Habitat Homeowner Making a Difference on Walnut

Tamara Charles and her family, son Khalid Hardimon and her daughters Keira, 7 and Keirsten, 6, will get the keys to 439 Walnut St. tomorrow. She is already making a difference in her neighborhood by heading up an anti-littering campaign.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery/Delaware Counties.

When Tamara Charles purchases her Habitat home and receives the keys tomorrow, there will be something noticeable in the window of 439 Walnut St., something that makes her especially gratified.

It’s a sign that reads “Proud Pottstown Neighbor – Don’t Litter;” a sign that symbolizes her hard work as a community volunteer, and the comeback of pride in her hometown.

Tamara is one of the founding members of Pottstown Community Action (PCA), a group initiated two years ago by Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization effort. After working quietly on a mission and logo, meeting with the Mayor and borough council, and connecting with other community leaders, PCA is ready for visibility, and more action. 

Tamara Charles and her daughters clean up their neighborhood.

Its first line of attack: litter. Among its ammunition: newly printed window decals and lawn signs for the neighborhood.

“We chose an anti-litter campaign because it’s a way to see immediate improvement in the neighborhood,” explains Tamara. “For our first block cleanup, we removed about 40 bulk trash items. We have a standing offer to residents: get a few neighbors out and we’ll bring the coffee and donuts, supplies and volunteers, and we’ll make sure the trash bags are removed.

“Kids have been helping and we hope to add individuals who need to fulfill community service hours, as well as youth from the school district.”

PCA is also working on building leaders in Pottstown. On July 21st, PCA, in collaboration with Habitat MontDelco is hosting an all-day workshop called “Actively Leading Pottstown Towards Prosperity.” To register go to https://habitatpca.wufoo.com/forms/pottstown-leadership-workshop.

A Spirit of Cooperation

“Since launching a Neighborhood Revitalization zone in 2016, we have remained committed to engaging, empowering, and educating local residents coming alongside them so that they can improve the quality of life within their own neighborhood,” says Marianne Lynch, CEO of Habitat MontDelco. “There’s a lot of momentum now from PCA, local non-profits, businesses, and the Borough.”

“This town has an incredible stock of historic homes and families who have been here for decades. Many residents have a clear vision of what Pottstown can be again and they are sharing that vision with others. I thanks to people like Tamara who are deeply passionate about this place. It’s also due to a wonderful attitude of cooperation that’s prevalent across the community.”

Instrumental in creating collaborations, Habitat MontDelco became a member of Pottstown CARES in 2018, and is working with other nonprofits such as Genesis Housing Corporation, and Mosaic Community Land Trust.

417 Chestnut Street

For its next project, Habitat is collaborating with Genesis Housing and Mosaic Community Land Trust on 417 Chestnut Street, right next to one of the Mosaic Community Gardens in Pottstown. Genesis is providing technical assistance, Mosaic will work with Habitat to provide a homeownership through the community land trust model, and Habitat will complete the full rehabilitation of the home.

“It’s a natural partnership because we have the same goals—to get people into a home, grow their wealth, put down roots and improve their community at the same time,” said Tracy Purdy, President of Mosaic. “From a resource perspective it makes perfect sense; it’s three times the expertise using one-third of the funding.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties

The mission of Habitat MontDelco is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat constructs homes for affordable home ownership, preserves aging housing stock by completing critical home repairs, provides financial literacy and life skills classes, and revitalizes neighborhoods.

For more information, call 610-278-7710, email ehefner@habitatmontdelco.org, or visit www.habitatmontdelco.org

Pottstown Community Field Day Set for Aug. 19

A Phoenix Rises on Beech Street in Pottstown

Photos by Evan Brandt

VIPs gather Wednesday afternoon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Beech Street Factory.

A major thing happened in the neighborhood in Pottstown Wednesday where major things don't happen too often.

A veritable crowd of people want to live in the former

Fecera's warehouse, despite a recent shooting near there.

After more than a decade of sitting empty and slowly deteriorating, the 105-year-old brick building built as a shirt factory began its new life as an art center.

Once a symbol of the work that was once easy to find in Pottstown, it will now stand as a symbol of what determination can accomplish in a much more complicated world.

That building will be home to 43 apartments and ArtFusion 19464, and stand as an example of what it means not to give up on Pottstown, particularly in the neighborhood all too many feel is beyond help.

Judy Memberg with lobby furniture donated

by Fecera's Furniture, which once owned

the warehouse.

