This July, my family gathered to celebrate what would have been my sister, Michele’s, 48th birthday. Together, we laughed at the many memories of her ditzy sayings, shared stories about her mischievous childhood, and recounted her antics as a top-notch prankster. We smiled at how she made countless women feel beautiful, both inside and out […]
Category: Stories
The Key to Unlocking Language Barriers
Imagine moving to a country where people speak a different language – one you can’t speak or understand. Now imagine being unable to purchase a home, find employment, or enroll your child in school because of this language barrier. These are the challenges that roughly 8.8%, or more than 40,000, York County residents face. Thankfully, […]
Being a Friend in Times of Need
Friends & Neighbors of Pennsylvania, Inc. (F&N) is an emerging nonprofit focused on assisting the unhoused population in York County with finding shelter and providing medical services. Shortly before the pandemic began, the York County Coalition on Homelessness counted 32 unsheltered people in York County. As of January 26, 2022, the unsheltered population was comprised […]
Creating a Pathway to Lasting Financial Security
While analyzing the needs of the York community, the team at Shiloh Baptist Church recognized a lack of professional advancement programs for people of color and began working on a program to fill that gap. The Impact Project (TIP) is a 10- week education and job readiness project for youth between 13-18 years old. The […]
Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: José Santiago
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting local members of the community who strive to make York a great place to live. Meet, José Santiago. José identifies himself as a Latino of Puerto Rican descent. He currently works as the director of both the YMCA of York and York County’s New American Welcome […]
Building Connections for a Healthy Community
Children born underweight face huge developmental challenges with lifelong consequences for them, their families, and their communities. The March of Dimes estimates the societal cost of low birthweight babies at an estimated $26 billion annually nationwide. In York City, 11.5 percent of babies born in 2012 were low birth weight, weighing less than five pounds, […]
Supporting Artists to Make York Vibrant
Thriving communities across America recognize that cultural activities are key attractors for talented workers and visitors, and provide a boost to the economy. In York County, the arts brought over $14 million in economic impact in 2018. As the Cultural Alliance of York County approached its 20th anniversary and prepared for a change in leadership, […]
Setting the Stage for School Success
Do you remember who taught you to say your first word, use a spoon, to walk? Chances are, it was a parent. Parents are our earliest teachers, setting the course for how we learn for the rest of our lives. But parents often need support to be the best teachers for their children. Child Care […]
Wider Paths Provide Access to Nature for All
The West Manchester Senior Trail and Nature Park will contain four acres of native plants and trees, birds, butterflies and bees in West Manchester Township, and incorporate many features for the senior residents at Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community and the young families at nearby The Greens at Westgate Apartment Homes. Supported by a grant […]
Shining a Light on York’s Unique Assets
York’s fabulous historic architecture has made it a national historic district, with an “historically edgy” downtown. At its center, stands Continental Square. The heart of revitalizing downtown, the Square was neglected until YCCF commissioned a study to revive it. The study envisioned lighting the exterior of its iconic buildings as a way to highlight their […]
