Children in the midst of proceedings in Dependency Court face countless questions, fears, and uncertainties. To understand more, we speak with Leigh Anne McKelvey, Executive Director of CASA Youth Advocates, which serves Delaware and Chester Counties as part of a national nonprofit network. A social worker first, Leigh Anne guides us through the challenges confronting children who have experienced abuse and neglect – and explains how CASA’s staff and volunteers advocate for those children. She unpacks how CASA’s volunteers are screened and trained to support children navigating instability in many areas of their lives. Leigh Anne also shares her passion for teaching graduate-level social work students and reveals how she likes to unwind amidst the pressures of leading CASA, teaching courses, and raising a young family.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

CASA Youth Advocates Serving Delaware and Chester Counties

• Website: chescocasa.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/casayouthadvocates
• Facebook: facebook.com/CASAYouthAdvocates
• CASA on YouTube
• Careers with CASA: delcocasa.org/jobs-casa
• Leigh Anne McKelvey on LinkedIn

Local Business Spotlight

• TLC Rescue (To Love a Canine)

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For many people, few culinary pleasures compare with fine Swiss chocolate. Indulging our own dreams, we joined Albert Lauber, Owner and Chocolatier at Neuchatel Chocolates, on his factory floor in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by the irresistible sights and aromas of chocolate being made, we spoke with Albert about the craft and business behind it all. He explained how he transforms Swiss chocolate into delicious truffles – and how he makes his own chocolate from Philippine cocoa beans. We also explored industry trends, the challenges of managing a factory, and his approach to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers. If you have even a hint of a sweet tooth, this delicious episode is not to be missed.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Neuchatel Chocolates

• neuchatelchocolates.com
• swisschips.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/NeuchatelChocolates
• Instagram: instagram.com/neuchatel_swiss_chocolates

ChocoEve

• Website: chocoeve.com

Local Business Spotlight

• SILO

Additional Links

• Extract and Box
• Maplehofe Diary
• The Market at Liberty Place

Related Episodes

• Buying, Renovating, and Renting Properties with Geoff Bosley

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Cats, cats – here, there and everywhere! Surrounded by felines, we meet with Kristine Baney, Executive Director at Treetops Kitty Cafe. More of a lounge than a cafe, Treetops Kitty Cafe is a cat rescue located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. At Treetops, the cats play, nap, and cause chaos wherever they want as they roam freely throughout the entire facility. Kristine walks us through the running of the rescue shelter, its adoption service, and caring for the cats that call the cafe home, even if only for a short while. We talk about board recruitment and strategies for raising awareness about the nonprofit, ensuring that a growing number of local residents know about and support the cafe.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Treetops Kitty Cafe

• Website: treetopskittycafe.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/TreetopsKittyCafeRescue
• Instagram: instagram.com/treetopskittycafe
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@treetopskittycafe
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/treetops-kitty-cafe-animal-rescue
• Kristine Baney on LinkedIn
• Board involvement note on the Treetops Kitty Cafe website
• Volunteer with Treetops Kitty Cafe

Additional Links

• ACCT Philly
• Pocopson Veterinary Station
• Cherry Blossom Vacations
• Forage Books
• The Mushroom Festival
• Longwood Gardens

TRANSCRIPT

Learning to read at a young age can prove so critical to how well a child flourishes as they grow. We meet with Jan Michener, Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hands & Hearts (AHHAH). Based in Kennett Square, AHHAH supports young people in under resourced communities across Chester County. The organizations runs a range of arts and literacy programs in communities, schools, and the youth detention center – all focused on enabling those young people to thrive, rather than merely service. With deep commitment to helping children read at grade level from an early age, Jan walks us through several of AHHAH’s program and initiatives.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH)

• Website: ahhah.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/artsholdinghandsandhearts
• Facebook: facebook.com/ArtsHoldingHandsAndHeartsInc
• Jan Michener on LinkedIn

