grow our programs in an effort to better serve the un- and under-employed in West Chester.
Thank You to...
Our Contenders
Our Dessert Donors
Our Sponsors
...and everyone who helped make the night a HUGE success!
OUR MISSION
To build a community that empowers the un- and under-employed to stabilize their households and build toward self-sustainability.
WHY ?
Because ACT in Faith believes that as members of the community we are called to assist those whose needs lie beyond the scope of other social services.
Best of Chef's Best 2023
Three-time Champ, Chef James Jones, Executive Director, Hallie Romanowski, and Board President, Sara Bleemer
By working together, we build a stronger community.
MOVIN’, MOVIN’, MOVIN’
MOVE UPDATE: All new electric, fire suppression, security systems are currently being installed in the building. Dry wall and flooring are next. We anticipate moving in by early Summer.
Our plans to relocate to a new, larger space just a short distance from our current location in the Church of the Holy Trinity (212 S. High Street, West Chester) are underway. Above are a few pictures of our progress so far.
WHY are we moving? Even before the pandemic, it had become evident hat we would need more space if we wanted to grow our mission. The challenges of COVID confirmed that thought, and now we look forward to being able to better serve the un- and under-employed of our community.
WHERE are we going?Our new office will be at 10 W. Barnard Street, just a stone’s throw way from our current home. It’s so close, in fact, that our staff and volunteers will still be able to utilize the Holy Trinity parking lot.
WHAT does the larger space bring to our mission?
Larger space will provide:
- A separate entrance for ACT in Faith
- Increased space for more volunteers
- A larger Community Cupboard
- Increased privacy for those seeking our support
- More storage
Larger space will allow for program enhancement and growth such as:
- Expansion of goods offered in our Community Cupboard
- Computer station for client use
- A dedicated “satellite” space for partner agencies to use when serving West Chester and homeless clients.
- Large group space for client trainings, meetings, and small events
- More volunteers to assume a greater portion of the routine client support, enabling staff to dedicate their attention to helping people with system and resource navigation, employment support, and overall case management
But wait there’s more!
Will will have “roommates!”
Our partners at Parish Hall Kitchen will be joining with a new venture of their own and, the much-loved Holy Trinity Thrift Store (a.k.a. Catacomb Closet) will be moving into this space as well. ACT in Faith already partners with both organizations and we look forward to growing our partnership in our new shared space.
Lives You've changed
“Patricia” is a single mother of 3 whom we met in 2018 when she needed rental assistance due to an isolated setback. Up until the pandemic, her income was adequate to pay her bills, with little to spare. In June 2020 she lost her job due to COVID and then struggled for many months to find income adequate to afford her very modest lifestyle.
Over that time we were able to prevent her from being evicted on 2 occasions, help her keep her car on the road so she could get to work, keep her electric on, and ensure she had food and household essentials for her family.
Just recently, “Patricia” finally secured a job that will soon allow her to pay her bills.
Your support afforded “Patricia” the gift of time – time to take whatever work she could find while looking for more adequate employment, while her family remained sheltered and fed. Without you, she and her children would most likely been evicted months ago.
When he came to us this year, “Jeb” was among the, too often, unseen homeless in our community. He was unemployed, unsheltered, and had nothing. We quickly referred him to 211, the County’s single point of entry for the shelter system and to the Human Services, Inc. street outreach team for case management in navigating other resources he needed.
Along the way we have provided him with a photo ID, cell phone, PO Box, bus passes, clothing, groceries, and job search support. We were also able to arrange for him to receive a much-needed eye exam and glasses.
Less than 2 months later, “Jeb” is safely sheltered, has a part time job while he continues to work with our staff to secure more gainful employment, and he can SEE! “Jeb” is overwhelmed and sincerely grateful for all of your support and he never misses an opportunity to share his appreciation.
We are only sad that you haven’t been here to personally witness “Jeb’s” transformation – once deflated, desperate, and lost, he is now engaged, optimistic, and once again believes in himself…and he can SEE!
Donor Impact: 2022
Unduplicated households (925 adults & 465 children) received assistance.
436 requests for services that help obtain or maintain employment were filled – 31 of which were car repairs that prevented job loss.
200 requests Housing Stabilization support were filled…preventing 57 evictions, 50 utility shut-offs, and assisted 24 household with security deposits so they could become housed.
dear diary...
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Ways You can Help
Volunteer
Share your time and energy providing services.
Community Cupboard
Stocked by the community for the community.
Employee Match
Grow your donation and make a bigger impact.
Greeting Cards
Donate in honor or memory of a loved one.
Annual Corporate Sponsorship
Partner with us to support the programs that change lives.
Amazon Smile
Your shopping dollar give back.
Thank YOU to our 2023 Partners
ACT in Faith Office Hours
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Monday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
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Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
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Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
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Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon
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