The SBT Center’s purpose is to bring these partner organizations together to provide much needed services to the Warminster area, which is home to many under-resourced residents. The center will offer a central location for people to access emergency assistance with rent and utilities, homeownership counseling, financial literacy, and long-term self-sufficiency services including education and employment planning.
“BCOC is honored to work side by side with our partners in our shared space, the SBT Center, said Erin Lukoss, Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Executive Director. “Each of us brings unique skills and resources to the table to best serve our community and it is our hope that those we serve will receive more comprehensive assistance because we are serving Bucks County together.”
“Bucks County Housing Group is excited to part of the SBT,” said Erik Clarke, Bucks County Housing Group’s Executive Director. “Having our four organizations in one location provides all our clients the opportunity to learn and get services that they otherwise might not of know about or been able to utilize. It provides more options that empower the clients to better their lives,”
The SBT Center will provide office space for these organizations to better work as a collaborative in their efforts to provide resources and support to the underserved communities in Central Bucks. It will also create a space for all organization to preform internal and external trainings.
“Our four organizations have always worked together to serve our County. Now, by sharing office space, we will be able to increase our ability to collaborate! Habitat Bucks looks forward to creating an even greater alliance with our nonprofit neighbors!” said Florence Kawoczka, Habitat for Humanity Bucks’ Executive Director.
About Bucks County Housing Group: Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) is a private, non-profit social services organization that was founded in 1979 and which opened the first homeless shelter in Bucks County in 1980.
BCHG works with an ever-widening client base that includes those who are homeless, those who are imminently homeless and families who are significantly impoverished and food insecure. Individuals and families whose behavioral health needs or issues present obstacles to financial and housing stability, young adults with behavioral health and or situational obstacles and struggling veterans are served by BCHG.
About Bucks County Opportunity Council: As the lead anti-poverty, 501(c)3 non-profit agency in Bucks County, the mission of BCOC is to reduce poverty, and partner with our community to promote economic self-sufficiency. For over 55 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.
About Habitat for Humanity Bucks County: Founded in 1990, Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s mission is Building Communities, Empowering Families.
Since then, it has built or fully renovated 123 homes that are affordable in Bucks County through its Homeownership Program, which provides an opportunity for low-income families to build strength, stability and self-reliance by partnering with Habitat.
Its low-cost Home Repair program makes interior and exterior repairs, including critical repairs, to help individuals improve accessibility and safety in their own homes.
Revenue from Habitat Bucks ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes. Habitat brings diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone. For more information, call 215-822-2812 or visit habitatbucks.org.
About YWCA: The YWCA Bucks County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
We envision a community of empowered women, girls and families succeeding through increased opportunities to pursue and fulfill their individual aspirations.
The YWCA Bucks County is committed to the empowerment of, community-based service to, and partnership with women, girls and families in need. Integrity, diversity, inclusivity, empathy and self-value are non-negotiable elements of everything we do.
PHOTO CAP: From left, Karen M. Hudson, PhD, MSW, LSW, Board of Directors member for YWCA Bucks County; Guillaume Stewart, Executive Director of YWCA Bucks County; Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC); Erik Clarke, Executive Director of Bucks County Housing Group; and Florence Kawoczka, Executive Director of Habitat.