Celebrating Hope in Action

April is National Volunteer Month! 

Sara was looking for a support system when she joined Bridge of Hope and that’s exactly what she found in her group of Neighboring Volunteers. “My group was very welcoming and kind,” she shared. “They checked in with me frequently to see if I needed anything. They made me feel safe and able to ask for help.” 

That kind of care is made possible by the incredible Neighboring Volunteers and churches who show up every day, in big and small moments, to make hope visible at Bridge of Hope. Here are just a few glimpses of how we’ve seen your hope in action: 

At Covenant Presbyterian in Malvern, volunteers have cared in practical and personal ways, like shoveling snow, delivering meals during illness, hanging shelves and curtain rods, celebrating birthdays and supporting a family during a move. 

In Oxford, Beulah Baptist Church has stepped in at just the right moments, clearing snow so a gas delivery could be made, offering rides to work for a teenager and supporting a job search. Through coffee dates and game nights, they’ve built strong relationships. 

Also in Oxford, Waterway Church has helped ease burdens by preparing tax returns, delivering meals and assisting with moves, including cleaning apartments on moving day. A child-sized table and chairs they gifted quickly became a little one’s favorite spot. 

In West Chester, Christ Community Church formed a group to come alongside a mom and her son, advocating within the school system to ensure his educational needs were met. 

Saint Peter Catholic Church in West Brandywine has created spaces of belonging by hosting birthday celebrations, helping during a move, offering a listening ear and providing cleaning supplies as participants settled in. 

Trinity Assembly of God in West Chester supported a mom through childcare and meal-planning ideas so she could focus on organizing her home and supported the wider Bridge of Hope Chester County community by hosting our Spring Neighborhood Gathering. 

The Baptist Church of West Chester has made a meaningful impact through weekly lunch outings with a mom, donating a car to increase stability and sharing insights with Bridge of Hope Network staff on engaging smaller churches. 

In Parkesburg, Gateway Church is forming a Neighboring Volunteer group for the third time and hosting a training. 

Whether shoveling sidewalks, sharing meals, advocating in schools or simply spending time together, these acts of neighboring remind families they are not alone, and during National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the many seen and unseen ways you put hope into action. Thank you for showing up with care, consistency, and commitment.

Program Needs:   

We are looking for housing for two families in our program. If you have any leads for either of these needs, please reach out to Rachel: 

• West Chester Area School District – 1-2 bedroom unit 
• Octorara School District – 3-4 bedroom unit

We were highlighted in an article by VistaToday celebrating the Making Room Campaign!