Open Hearth

Open Hearth is proud to announce new funding from Foxwynd Foundation for the Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing program. Read the full press release here Foxwynd press release 2024-10

Our region prospers only when we all prosper when there are enough good, safe homes people can afford. We need advocates to speak out for and support the changes to make this happen. The lack of affordable housing impacts all of us, not just the struggling households. 40% of our workforce is in the retail, accommodation, education, health, and food service industries. The median income for workers in these essential industries is $61,000 or less. Recent college graduates and other young professionals also have trouble finding housing they can afford. Our long-term economic success depends on the availability of safe, attainable housing for our workforce. Employers need workers close by, especially in jobs like health care and emergency services. By creating ‘middle housing’ such as house-scale buildings with multiple units compatible in scale and form with single-family units, we will bridge the gap for struggling families.

Visit their site at www.attainablehousingadvocacy.com

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Citizen Participation Notice

What is the mission of Open Hearth? Open Hearth, Inc. is a leader in resource coordination and community-building efforts, providing innovative programs to support and empower people to end the cycle of homelessness, acquire affordable housing, a means of transportation, workforce opportunities, and achieve financial stability.

Why was the organization started? Open Hearth was originally formed in 1989 as a local grassroots committee to assure equal housing opportunities for people who are traditionally isolated and systematically denied opportunities due to mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Headquartered in Phoenixville, Open Hearth, Inc. received its  501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in April of 1991. Over the years our organization has grown and evolved to serve members of single parents, displaced families, those dealing with drug and alcohol dependency, and all income-eligible populations who come from diverse racial, cultural, and geographic backgrounds.

We believe our greatest strengths are staying abreast of emerging issues and best practices and then developing programs and effective partnerships to meet the needs of the community we serve. Because of this, as community needs have changed we have expanded our services to include asset building, financial education and coaching, transportation solutions, and case management, believing that the answer lies in prevention and education.

Our work at Open Hearth spans a continuum—from providing temporary housing for someone experiencing homelessness to providing a savings match for someone planning to purchase their first home. Our participants can rely on our staff to support them as they work to attain financial and housing stability.

What is your role with Open Hearth? As the office manager, I am primarily responsible for all of Open Hearth’s operational support including facility management, accounts payable/receivable, and serving as the point of contact for our IT consultant. I started with Open Hearth in March of 2006 and was a program coordinator for a year. I then shifted to the office administrator role and also served as the coordinator of the monthly Phoenixville Area Resource Network meetings for ten years.

Any other information you would like to include? I’ve been excited to watch the growth of Open Hearth over
the last eighteen years including our move from our rented office space in Spring City, to our property in Phoenixville, to the growth of our programs and staff. Debbie has lived in Schuylkill Township at SpringMeadows at Valley Forge for 14 years. Her parents both had roots in Phoenixville and she grew up in the borough. She currently lives with her fur babies: dog Kona (4), and cats Frankie& Freddy (4). Her adult daughters, MaryBeth and Amy, both live locally.

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Support the Open Hearth’s Brick Campaign today and be a part of something meaningful. Visit https://4everbricks.com/donors/OH/  to discover more about our initiative and secure your own personalized brick.