"Goodbye Reception" Weed & Seed Site Coordinator

Barron Hill Fire Department Lends a Helping Hand...

A special thanks to Officer Chris Schwartz, Plymouth Meeting Police Department, the Barron Hill Fire Department, and the Storehouse Church for their volunteer efforts to help us set-up equipment and provide much needed Christmas gifts in preparation for our annual Christmas Toys-for-Tots program at Partners for Families. With a severe snow storm just around the corner, many of our orignal 50+ volunteers could not make due to the anticipated storm, but the Fire Department volunteers arrived early to help us with much of the labor intensive back-work. Also, a special thanks to John Wallace for making the connection. Thank you so much!

"2009 Year in Review Video" Coming Soon!!

PFF Provides Thanksgiving Dinner at Montgomery County Human Service "Cafeteria"

On Thanksgiving Day, Partners for Families hosted a dinner for the community at the Montgomery County Human Service Center’s new cafeteria “LA Café.” Volunteers from churches and the community served a hot-cooked meal prepared by Montgomery County Vocational Tech High School Students with donated product provided by AFLAC, East Norriton Middle School, Penn Christian Academy, Wawa, Merrymead Farms, Genaurdis, Giant, and Home Depot. The afternoon included special music, Wii games for kids, Coat give-away, and registrations for an upcoming Toys for Tots give-away. “It was great to see community partnerships coming together to serve families who didn’t have a place to go on Thanksgiving Day,” says Executive Director, Brian Akamine.

Ursinus College Partners with PFF

We are excited about a new partnership with Ursinus College and the Bonner Program. Last Fall, the Dean of Students approached PFF to initiate an ongoing parternship with faculty and students. As a result, two Ursinus students Gerald Glover and Madeline McEvily in the Bonner Program chose PFF as their service site providing special projects coordination and administrative support. Recently, PFF received a $2500.00 Technology Award from Esperanza Capacity Building Project, we purchased three computers and some much needed "Donor & Volunteer Management" database programs. The Bonner students began their first project helping us set up the database and develop job descriptions for our developing administrative support system. We would also like to recognize Kristl Wierniki, former Penn Christian Academy Development Coordinator and former Temple University, Dean of Students provide Ursinus College student oversight. Kristl has been providing volunteer administrative support and special project coordination for the past year. We are so thankful for her dedication and excellent skills she contributes to our organization.

Building a Foundation Through Community Partnerships

New Computers for Partners for Families

Partners for Families recently received a $2500 Technology Award Grant from Esperanza Capacity Building Project for the purchase of two new laptops and desktop PC. Fairview Village Church volunteer Bob Jacoby, Computer Specialist help set up the network and download much needed software to help become more effective in donor & volunteer management in addition to replacing older and slower computer systems. Another step toward organizational effectiveness!

Montgomery County Latino Collaborative Hosted by Partners for Families

Partners for Families is part of the Montgomery County Latino Collaborative. A coalition of Latino organizations including University of Pennsylvania, Family Services, CCATE, ACLAMO, Mexico Consulate of Philadelphia, Good Schools of Pennsylvania, Kupersmith, P.C. Attorney-at-Law, Norristown Area School District, Norristown Latino Clergy and other organizations dedicated to serve the growing Latino population in Montgomery County.

U.S. Citizenship Training at Partners for Families

Partners for Families hosted a Citizenship Training Workshop provided by the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition . The workshop help participants learn the process to becoming a United States Citizen. Instructors included attorneys specialing in U.S. Immigration Law.

Esperanza National Prayer Breakfast & Capacity Training

Partners for Families is part of the Esperanza Capacity Building Project designed to help faith-based non-profit organizations strengthen their organizational capacity to effectively service the Latino communities. PFF recently was evaluated through an Organizational Assessment Tool to identify areas of development. Development goals include board development, organizational structures and fundraising development. PFF board member Rev. Luis Mendez and Rev. Brian Akamine, PFF Executive Director attended the Esperanza National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. with keynote speaker President Barak Obama. We had the opportunity to visit federal legistlators on Capitol Hill to lobby support Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We had an opportunity to visit Pennsylvania's U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach's Legislative Office to encourage support for the Bill.

Cabrini College Students Choose PFF for Their "Community Service Learning" Project

Freshment students from Cabrini College as part of their "Community Service Learning" project volunteered at Partners for Families to help paint and remulch our from sidewalk entrance area. We have a wonderful ongoing partnership with Cabrini College and appreciate all they do to support the community of Norristown and our efforts!