Additional Links

• Chester County Futures
• Kennett Ability Network (KAN)
• Good Works
• Camp Dreamcatcher
• Kennett Library
• Justamere Foundation
• Chester County Intermediate Unit
• Chester County Youth Center
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• The Alliance for Health Equity
• Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC)

Other Interviews with Jan Michener

• Jan Michener on Great Dames
• Jan Michener on The Art of Volunteering Podcast

Related Episodes

• Repairing Homes and Building Relationships with Bob Beggs
• Nurturing Belonging and Celebrating Community with Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS with Patty Hillkirk
• Building Community and Capacity with Chris Manna

TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript for this episode will be published on our website as soon as it is available.

Industrial fabrication and construction underpins much of the infrastructure and manufacturing that keeps our economy moving. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Dolor, Vice President of Operations at M. Davis & Sons, to explore how the Kennett Square company designs, fabricates, installs, and maintains complex industrial systems. Scott walks us through the evolution of the family-owned business, its focus on investing on its people, and how the company attracts and develops the next generation of craftspeople. We also discuss the many facets of M. Davis’s business, fostering a strong workplace culture, and how the company is eager to engage with and supporting its local community.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

M. Davis & Sons

• Website: mdavisinc.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/m-davis-&-sons
• Facebook: facebook.com/MDavisSonsInc
• Scott Dolor on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-dolor-mba-62134a13

Additional Links

• The Garage Community & Youth Center
• SILO
• Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

Live music plays an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We sit down with Michael Hahn, Executive Director of the Kennett Flash, to explore how the nonprofit listening room has become a home for live music, comedy, and community events in Kennett Square. Michael walks us through the realities of operating a nonprofit arts organization, from booking performers and securing sponsorships to recruiting volunteers and building audiences. We also discuss plans for a future arts and culture hub in Kennett Square. Along the way, Michael shares insights from his own career as a musician, songwriter, and arts administrator.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

The Kennett Flash

• Website: kennettflash.org
• The Kennett Flash on Bandcamp: thekennettflash.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thekennettflash
• Facebook: facebook.com/TheKennettFlash
• Volunteer: kennettflash.org/volunteer
• Michael Hahn’s YouTube channel

Additional Links

• The Hub for Arts and Culture
• KATS (Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society)
• If Not For Music
• Koh Show Live
• Rainbow Records
• Smalls Music Shop
• Live Music Society

Kennett Restaurants and Businesses

• La Verona
• Lily Asian Cuisine
• Michoacana Grill
• The Mushroom Cap
• Philter
• KSQ Barber Lounge

Recommended Musical Artists

• Strays and Misfits on Bandcamp
• Buffalo Nichols

Related Episodes

• Playing, Teaching, and Building a Career in Music with Dave Mattock
• Focusing on Customers Relationships with Mark Avery

When people suffer serious injury, abuse, or trauma – either through criminal acts or negligence – it can prove challenging to rebuild their lives. We sit down with Basil Joy, an attorney with Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney, to discuss his work representing victims of crime and personal injury. Basil explains how attorneys help clients pursue justice, accountability, and restitution. Basil reflects on his legal career and how that shapes his work advocating for and protecting the rights of victims. Chatting about a number of nonprofits, we also discuss the value of supporting local communities through board involvement.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Basil Joy on LinkedIn
• Basil's commencement speech (2013) on YouTube

Local Nonprofits

• Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County
• Gateway Horseworks
• Fox Chase Farm
• Safe Harbor of Chester County
• Chester County Fund for Women and Girls
• Chester County Bar Association

Additional Links

• Pink | Marked Foundation
• Unite for HER
• Fox Rothschild
• Unruh Turner Burke & Frees
• Suitsupply
• Concordville Cleaners
• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Related Episodes

• Advocating for Local Communities: Law and Volunteerism with Rob Jefferson
• Setting the Example and Leading from the Front with Greg Nardi
• Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Crimes with Christine Zaccarelli

Transcript

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.