Saturday, April 26, 2008

By Michele Angermiller

Special to the Times

Reprinted with permission from The Times of Trenton

When measuring the success of The Ivins House Resource and Referral Center, Director Darletta Berry-Johnson points to her roster of volunteers.

She talks of Harold Kropnick, a Morrisville, Pa., man in his 80s, who volunteers his time to run an after-school rocks and minerals club for children.

She mentions Bill Farrell, another Morrisville resident, who goes " above and beyond" the needs of people suffering from cancer.

"We have the best volunteers," she says. "We really have great community people."

These volunteers, Berry-Johnson says, are the heart and soul of The Ivins House, located at 80 W. Trenton Ave. in Morrisville.

"We just had a volunteer appreciation dinner, and one of the recipients talked about how much his father, who is a cancer patient, enjoys his relationship with Bill."

Ivins House volunteers go through a strict background search and training program, Berry-Johnson says.

The Ivins House is a resource and referral center that supports and helps coordinate existing services and programs offered by area social service agencies in Morrisville and surrounding areas.

It was founded five years ago as an outreach of Morrisville Presbyterian Church. A survey was done at the church monitoring community needs, and high on the wish list was a community center.

Today, the center is embraced by the community it serves. During a recent silent auction and dinner held at the Yardley Country Club, the center raised $17,000. An additional fundraiser, the Second Annual Ivins Golf Outing, will take place at the country club Sept. 22.

The money raised from the dinner will support Ivins House's many programs, the major one being Faith in Action. Volunteers are matched with the elderly, frail or homebound, who need assistance, be it transportation to medical appointments or small tasks.

"Our role is to connect the residents in the surrounding areas with programs that will help them in their daily life," Berry-Johnson explains. "Maybe they need help paying their rent, or they need to get gas if they break down. Maybe they need prenatal care. Maybe they were laid off of work and don't know where to go for unemployment. We get them those connections."

Other services include raking leaves or other "handyman work," Berry-Johnson says.

Another popular program is "The Benefit Bank." The program helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families file for tax credits and benefits for which they are eligible. Benefit Bank receives support from foundations and other funds through the National Council of Churches USA and the Jewish Council on Public Affairs. It is especially helpful to seniors who do not know how to prepare documents such as a property tax rebate, Berry-Johnson says.

After-school programs are yet another piece of what is offered through Ivins House. It is made possible through the 21^st Century Grant program, according to Berry-Johnson.

Through the program, study sessions, SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) preparation, and a popular Musical Theater are available to students in the Morrisville School District. The Ivins House partners with organizations such as the YMCA of Lower Bucks County, the John Christenson SAT Program, the Down Stage Center, and the Family Service Association to strengthen scholastic assistance.

One component of the program is what Berry-Johnson describes as "generations enhancing mentoring." For example, senior citizens from the community work with the students by reading to the children.

"We have a lot of retired teachers that come back, and they enjoy teaching kids in a fun way," she says, citing programs such as the "Reading Olympics."

"Kropnick," Berry-Johnson says, "is the reason for the success of the Rocks and Minerals Club program."

"The children just love him. He takes them on trips to caves to go exploring. He is amazing. He's like a grandfather to those kids, and he needs that just as much as they do."

Currently, the Faith in Action program has 60 volunteers, and the after-school program has 65, but there is always room for more, Berry-Johnson says.

"(Volunteering) is so worthwhile."

For family assistance or to volunteer, call The Ivins House Resource and Referral Center at (215) 428-0500, extension 102, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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Please consider giving a tax free donation to help The Ivins Outreach Center.