WCU Honored to be Recognized as a Community Partner by Safe Harbor
At Safe Harbor’s 30th anniversary celebration this spring, the organization presented
the University with the Andy Dinniman Partnership Award. The award recognizes the
significant support by WCU students, faculty, and staff. Safe Harbor, located on North
Matlack Street in the borough, provides shelter and emergency services for Chester
County adults experiencing homelessness.
In the Fall/Winter WCU Magazine, Safe Harbor Executive Director Jessica Chappell said, “West Chester University is an invaluable partner to Safe Harbor and the greater Chester County community. Through innovative collaborations with faculty and students — ranging from grant-writing projects with the Honors program to impactful nutrition initiatives to direct volunteer service and RamCorps students — WCU strengthens our programs and enriches the lives of our residents. [WCU’s] ongoing commitment reflects a true investment in creating a stronger, more compassionate community.”
Katie Clay-Densmore, associate director of WCU’s Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI), explained that “The University’s partnership with Safe Harbor shows how beneficial experiential learning can be for our on- and off-campus community. Student work-study placements and community-engaged learning coursework through CCESI rely heavily on the mentorship, advocacy, and understanding of our community partners. Safe Harbor has created a space for students to learn and grow outside the classroom. Academic partnerships with our Nutrition Department and Honors College, such as Dr. Regina Subach’s nutrition lab programming and Dr. Gerardina Martin’s grant writing community-engaged learning course, give students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and apply learning in critical and constructive ways. This support builds capacity for our partners and opens doors for our students civically and professionally as they learn what it takes to run a community-based organization like Safe Harbor.”
Dr. Gerardina Martin, chair and assistant director of the WCU Honors College, added, “Through the Stewardship and Civic Engagement and Honors Capstone courses, students complete more than 13,000 hours of service a year, due to our fantastic partnerships with local non-profits such as Safe Harbor. Jessica and her team are willing partners who are helping to shape the future by offering teachable moments in the community.”
“Safe Harbor also supports WCU's work-study placements through partnerships like RamCorps, a CCESI civic-leadership program that allows students to engage with public service, active citizenship, and social change, while earning work-study funds to support their studies,” Clay-Densmore continued. “RamCorps students like Harmoniee Wong, a third-year music therapy student, dedicate a year of service to partners to deepen their understanding of community needs, share their own experiences, and develop professional experience in non-profit work. Harmoniee has served at Safe Harbor for two years, working directly with residents and sharing her love of music with the community. Placements like these are only possible due to Safe Harbor’s commitment to co-educating the leaders of tomorrow. In addition to the vital work the organization achieves in the wider West Chester area, Safe Harbor creates the space to guide, mentor, and challenge our students through meaningful relationships with staff and residents, preparing WCU students to be thoughtful, compassionate professionals and citizens.”
Safe Harbor created the Andy Dinniman Award in the late 1990s to honor the former Chester County commissioner, whose work helped establish the organization. A leader for communities, families, and taxpayers throughout more than 45 years of public service in the Commonwealth, Dinniman is also a former WCU faculty member and Pennsylvania State Senator.