Bridging the Gap to Essential Community Resources
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Through a sub grant from CADCOM, The Norristown Hospitality Center is able to assist individuals/families who have employment but have experienced a life-event that has put them into financial jeopardy. These families are ready to bypass the transitional shelter services and, with assistance, enter directly into housing. Rental assistance provides the client with financial resources to enter new housing, such as first and last month’s rent, and/or security deposits.
The Hospitality Center’s supportive case management services are provided for six to nine months after the client enters housing to help with maintaining stability. The goal of this program is to rehouse families and individuals into permanent housing within 30 days of their program entry and to maintain the permanent housing at both a six month and twelve-month check-in.
Range of Services
• Once accepted into the program, assistance finding community rental housing is offered.
• Short-term financial assistance that may include payment of security deposit, first month’s/last month’s rent.
• Case management services offered that include assistance with community resources, budgeting, health, employment and education.
Criteria for Program
Imminently or literally homeless adults aged 18 or older
Current Montgomery County Resident and desire housing in Montgomery County
Have a reliable and verifiable income from employment, child support, SSI and/or SSD
Income eligibility will be based on 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines and will vary based on family size.
Participants must agree to meet with a case manager two to three times a month. The primary focus of case management will be budgeting and financial management in order to keep the participant on track with monthly lease payments.
One Sight Program: The Center provides referrals to clients to Lenscrafters so they can have access to eye exams and eyeglasses.
Medication Copays: The Center provides medication copays to clients in partnership with a local Pharmacy.
HIV/STD testing: In Partnership with Family Services of Montgomery County PA, HIV/STD testing is provided onsite.
Flu Shots Clinics: In partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, flu shots are offered on-site seasonally.
COVID-19 Testing: Two staff members are certified to administer rapid COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics: In Partnership with the Department of Safety, Johnson & Johnson vaccines are provided through Vaccination Clinics hosted on-site.
No-cost services for those affected by violent crime in Bucks County
- Call our 24-hour helpline at 1-800-675-6900
- Text us at 267-323-4545
- Email us at info@novabucks.org
Bucks County FNEs are on call 24-hours a day.
For more information about Bucks County’s Forensic Nurse Examiner programs, contact NOVA at 215-343-6543.
Our award winning Financial Insight and Resource Management (FIRM) program is a comprehensive one-on-one assessment program centered on financial education. It is designed to help individuals and families gain basic awareness of their financial situation and oftentimes discover the root cause of their financial hardship.
FIRM works with the participant to map a solution to avoid similar problems in the future while also supporting the development and growth of families’ and individuals’ financial assets and resources.
Anyone is eligible for FIRM services regardless of their income level, and FIRM also serves as the fundamental element of and a portal into each of our programs.
Every participant that has a FIRM appointment will receive:
- Extensive budgeting support
- Financial/credit counseling
- Short and long-term goal planning
- Social service referrals
- Advocacy
If you would like to find out more information, please contact the Financial Navigation Team by phone (610) 280-1023 or email financialnavigation@openhearthinc.org
he Housing Contingency Fund (HCF) provides one-time housing start-up costs and emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction or utility shutoff to adult Chester County residents who are engaged with mental health case management via an approved service provider and meet the criteria of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). Additionally, HCF can assist households who are experiencing homelessness with temporary respite in hotels while they seek permanent housing.
No self-referral! Referrals must be made by an approved service provider. Referrals can only come from one of the following mental health service providers:
- Creative Health Services
- Elwyn
- Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems
- Human Services, Inc.
- Penn Psychiatric Center, Inc.
- St. Luke’s Penn Foundation – ACT team
If you would like to find out more information, please contact Layne Hammond-Champion by phone (610) 792-9282 x. 207 or email LHammondChampion@openhearthinc.org.
Open Hearth’s Family Savings Partner Program (FSP) provides a match (up to $4,000) towards the purchase of a home!
Participants must commit to making monthly deposits of at least $30 at one of Open Hearth’s banking institution partners for a minimum of three months before they qualify for match money. Funds must be used within one year of beginning the program and are provided directly to the seller of the house. Open Hearth does not assist in the selection or financing of homes.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Saver must be a resident of Montgomery or Chester County
- Saver must have income
- Adjusted gross income must be less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level OR the family must qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Those accepted into the Family Savings Partner Program are required to participate in 8 hours of financial education including Open Hearth’s Financing Your First Home and Home Buying Basics workshops.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you would like to find out more information, please contact Taryn Alexander by phone (610) 280-1033 or email TAlexander@openhearthinc.org.
he Open Link provides victims of domestic violence with free and confidential support services. Our services include counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, and referrals to other agencies and community resources as necessary.
