Member/Community News

Think funerals have to be sad and depressing? Think again! And now an alternative approach made the front page of last Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer! Kyle Tevlin and her business "I Want A Fun Funeral" are featured in this great article. Check out the comments from program participants about how helpful it has been! Congratulations, Kyle!

For ten years, residential cleaning businesses have been providing free house cleaning services across the nation for women undergoing cancer treatment. Executive Director of Cleaning For A Reason (C4R), Lynn Frankenfield, recently expressed, “when you go into a home to help out and you see a wig on a stand and children patiently waiting for their lunch while mommy is sick in the bathroom, it puts your own troubles into perspective. It truly had a profound impact on me to experience firsthand the difference that a clean home makes for a woman battling cancer.”

Doylestown Mayor Ron Strouse recently issued a proclamation naming April 19-24 National Cleaning For A Reason week in celebration of the organization's ten year anniversary and for service provided by local house cleaning service, Harmony Clean, Inc. The intent of the proclamation is twofold. The first is to bring awareness to women who could use a helping hand. “The motto of the organization is to let us focus on your home, so you can focus on your health,” states Harmony Clean, Inc., co-owner, Vicki Brown. There is no income or other qualifying criteria; help is available to all women. The second is to bring awareness to other house cleaning or maid services that can join forces by partnering with C4R so more women can be reached and helped. “By receiving this proclamation from our mayor, we feel that the work of Cleaning For A Reason is truly recognized and appreciated in improving the lives of cancer patients and their families in our community,” states Brown.

To date C4R has recruited over 1,200 maid services to donate free house cleaning to women who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Local Doylestown maid service, Harmony Clean, Inc., has been involved since 2007 and has volunteered their time to clean for eighty-three local women and donated over $38,000 worth of free services.

If you, or a woman you know, is battling cancer of any type and could use a helping hand, contact www.cleaningforareason.org and click on the Patients tab. Or, if you own a cleaning service and would like to help, visit the website and click Maid Services/Inquire Now to learn more. For additional information, contact Kim Heck at Harmony Clean, Inc., 215-230-7700.

Local Doylestown entrepreneur, Vicki Brown, co-owner of Harmony Clean, Inc., has been elected to the Board of Directors for The Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI). Her three-year term began January 1, 2016.
ARCSI is the only non-profit member owned organization dedicated to advancing the home cleaning industry and represents members in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Its accreditation process requires members to meet a rigorous set of industry and business standards in order to provide consumers with a professional and quality cleaning experience.
Harmony Clean, Inc. provides professional house cleaning services to residents living in Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area. Their teams use non-toxic, earth-friendly cleaning products without harmful synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals or phosphates. Harmony Clean, Inc. is a local, family owned business founded by Vicki Brown and her sister Debi Sarandrea in 2003. To find out more about Brown and Harmony Clean, Inc., visit HarmonyClean.com. Or call 215-230-7700.

Free winter program for teenage girls aimed at enhancing self-image through physical activity, healthy relationships and confidence building. As educators and parents, we know that area high school students deal with stress on a daily basis. School, work, relationships and health goals all contribute to the anxiety and day-to-day issues that face our youth, especially young women. The Y, in a new collaboration with A Woman's Place (Healthy U program) and in addition to a partnership with an affinity group of the United Way of Bucks County, is offering Empower U. Proven benefits of Empower U show that participants have a: • 6-16% increase in fitness strength • 33% increase in self-confidence • 25% increase in a feeling of life balance Who can register? Any girl ages 14-18 in grades 9-12 When do we meet? Wednesdays, February 3 - March 23 from 7-9 pm Where is it? Central Bucks Family YMCA, 2500 Lower State Road, Doylestown What do we do? Each night, we will feature a workshop (1hr) on empowerment and a fitness-based activity (1hr). This will help us strengthen mind, body and spirit. Group exercise, workshops, guest speakers, and other interactive programming! In the past we've held nutrition workshops, gone hiking, and attended an art class. It changes based on the interests of the girls participating. How do I register? Contact Brooke Volpe if you have any questions or if you would like to register, at [email protected]. Informal interview sessions are also being scheduled in January and signup is available via Signup Genius. Here's what the mother of a recent participant had to say... "I cannot thank you enough for the impact that Empower U has had on my daughter. One of the biggest changes I've seen in her is her willingness to try new things. The program has provided her with ways to release her anxiety which has been a tremendous help to her personally and at school." -Karen

