News

Phoenixville, PA — The Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrates the outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that are making a meaningful impact in the Phoenixville community at the 2026 Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. This signature event, which is also the chamber’s annual meeting, honors excellence across a range of categories and highlights the spirit of community leadership and service that defines the region.  

Held at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve, the 2026 Annual Awards Dinner brings together local leaders, chamber members, community partners, and supporters for an evening of recognition and celebration. Guests will enjoy cocktail hour, a plated dinner, and a formal awards presentation following a “State of the Chamber” address by Chamber President/CEO, Jessica Capistrant, IOM, CAE.  

2026 Award Winners
🌟 Outstanding Citizen of the Year: Christine Brown
🎖️ Merit Award: Joe Robins and Chris Holt & Kellina Holt
📈 Business Development: Here and Now Crafts and The Studios
🤝 Nonprofit of the Year: Open Hearth, Inc.
🏆 Chairman’s Award: Michael C. Polin and John Colarusso
🌱 Next Gen Impact Award: Angei M
👨‍🚒 Community Hero Award: Tom Baker  

In addition to the Chamber’s awards, the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation will present a special recognition award during the dinner, further honoring exceptional contributions, specifically that advance health, wellness, and quality of life in our community.  

“We are delighted to recognize these extraordinary awardees whose dedication and leadership elevate Phoenixville’s sense of community,” said Jessica Capistrant, the Chamber’s President & CEO. “This year’s winners exemplify the innovative spirit, collaborative mindset, and an unwavering commitment that make our region thrive.” 

Tickets for the 2026 Annual Awards Dinner are available now, and sponsorship opportunities remain open for organizations wishing to support this celebration of excellence and community impact.  

About the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce champions the growth of local businesses and promotes community prosperity through leadership, advocacy, networking, and educational programs. Each year, the Chamber recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions enrich the social and economic landscape of Phoenixville.  

Media Contact:
Meg McCain
Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce
(610) 933-3070
[email protected] 

The JumpStart program offers 0% interest car repair loans (up to $1,000 per participant) to residents of Chester County. The program allows participants to maintain their transportation and therefore their employment, without also threatening their ability to pay for other essentials like rent, food, or utilities.

The JumpStart program coordinator networks with repair shops who agree to provide quality work at fair prices. Participants can always select the repair shop of their choice. All payments are made by Open Hearth directly to the repair shop.

Program guidelines include:

• Must be an adult resident of Chester County
• Driver’s license, insurance, and registration must be valid and up to date
• Must have a documented need (a repair estimate) for the vehicle to pass state inspection or to ensure the vehicle’s safety
• Household income must not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level (for example, $46,950 for a single person; $79,950 for a household of 3)
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to repay the loan within one year

For more information or to apply – [email protected] or call 610-280-1023

Download our flyer here.

Struggling to Keep Up with Your PECO Bill? You May Qualify for a $500 Credit

If you’ve been feeling the squeeze of rising costs and are struggling to keep up with your PECO bill, relief may be available. Through the PECO Customer Relief Fund, eligible customers can receive a one-time $500 credit directly to their PECO account.

This new, one-time program is designed specifically for households that don’t qualify for traditional assistance programs but still need financial support. It’s especially aimed at moderate-income families—those who earn too much to access existing aid but are still feeling the financial pinch.

Open Hearth, Inc. is honored to be one of just eight regional nonprofit organizations selected to help connect families to this vital support—and the only organization chosen within Chester County. This recognition underscores our deep commitment to helping residents secure the resources they need to stay stable and thrive.

Program Details:

• Available: August 4, 2025 – December 31, 2025

• While funds last: First-come, first-served

• How it works: Once approved, a $500 credit will be applied directly to your PECO bill

• Application: Online only; processed in the order received

In addition to this new program, PECO offers a variety of ways to help customers manage their bills, improve energy efficiency, and access assistance. To learn more or apply for the Customer Relief Fund, www.peco.com/relief

A dynamic new partnership between three Phoenixville-based nonprofit organizations—Trellis for Tomorrow, Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS), and Open Hearth, Inc.—has resulted in the launch of a new Trellis for Tomorrow Food for All garden. Located at Open Hearth’s building on 701 S. Main Street, the Open Hearth–PACS (OHPACS) Garden is the newest addition to Trellis for Tomorrow’s growing network of community-centered gardens and is poised to play a vital role in strengthening local food security. Click Here to Read More

Open Hearth is partnering with Bob Madonna (Diversified Services LLC) on a search for a Development Director to lead the fundraising of a successful nonprofit in Chester County, PA that has been serving the community for over 34 years. This newly created role will be responsible for expanding and diversifying revenue streams, strengthening donor relationships, and increasing financial sustainability.

Click the link below to download the full job description.

Open Hearth Director of Development.

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

Click Below to Download

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.

Click to see the rest of Stroll_Schuylkill_Township

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.