Local Missions
Chester County Connect Care
203 South Walnut Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
1028 East Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA 19382
139 West Market St.,
West Chester, PA 19382
Ministry:
Chester County Connect Care is a pregnancy care medical center which exists to educate and empower individuals and their families to make life affirming choices. They do this through the Biblical guidance of love and mercy, and offer free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, education, and counseling. They have been serving in the Chester County area since 1985 and are 90% volunteer-based.
Chester County Migrant Ministry
Executive Director: Lorraine Armstrong Martinez
645 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-724-2742
Ministry:
Chester County Migrant Ministry (CCMM) is a non-profit Christian ministry serving the immigrant community in Chester County and the surrounding area. CCMM offers assistance with immigration procedures, citizenship classes, a Christmas for Migrants program, blankets, coats, health kits, beds and other furniture, appliances, distribution of food baskets, prayer shawls, and other services.
The ministry transports over 100 people each year to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service offices in Philadelphia and delivers donated furniture and appliances to over 200 families annually. The Christmas for Migrants program provides Christmas gifts for over 120 families (approximately 600 people) each Christmas. CCMM is often the agency of last resort for many immigrants with a wide range of problems, and they serve a largely unchurched group who also are among the poorest of the working poor of the community.
Good Neighbors Home Repair
Executive Director: Harold Naylor
224 E. Street Road, Suite 2
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Ministry:
Good Neighbors’ mission is to restore hope and dignity to qualified low-income
homeowners by making critical home repairs as an expression of their love for Jesus Christ. They make homes accessible for people with disabilities and they make home modifications to help seniors remain safe and independent in their homes. Good Neighbors delivers these services at no cost to the homeowner, through a combination of volunteers, professional staff, and contractors. They serve in Southern Chester County, Southern Lancaster County, and Northern Delaware. Good Neighbors is looking for volunteers to help with various initiatives throughout the year. If interested, please contact them at the information provided above.
Family Promise of Southern Chester County
Executive Director: Carol W. Lowe
1156 W. Baltimore Pike
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Ministry:
Family Promise of Southern Chester County helps create a self-sustainable livelihood for children and families experiencing homelessness in Southern Chester County by providing emergency shelter and intensive case management. Their three main programs consist of:
- Promises Made (Diversion) – work with case manager to divert families from shelter and homelessness by assisting them to identify alternative housing options, services, or resources; This is for families who may be in imminent danger of losing their current housing.
- Promise House – families stay in apartments or homes that Family Promise leases for up to 120 days; the case manager works with families to establish and address goals including improving employment, household budgeting/financial literacy, securing permanent housing, etc. Families also receive life skills training.
- Promises Kept (Stabilization) – offered to graduates of Promise House; Helps to reduce the rate of returns to shelter by families; Can provide food items, gift cards, utility assistance, furniture/household items, etc.; Intensive case management can also be provided
Family Promise is looking for volunteers to help with various initiatives throughout the year. If interested, please contact them at the information provided above.
The Garage Community and Youth Center
Kennett Center
115 S. Union St.
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Avondale Center
121 Pennsylvania Ave.
Avondale, PA 19311
https://www.garageyouthcenter.org/
Ministry:
The Garage Community and Youth Center is an after school and youth development program serving middle and high school students in Kennett Square and Avondale. The Kennett Garage was a vacant car garage until 2001, when a local business leader and youth pastor envisioned its roof sheltering something far more valuable than vehicles. The renovated building now is home to various programs and services for middle and high school students. Its mission is to empower youth to pursue their potential academically, relationally, and spiritually. After 10 successful years serving students in the Kennett community, The Garage opened a second center in West Grove in 2011. In 2021, The Garage purchased it’s Avondale location, moving from West Grove in 2022.
Young Life
Local Contact: Madalyn Kugler
Phone: 856-340-1572
Email: Madalynkugler@gmail.com
Address: PO Box 67 E. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348
www.younglife.org
Ministry:
Young Life is an ecumenical Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college students in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. Its mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. It accomplishes its mission by:
- Praying for young people
- Going where kids are and building personal relationships with them
- Earning the right to share the Good News of Jesus Christ
- Providing fun, adventurous, life-changing and skill-building experiences
- Inviting kids to personally respond to the Good News and walking in friendship with them regardless of their response
- Working in community alongside like-minded adults (volunteer leaders, committee members, donors and staff)
One of the principal characteristics of Young Life ministry is that it goes to the kids. It’s called contact work, and that’s why you’ll find Young Life leaders at school athletic events, social events, and other “non-church” settings. In an increasingly secular society, Young Life is able to engage kids by providing an environment that feels more “neutral” to them.
Working with local churches is important to Young Life. Although congregations can minister in ways we can’t, Young Life has inroads in communities with kids who are disinterested in church. However, as Young Life staff and leaders care for these kids, it tries to help them become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ who will one day be active in the life of a local church.