Create new, low-cost holiday traditions focused on meaningful time spent together! Whether it is playing a unique game or preparing a special homemade food item to share… any memorable activity done together as family can become a treasured annual tradition. We asked staff and volunteers at A Woman’s Place to share some of their favorite holiday traditions and “quality time” suggestions. Here are their responses.:

The Art of Good Advertorial Copy By Deb Oliver: Gayle Crist, of Crist Editorial Services, spoke to the WBF on Wednesday August 5th. Crist, who has worn many hats including: promotional writer, editor, marketing/PR copywriter, speech and script writer, informed the group about the use of advertorials to attract new clients to their businesses. Gayle defines an advertorial as, “a persuasive, entertaining, informative way to tell compelling stories” while easily blending them with a sales message. She views it as advertising and editorials all in one for a soft sell. Gayle spoke about keys to writing effective copy. Know the publication's readership demographic Study the headline style of the publication Write attention getting headlines. Wrap your story around your sales message. Be subtle about mentioning your service - 90% is the story and 10% is your sales message.

This walking/running group is for all ages and meets every Tuesday evening at War Memorial Field (CB West), 101 Memorial Drive, Doylestown, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Join us! Whether you like to walk or run please join us every Tuesday evening as we prep for the Race to Empower 5K and One Mile Fun Walk in October. Set your own pace, see your stamina improve week after week, and set a personal best time!

"Helping Children to Heal" is an 8-week, closed, and confidential support group for children ages 7-12 who live or have lived in a home where domestic violence is present. It is designed to give kids the chance to learn healthy coping strategies and form bonds with other children (realize that they are not alone). Groups start on 9/22/15. Please call A Woman's Place hotline at 1-800-220-8116 to sign up (and for support group location, times, or more info).

We started our "Jeans Friday" campaign in January at the beginning of our tax season as a way to continue our community service efforts without burdening our accountants. Every Friday, our staff can wear jeans if they pay $5, and the money is donated to different charitable organizations. It was such a success we decided to continue it even after tax season. We choose what organizations to support by asking our staff what they have a personal interest in. I had suggested we choose AWP because as a single mother I truly empathize with the struggles of the women your organization supports. I know how difficult it is to start your life over, to try to get on your own two feet again. I can’t imagine how much harder it is as a victim of domestic violence. All of the stories in the news demonstrate just how prevalent domestic violence is, and the statistics are scary. I wanted to help shed light on an important cause, and I am so grateful to work for a firm that immediately agreed to lend their support. We decided to do more than just raise money through our jeans campaign. We asked our staff to bring in donations for the thrift store and the shelter. We invited local attorneys we hosted at a cocktail party to bring in items. We asked family and friends to contribute whatever they could. Never did I imagine we would end up with two full carloads of donations, but what an incredible accomplishment! I truly hope our contribution will help make a difference in the lives of the women you support. I think it’s a great organization that does so much for women in need, and we are just glad we could play some small part in the amazing work you do. Leslie Gadaleta Pritchard, Bieler, Gruver & Willison, P.C.

