Celebrating A Successful Partnership

Over the past year, the Care & Share Thrift Shoppes has been honored to have 13 volunteers who participate in the EARN (Employment, Advancement and Retention Network) program. EARN provides comprehensive activities and services to individuals who are newly applying for TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) benefits as well as individuals who are already receiving TANF benefits. The goal of the program is to move the individuals served toward self-sufficiency.

L-R:  front row: Jude Ruth, Clothing Workroom Manger, Care & Share; Cara Hires, Contacts Manager with Bucks County Workforce Investment Board; Kate, Volunteer; Diana, Volunteer; Back row: Sarah Bergin, Executive Director, Care & Share; Darling, Volunteer; Maria, Volunteer; Diana Worman, Coordinator of EARN; Katrina Stutzman Community Service Coordinator.

EARN participants and the staff of the program recently honored the Care & Share by preparing a luncheon and a time of recognition between the two agencies.

EARN participants volunteer in a variety of different roles in the thrift shoppes.  They help sort, price and stock the shoppes. They also brush up on their office skills by working on database entry and scheduling.  “Our experience with these volunteers has truly been a win-win for us all around!“ explains Sarah Bergin, the Executive Director of the Care and Share Thrift Shoppes.  “We rely on all of our volunteers tremendously, and this program has complimented our volunteer needs nicely.”

“Punctuality, taking directions and working well with coworkers, are helping to develop work habits that employers are looking for,” explains Diana Worman, Coordinator of the EARN program. “Care & Share has provided a warm and accepting environment where people can grow and develop.”  She continues, “As we all know, people are individuals and cookie cutter approaches to personal growth are usually unsuccessful.  Even though the program must work within the state guidelines and participants must meet those requirements, Care & Share has put a human face on those rules.”

Due to the current economic situation, more people are participating in the EARN program than ever before, so the need for additional not-for-profit organizations to partner with is great. Interested organizations should contact Chris Michaels, Case Manager for the EARN program at (215) 258-7764.

The Care and Share Thrift Shoppes also participates with the PA Working Wardrobe in Bucks County.  This program is out of the Bucks County Assistance Office, and it assists clients who need clothing for job interviews, training or for work. Over 20 persons have been assisted since this program began a year ago at the Care & Share.