Local & National Mission
First Pres is honored to partner with a wide variety of organizations serving the people of Chester County. From hunger to homelessness, legal aid to medical assistance, these non-profit and faith-based groups are God's hands and feet in the community. Our congregation supports their service through volunteer hours and financial assistance.
Act in Faith of Greater West Chester – Offers food, personal care, housekeeping supplies, and emergency financial assistance to individuals and families experiencing urgent need.
Barn at Spring Brook Farm – Enriches the lives of children with physical and intellectual disabilities by providing animal-assisted activities to enhance knowledge, confidence, and physical well-being.
Chester County Migrant Ministry – A ministry of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Chester County Migrant Ministry provides clothing, citizenship classes, transportation, and spiritual support to families working in the mushroom industry in Kennett Square. For information about the Christmas for Migrant Families program, click HERE.
Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center – Offers free adult literacy education and life skills programs, as well as career training opportunities for adult
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County – Provides emergency support and shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children, as well as education and advocacy aimed at reducing interpersonal violence in Chester County.
Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children – Assists families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to stabilize their lives and find or maintain safe, permanent housing through their emergency family shelter, prevention programs, and outreach.
Good Samaritan Services – Assists single parents with dependent children who are experiencing homelessness to secure permanent, stable housing and access to community resources through professional counseling and mentoring friendships with groups from local congregations.
Habitat for Humanity of Chester County – Serves those who would not be able to afford a conventional mortgage by building and financing houses for individuals willing to help teams of volunteers construct the houses in which they will be living.
The Hickman – A personal care community for older adults living in West Chester that was founded by Quakers during the 19th century and continues to celebrate the diversity and vitality of its residents.
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania – Provides high-quality legal representation to people with low incomes in Chester County and neighboring areas in addition to advocacy aimed at alleviating poverty.
Meals on Wheels of Chester County – Serves well-balanced, nutritious meals five days a week to Chester County residents who are homebound due to age or illness.
Naphtali – Founded by a First Presbyterian member, Naphtali provides clothing, household supplies, and supportive presence to people living on the Lakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota.
North Star of Chester County – Works with single-parent families at risk of homelessness to provide emergency assistance, mentoring, and financial literacy through a comprehensive multi-year training program.
Safe Harbor – Provides emergency housing, food, and access to support services for women and men in need.
West Chester Food Cupboard – Provides fresh and nonperishable, healthy food items to West Chester residents in need.
West Chester Senior Center – Enriches the lives of older adults through friendship, education, activities, and nourishment.
Global Mission
From rural medical care, anti-human trafficking efforts, and clean water initiatives to education for girls living in poverty, the mission-workers and international organizations supported by First Pres are serving people on three continents and in dozens of countries across the world. Through partnerships with local communities, these groups and individuals serve God by working for justice, healthcare access, and educational opportunities for all.
Wycliff Bible Translators (Michael and Beverly Harrar) – Michael and Beverly have worked with Wycliff for over 40 years, living alongside people all over the world and using their talents in art to form lasting partnerships with local communities. They are currently stationed in Papua New Guina.
Jeff & Christi Boyd (Democratic Republic of Congo) – As regional liaison for Central Africa, Jeff coordinates partnerships between churches and programs in the DRC, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. A recent project included a new Presbyterian school complex in Zapo-Zapo and the Congo Education Excellence Program. Christi works with local women and children through the Presbyterian Community in Congo (CPC), advocating for changes to traditional practices which marginalize women and keep them in poverty.
Mark Hare & Jenny Bent (Haiti & Dominican Republic) – Mark and Jenny work closely with Mouvman Peyizan Papay, a grassroots movement helping small farmers improve their living conditions by increasing food production. In addition, Jenny works with health clinics run by the Evangelical Dominican Church serving primarily Haitian workers living in the DR who often lack access to clean water and sanitation services.
Martha Sommers (Democratic Republic of the Congo) – A family practice physician, Dr. Martha Sommers serves at the Christian Medical Institute of the Kasai (IMCK) as an instructor in medical practice for doctors and students; she also maintains a clinical practice and coordinates a master’s program in public health in coordination with St. Louis University.