Ah, vacation. It’s a time to wind down and reward yourself for all your hard work. But as you know, and even might fear, a vacation can be quite pricey. Avoid putting yourself into a financial bind by following the tips below designed to help you vacation on a budget. 1. Avoid peak season. It’s no secret that as summer or holidays approach, travel costs, such as airfare and hotel lodging often go up in price. Consider taking your trip during an off-season month, such as September or October, as opposed to summer or the peak holiday months. The prices associated with your vacation may be considerably less, and better yet, your destination might be less crowded. All of this will help you travel on a budget. 2. Consider alternative lodging locations. If your vacation takes you to a large city, it could be more cost effective to stay outside the city limits. The hotel rates, in some cases, can be much lower. Consider smaller hotel chains or bed and breakfast accommodations with fewer amenities to save money during your time off. 3. Try public transportation. One of the best ways to get the local flavor of your vacation spot is to take public transportation. Plus, taking public transportation is also an excellent way to save money. Whether you go by bus, subway or train, you’re not burdened with car rental, gasoline or parking costs. Plus, you get to see more of the sights because you’re not behind the wheel, driving. 4. Avoid the trendy eateries. Food can eat up a large portion of your vacation budget. Avoid the cost of high-priced meals by seeking out and going to lesser-known restaurants. Read up on local spots and plan ahead to make reservations at restaurants that are well within your budget. 5. Watch the currency. When planning a trip abroad, look into the currency exchange rate of the country you will be visiting as compared to American dollars. Try to plan your trip when the dollar is trending strong. This will give you more bang for your buck with hotel accommodations, food and local events. 6. Limit the souvenirs. It’s nice to have a reminder of your travels, whether in the form of a t-shirt or baseball cap. Just be mindful of places in your destination where these items can cost far more than their usual amount. 7. Seek out friendly advice. Do you have a relative or friend who’s been to where you’re vacationing? If so, ask for some advice, such as are there any inexpensive accommodations or restaurants that are within your travel budget? 8. Stay closer to home on your vacation. Instead of vacationing abroad, where you could be subject to higher airfare, and unpredictable currency fluctuations, consider staying in the U.S. There are many national attractions. Plus, if you travel within the U.S., you won’t have to budget for the expense of renewing or obtaining a passport. 9. Take a road trip. If you do stay close to home, an entertaining and cost-effective vacation could simply entail getting in your car. You’ll be able to travel at your own pace without the hassle of hurrying to airports or connecting flights. Just remember to be mindful of the fluctuating price of fuel as that could affect your travel budget. 10. Consider a staycation. How well do you know your own state, or even your own city? A cost-effective and fun vacation idea could simply be a trip around your own city. With all the money you save by not taking a flight or renting a car, you could stay in a fancy hotel with all the amenities and pampering imaginable—just a few miles from your own home. Vacations are a great way to recharge. This year, don’t stress yourself by going over your vacation budget. Your days off are better spent relaxing and giving yourself time to recharge. Brenda Bagonis-Cooke 215 491 4346 ASSETFINANCIAL SERVICE.COM

5 Easy Steps to Organizing You Life Did you know the longer something stays on your "To Do" list, the higher the probability that it won't get done? There are proven ways to organize your life. Linda Anderson spoke at the May meeting and shared these tips on the Art of Prioritizing. 1. Make time to prioritize! Ten minutes every morning is all you need. 2. Know how your brain works: Do you like order or due you prefer a creative approach 3. Have tools to Priortize; Apps, paper and pen, planners – get thoughts out of your head. 4. A dump list is not a to do list: cross the stuff off that you do not need done in the near future. 5. Lastly, Linda encourages you to “relate the small stuff to the big picture. What are your priorities and what is important for you to accomplish? What inspires you but also what do you absolutely expect to accomplish?” Whether love, health, wealth or self image prioritizing can help you define and achieve your objectives through organizational skills which will facilitate you in meeting your goals. Linda, a former teacher, trainer and director of non-profits is an A trained coach with an extensive background and specialty in working with adults who are ADD/ADHD, Linda also guides, trains and instructs business owners, professionals and students on “getting clear” which is the practice of learning what tasks take precedence and prioritizing them for maximum efficiency in your working and personal life.

A Woman's Place is thrilled to be the beneficiary recipient organization of the 2015 Philly Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Event! Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® is the international men's march which encourages men to walk a mile in women's high-heeled shoes to protest rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m. and the walk starts at 11:30 a.m. Registration is $50.00. Please join us for this exciting (and unique!) event!

May is National Teen Self Esteem Month! AWP teen volunteer and college intern Alex Leone just completed her first year at Yale and will speak about confidence, self-esteem, and leaning in as a young woman in today’s society. Other teen participants will also share how they feel the workshop has helped them to become more comfortable in their own skin. LEAN IN (Lean Iteens and adults) is a free workshop based on Sheryl Sandberg’s groundbreaking book of the same name. Tap into the ongoing inspiration and encouragement. Together we can set goals and face challenges to create a better world for all of us. This month’s meeting is Thursday, May 21 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Thompson Toyota, 122 W Swamp Rd, Doylestown. For more info or to register, please call Director of The Empowerment Project Ann Ciliberto at 215.343.9241 x114 or email [email protected].