It's already working.

Judy Memberg, the steadfast hand on the tiller of Genesis Housing Corp., said the property behind the former Fecera's Furniture warehouse at the corner of Beech and North Evans streets has already been rehabilitated.

And a long-vacant home adjacent to the new parking lot has been purchased for rehab.

It didn't happen overnight, and it didn't happen in a vacuum.

It took a lot of people with their own agendas (and kingdoms) giving up a little territory and control and believing in something other than "what's in it for me?," or to be more Pottstown-specific -- "I'm not doing anything to help (fill in the blank)."

Erika Hornberg-Cooper, in green dress, 

welcomes visitors even as work on the space

continued Wednesday.

I guess $13 million can do that.

Congratulations to all and to ArtFusion 19464 for successfully pivoting from its long-held property on High Street into this space, located even closer to the population director Erika Hornberg-Cooper is focusing on helping.

Here are some Tweets from the ribbon-cutting Wednesday. Look for full-coverage in an upcoming edition of The Mercury.

Rock the Block Returns to Pottstown on April 22

Volunteers head out for Rock the Block activities in Pottstown last year.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County.

Twelve community organizations will join forces for a second year in a row with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County and Pottstown CARES to beautify the borough of Pottstown.

A Hill School student Anya Gupta mans the
Pottstown CARES  

table during last year's
Rock the Block event.

Rock the Block on April 22 will bring together more than 150 volunteers who will pitch in to clean, paint, repair and improve a neighborhood, in conjunction with Pottstown CARES community cleanup day, a partnership of The Hill School, the Borough, the Pottstown School District, Montgomery County Community College, Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and Lowes.

In addition to the Pottstown CARES organizations, Rock the Block enlists volunteers from Genesis Housing Corporation, Matt Green at Glocker and Company Realtors, Mosaic Community Land Trust, Phillies Fire Company, Pottstown Fire Department and Victory Christian Life Center.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, volunteer teams will complete deck and stair repairs, landscaping, spruce up efforts and more on the 300, 400 and 500 blocks of Beech, Cherry and Walnut Streets. 

They will begin work on 629 Walnut St., a new Habitat house in Pottstown. All the while, they will be building community pride.

“Rock the Block shows the power of people coming together in just one day,” said Marianne Lynch, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County. 

Marianne Lynch, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of

Montgomery County at a Rock the Block house on Walnut Street

during last year's clean-up.

“Look deeper, and you see the incredible spirit in Pottstown, and the passion residents and officials have for making it the best it can be. We are in year two of a holistic neighborhood revitalization plan and the community couldn’t be more excited and supportive,” she said.

The revitalization plan is being created by a coalition of residents, borough officials and non-profit organizations and is looking at workforce development, resident leadership, housing and quality of life issues such as arts and culture. 

In addition, Habitat Montco is partnering with the Pottstown School District to give students in construction classes hands-on experience at 629 Walnut St., and is planning to recruit for its AmeriCorps jobs from Pottstown.

Pottstown High School student Raekwon Artley 

joins Hill students Lyndsey Williams, Bridget Mayza and 

Ryan Wallace in a demolition job at 430 Walnut St. 

during the Rock the Block clean-up event on Friday, April 15, 2016.

Pottstown High will have about 40 students who will be associated with the Pottstown CARES event on Earth Day.

About 20 students, most of whom are part of the soccer team, with be doing landscaping around the high school/middle school campus and another 20 Student Government students with Dave Woodley and Trojan Man will be doing clean up in the parks.

In addition to volunteering for Habitat Montco projects, Pottstown CARES participants will be working in the MOSAIC community gardens on Walnut Street and Chestnut Street. They will be cleaning up litter in various Pottstown “pocket parks” and along Armand Hammer Boulevard. as well as planting trees. 

In addition, the Pottstown Community Arts group is going to be out cleaning up the lot on the southeast corner of King and Manatawny streets where a new Welcome to Pottstown sign will be painted.

Getting Your Financial House in Order for Free

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Genesis Housing Corp.

Warmer weather is coming soon and there has never been a better time to “Spring Clean” your credit.

Learn the best ways to reduce your debts. Learn how to improve your credit scores. Make good decisions with your money. Learn what they never covered when you were in high school!

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation, will hold FREE classes covering those subjects on Wednesday evenings, March 15th, March 22nd and March 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the YWCA Tri-County building, 300 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Register for free classes at www.genesishousing.org.