Domestic violence support services are provided by counselors who have completed the Pennsylvania Coalition against Domestic Violence (PCADV) training and serve as volunteers for the Women’s Center of Montgomery County.
Domestic Violence Counseling
The Open Link provides domestic violence counseling to adult men and women who are or were in an abusive relationship with an intimate partner. Our specially trained counselors offer help to:
- Identify warning signs and assess risk factors.
- Focus on developing and implementing a safety plan.
- Connect the victim with appropriate resources.
Advocacy and Court Accompaniment
Navigating through the legal system can be an intimidating experience. Although court advocates cannot provide legal advice or representation for clients in civil and criminal cases, advocates can provide the following services:
- Assistance with legal options for domestic violence victims.
- Court accompaniment to preliminary hearings (district court level).
- Systems advocacy to effect social change.
For more information about these services, please contact Linda at (215) 679-4112 or by e-mail at lindac@theopenlink.org.
The Open Link serves as a one-stop career center providing local job seekers with the resources and personalized attention they need to find their next career opportunity. We offer job seekers several options for finding employment that matches their skills, experience, and needs.
Our free and confidential services include:
Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) Access Site, also known as PA Career Link, provides job seekers with a user-friendly tool that connects them to potential employers. By using CWDS, job seekers can create resumes and apply for positions online. The Open Link offers free access to anyone in the community who would like to use this comprehensive job search system. Job seekers who are able to independently navigate online can come in anytime during office hours to use the system. Those who need assistance should call ahead and make an appointment with our employment counselor, Hope Claypoole.
Employment Counseling provides job seekers with the personalized attention they need to be more effective and efficient during the job search process. A successful career plan and job search begins with a thorough understanding of one’s interests and values, the development of essential life skills, and the acquisition of career-related information. The Open Link offers programs, resources, and services designed to help at all stages of the decision-making and planning process.
Additional Services
- Vocational testing to identify which occupations best fit with an individual’s abilities, interests, and personality
- Resume preparation
- Information on local job leads
- Site for corporate staffing and job fairs
- Free use of facilities – Computer access, fax machine, telephone and more (for employment reasons only)
For more information about these services, please call (215) 679-4112 or e-mail employment@theopenlink.org.
Who: Students that want a High School credential or who want to improve math, reading and/or writing.
What: Prepare for a high school equivalency test (GED® or HiSET®) Click on the link to visit GED® or HiSET® for further information. Please note the High School Equivalency test is not administered at The Open Link at this time.
When: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Where: Seated classes are located at The Open Link at 452 Penn Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Online classes are also available.
Why: Transition into post-secondary education, attain more gainful employment, and/or increase quality of life.
Cost: There is no charge for classes, whether online or seated, and there is no charge for class materials or one-on-one tutoring.
How to get started: Information sessions on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, at 5:30 p.m. Registration is open enrollment. Contact Heather O’Donnell by email at instructor@theopenlink.org or by phone at 215-679-4112 for further information.
Learn more about how the Pennsylvania Treasury Department launched the PA ABLE Savings Program—a savings plan for people with disabilities.
Link 800 number: Any PA resident can call for information about programs and services: 1-800-753-8827
Person-Centered Counseling: Offered through the Department of Aging in chesco and Community Connections Navicates in Montco to develop a plan to access programs and services and help applying for them.
Phoenixville Free Clinic is a licensed and insured free medical clinic. We do not bill our patients or require a fee, but patients can make a voluntary contribution toward their care if they are able.
Does Phoenixville Free Clinic only provide care for adults?
Phoenixville Free Clinic serves adults, children, and infants who are uninsured. Phoenixville Free Clinic does not provide prenatal or post-natal care.
Who provides medical care?
Primary medical care is provided by Phoenixville Free Clinic’s Medical Director and Associate Medical Director, along with other volunteer physicians. Specialty care is provided by volunteers who are licensed physicians or medical practitioners. Please note that specialty care providers have limited hours, and appointments are required.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, appointments are required.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call 610-935-1134, extension 21 or extension 27.
Are there other services at Phoenixville Free Clinic?
Yes, Phoenixville Free Clinic has a full-time phlebotomist for lab work. Phoenixville Free Clinic can provide limited screening and/or diagnostic blood work at no cost to the patient. Phoenixville Free Clinic provides prescriptions that are available through discount programs to eligible patients. Phoenixville Free Clinic has limited samples that are no cost to the patient. You must be an active patient at Phoenixville Free Clinic to receive medications.
What documents should I bring to the first appointment?
We require photo identification and proof of current address.
Do I need to live in Phoenixville?
No, Phoenixville Free Clinic provides care to uninsured patients in Chester, Montgomery and Delaware counties.