Community & Government Announcements

With the trending arrival of new immigrants daily, the need to learn English is stronger than ever! The Volunteer English Program invites you to become a one-to-one English tutor to an adult immigrant or refugee in Chester County, for whom this program is free. Registration is now open for VEP’s Virtual Tutor Training Workshop in June, 2022.

Consider this fulfilling opportunity if you…

• want to make an important and lasting impact on someone’s life and your own
• want to help an adult succeed while strengthening your local community
• enjoy learning about other cultures
• want to be inspired.

Prior teaching experience or fluency in a language other than English is not required. 

VEP professional staff will prepare you to work remotely or in-person with an English Language Learner (ELL) at any level of proficiency. Your volunteer commitment will include meeting with your student twice weekly for 1.5 hours per session for at least one year. These partnerships open doors to many life-changing opportunities for students and tutors, and the need is always there.

The next Virtual Tutor Training Workshop will be held on June 2nd, 7th, and 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm each evening via Zoom.

Workshop fee is $40.00 per person. For more details and information, please click HERE.

To learn more details about the program and the tutor experience, please visit the VEP website, volunteerenglish.org, or call the VEP Program Director, Rachel, at 610-918-8222 ext. 2.

The Career Development Center at West Chester University is partnering with the Chester County Workforce Development Board and PA CareerLink® Chester County to host a Job Fair on Tuesday April 12, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at West Chester University’s Sturzebecker Gym located at 855 S. New Street West Chester, PA 19383.

Attend this county-wide job fair to meet with employers from a number of diverse industries seeking experienced and entry-level talent to join their teams. Employers include:

• Cartoon Network Hotel
• Trader Joe’s
• Keystone Human Services
• The Malvern School
• Herr Foods Inc.
• Walmart Stores and Clubs

For more information, visit: https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/careerDevelopment/jobFair.aspx.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry provides statewide access to online job skills training for all Pennsylvania residents through SkillUp PA. Courses include soft skills and communication, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, project management, and more.  Users can browse the course catalog and find classes to prepare for industry certification tests or select a skill track for workplace skills, digital literacy, retail/service, and more. Pennsylvanians can register for an account to sign up for selected classes on the PACareerLink® website.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is an initiative of the Internal Revenue Service that provides free tax preparation and filing for low and moderate income households, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency.

Life Transforming Ministries (LTM) will have preparation sites throughout Chester County for anyone interested in having their taxes prepared by the VITA Program. Due to the pandemic, the program is offering DROP-OFF Services Only this year. Drop off locations will open beginning Monday January 31, 2022.

For site locations and hours, visit https://files.constantcontact.com/47743304701/ba0d0b04-5608-477f-ab4d-b92772d67347.pdf

LIHWAP is a new, temporary emergency water and wastewater assistance program created by the federal government to assist low-income households with their drinking water and wastewater bills, particularly those who have experienced financial difficulties. Funding is available for use through September 2023, or until the funds run out.

Pennsylvania homeowners or renters may be eligible to receive LIHWAP benefits if their household income does not exceed the state’s 2021-2022 income guidelines. Customers are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website for detailed information on the program, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.

Pennsylvania residents who participate or have family members who participate in certain other benefit programs — such as SNAP, SSI, and TANF — automatically meet the state’s eligibility requirements. All qualifying state residents can visit Pennsylvania’s Compass website to apply for water assistance.

In September 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau released selected state, county, and municipal level data from the 2020 Census. Because these data were released in a technically complex format, Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) staff converted key data sets to an easy-to-use Excel data file, which is accessible here. This downloadable data sheet provides municipal-level data addressing total population, age, housing units, population density, group quarters (such as nursing facilities and university dorms), race, and Hispanic or Latino populations.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications for its cash, crisis, and weatherization grants. If you have questions about eligibility, visit here or call the Chester County Assistance Office at 610-466-1042.