Chester’s Mentoring Initiative

May 2025 

Our featured speakers were Mark Staples, author, and Julia Frank, President, Pennsylvania VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). They co-presented on youth empowerment and resiliency in the context of disaster preparedness.

Mark’s new children’s book, Bronson’s Flood, teaches children that everyone can use their gifts to help, especially in times of disaster. Mark inspired us with his words: “We are each a piece in a global human puzzle. As children grow, they must figure out what their gifts are and how they can use them to benefit themselves and others.” The character of Bronson is representative of the courage, determination and heroism of the real-life heroes that Mark met during his disaster relief work following Hurricane Katrina and other crises. Mark is happy to speak at children’s storytimes and to share what he has learned about self-publishing. You can reach him at mstaples545@gmail.com.

Julia explained that 10% of disaster victims typically have long-term needs after insurance and FEMA services have been provided. A number of volunteer organizations including Lutheran Disaster Preparedness and Response and others listed at https://www.pavoad.org/current-members/ step up to help, in close touch with the government’s emergency management offices.

“All disasters start and end locally.” Delco’s emergency service coordinator is Julia Borek, reachable at (484) 926-4899 and borekj@co.delaware.pa.us More information is available at https://ccdcredi.delcocitizencorps.org/

Disasters can obviously have a traumatic impact on children’s lives, and the need for relief (food support, housing) can continue well beyond the disaster. School districts and community organizations can help VOAD identify families that are impacted.

The Church of the Brethren specifically focuses on children’s disaster services. Visit https://www.brethren.org/cds/ for information on their training and curriculum. It is commonly understood that “whomever young people already trust will be their best supporters in a crisis.”

Disaster relief organizations agree to a “point of consensus” that there will be no prostletizing; they keep their religious beliefs and efforts separate from their relief work even if their motivation to help comes from religion. “Various organizations cooperate magnificently nationally to help people in need.”

It was also inspiring for us all to hear that “disasters provide an opportunity for us all to appreciate the depth of human responsibility for one another. When communities see that as important, good things happen. When that’s not the case, the process of recovery is blocked.”

Julia encouraged each of us to:

Additional announcements:

All are welcome on Thurs, May 8, 8-9:30AM, for a celebration of Delco Gives at Delaware County Literacy Council, 2217 Providence Ave in Chester. Please help spread the word. Free breakfast treats available for all. For more on Delco Gives, see https://www.delcogives.org/

Crozer Hospital has closed. Anyone needing to get a copy of medical records or having any other questions should call the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100.

Please share this survey from Chester Eastside, inquiring about various peoples' perceptions about the needs in Chester. It takes less than five minutes to complete. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-GqkA6KZIGNnyY44FJBC07oZJEPuE9USU0M58sd4-vSuHog/viewform?usp=header

The Center for Parent and Teen Communication (CPTC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Daddy University (DU) are partnering on a special project to better support Black fathers in talking to their teens about mental health and racial discrimination. We are specifically seeking Black males—biological fathers, stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, foster fathers, and other caregivers—who are currently raising a Black teen, of any gender, between the ages of 12–17 -- to participate in a 90-minute in-person focus group where your insights will help shape culturally informed resources for families. Participants will receive a $100 gift card as compensation.  Anyone that is interested should please fill out this brief form: https://forms.gle/BSSLDqDAxdHqCYfK6

Free health and hygiene products are now available at Keystone Health, 1929 W 9th St, Chester.

CHOP recommends the following new resources - please help spread the word:
Poison Control 101:  https://open.chop.edu/courses/poison-control-101/
Medication Safety for Caregivers: https://open.chop.edu/courses/medicine-safety-for-caregivers/
Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: https://open.chop.edu/courses/naloxone-for-opioid-overdose/
Using Drug Testing Strips to Prevent Overdose: https://open.chop.edu/courses/drug-testing-strips/