I am so proud as I have been with TFA for over 11 years and before 15 year with banks, insurance companies, financial firms and wirehouses... Brenda Bagonis- Cooke 215 491 4346 My BD won this year according to Investment NEWS who just ranked The independent broker-dealers with the most female advisers by choice of recruitment ! Breaking down the gender divide at IBDs as of 2014 TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS TAKES THE CAKE WITH OVER 32.71% female ADVISORS. Next places are 28% and 26% female advisors.

A SWEET CELEBRATION! Saturday, May 2 will be a night filled with chocolate, champagne, and celebrating when A Woman’s Place (AWP) marks 20 years of the Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy. Such a momentous occasion deserves a memorable party, and AWP is prepared to deliver! The silent and live auctions will be packed with fantastically filled baskets, unique experiences, and fabulous getaways. Enjoy the delicious hors d’oeuvres and a sit-down dinner paired with wine, beer, and bubbly, but don’t ruin your appetite for the night’s main event – a spread of chocolate desserts measuring over 55 feet in length. For more information about the 20th Anniversary Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy tickets and sponsorship packages, please visit http://awomansplace.org/ or contact Heather S. Giampapa at 215.343.9241 x120 or [email protected]. YOUR PERFECT ADVENTURE AWAITS! Raffle tickets are available online now… and you don’t even have to be present at the 20th Anniversary Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy to win! Visit http://tinyurl.com/q99pr2k to get your raffle tickets today. Just $20 each, and the winner will have their choice of one of three fantastic prizes: • You and a guest will enjoy the spirit of the Pacific Northwest with a first-class jaunt to Seattle, WA and Victoria, British Columbia. • Indulge in signature wines and luxurious pampering at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in Sonoma, CA for 4 days & 3 nights • Top Gun Experience for 2 People as a Fighter Pilot for a Day in a Military Aircraft.

The Women’s Business Forum hosted Chanin Milnazik, owner of Brown Dog Design and founder of the Women’s Business Forum at their January meeting. Chanin started the WBF 14 years ago when she realized there was a great need for a women’s business organization that provided mentoring, inspiration and a little networking on the side for women business owners. Chanin spoke about creating our own opportunities in business. She asked that we imagine our lives on a movie screen one year from now. Do we like what we see? What changes have we made and what do we need to do now to make those positive changes happen? She then asked that we envision what our lives look like in 3 years and then again, in 5 years, and ask ourselves the same questions. What is on that screen? What’s happening with our businesses, our family life, and our personal life? What changes do we need to make or what direction should we go to make the positive things happen? Envision it, know it and grow it. Do this on a regular basis. Make it a positive experience. Chanin also spoke about the future of the Women’s Business Forum. She feels that we are fortunate to have a solid group of members who create a wonderful foundation for each other. We are committed to inspire, educate and create opportunities for our members. And we are committed to continuing to do this in the future. Chanin announced that The Women’s Business Forum plans for the future include celebrating our 14 years of success by giving back to the community by creating a Fund that would be used for micro-loans or grants to deserving women entrepreneurs in the area.

Before SuperBowl 49, NBC10 asked A Woman's Place what we thought about the NFL's response to domestic violence. The answer may surprise you.

Turn key operation - consignment store for sale in Doylestown Contact owner at 215-429-6161 for details

Turn key operation - consignment store for sale in Doylestown Contact owner at 215-429-6161 for details

Susan G. Komen Philadelphia® has selected A Woman’s Place as one of 25 Delaware Valley organizations being recognized as a Komen Philadelphia Women's Champion. The 25 organizations were selected by Komen Philadelphia as part of the 25th Celebration Year for the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure®, and will be presented the Women's Champion Awards at the event's Kick-Off Party on February 6. "We are honored to have been chosen as an organization of integrity by an organization that itself is so well respected and has helped paved the way to revolutionizing the face of breast cancer in our world," said Ifeoma U. Aduba, Executive Director, A Woman’s Place. "So often organizations like ours are seen for what we do in our specific service mission – it is truly special to be considered an integral part of something bigger… to be recognized as a foundation of women's past, present and future growth."