The classes are designed to help to:

• Understand Credit -- Information on credit scores, improving your scores, re-establishing credit and dealing with debt. (Wednesday, March 15, 2017).
• Money Management – Information on preparing realistic budgets that are more than just monthly bills, prioritizing spending in tough times and understanding how current spending impacts your future financial options (Wednesday, March 22, 2017).
• Home Buying Basics -- Understand the home buying process – what lenders require, types of mortgages, selecting good lenders and realtors, Agreements of Sale, home inspections and first- time homebuyer grant programs (Wednesday, March 29, 2017).

Nikki Holcroft, an award winning and certified housing counselor, will teach the classes. 

Holcroft has more than twenty-five years experience working as a housing counselor, mortgage banker and community lender. 

Holcroft has worked with Genesis Housing Corporation since 2001 and teaches monthly classes on credit, money management and the home buying process. Holcroft also provides individual housing counseling sessions to help clients achieve their financial goals. 

Holcroft has worked with families to restructure their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and reduce their debts.

Registration can be made online at www.genesishousing.org or by calling Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275- 4357. 

The Pottstown classes are funded, in part, by BB and T Bank through the PA Neighborhood Tax Credit Program. Additional funding was provided by Montgomery County.

Genesis Housing Corporation’s housing counseling programs provide free classes and individual counseling helping over 10,000 clients. 

Monthly classes focus on topics not taught in regular school including understanding credit, credit repair, money management, saving plans, grant programs and understanding the home buying process including selecting a realtor and finding the best mortgage.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation has served Montgomery County as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing, the revitalization of neighborhoods and educating consumers on housing and financial issues. 

Genesis Housing Corporation is approved by PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling. 

Genesis Housing Corporation is an approved agency for many programs including the Montgomery County First-time Home Buyers Program and the Norristown First-time Home Buyers Program. 

In addition, Genesis Housing Corporation has developed affordable housing by rehabilitating vacant homes, developing apartments and by building new housing for income eligible families. Genesis Housing Corporation also renovates existing owner-occupied homes for eligible households for the Montgomery County Homeowner Rehab Program.

For more information on Genesis Housing Corporation programs, call 610-275- 4357 or visit www.genesishousing.org or on Facebook (www.facebook/GenesisHousing).

Genesis Offers Pottstown Classes on Homebuying

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Genesis Housing Corporation.

Learn how to make the most of your money, to make smart money decisions and learn the best ways to reduce your debts. Learn how to improve your credit scores. Make good decisions with your money. Learn what they never covered in school!

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation, will hold FREE classes on Wednesday evenings, March 2nd, March 9th and March 16th from 7 to 9 PM, at the YWCA, 315 King Street in Pottstown.

The classes are designed to help to:

• Understand Credit -- Information on credit scores, improving your scores, re-establishing credit, dealing with debt. Class participants can obtain a free credit report with scores from the three major credit reporting services. (March 2, 2015)
• Money Management – Information on preparing realistic budgets that are more than just monthly bills, prioritizing spending in tough times and understanding how current spending impacts your future financial options. (March 9, 2015)
• Home Buying Basics -- Information the home buying process -- finding a realtor, home inspections, Agreements of Sale, mortgages and first-time homebuyer grant programs. (March 16, 2015)

Nikki Holcroft, an award winning and certified housing counselor, will teach the classes. Ms. Holcroft has more than twenty-five years experience working as a housing counselor, mortgage banker and community lender. Ms. Holcroft has worked with Genesis Housing Corporation since 2001 and teaches monthly classes on credit, money management and the home buying process.

Holcroft also provides individual housing counseling sessions to help clients achieve their financial goals. Holcroft has worked with families to restructure their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and reduce their debts.

Registration can be made online at www.genesishousing.org or by calling Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275-4357.

The Pottstown classes are funded, in part, by National Penn Bank. Additional funding was provided by Montgomery County.

For more information on Genesis Housing Corporation programs, please call 610-275-4357 or visit our web site at www.genesishousing.org.

A New Police Chaplain, a New Obstacle for Fecera's

Wednesday night's borough council meeting was only about an hour long, but boy, they sure covered a lot of ground.

Among the first orders of business was the appointment of the Rev. Bishop Everett Debnam as the official chaplain for the Pottstown Police Department.

Here's the video of the swearing in.



As those of us who know him well might expect, you won't be surprised to learn, Bishop Debnam had a few words to say after his appointment.

We captured those as well:


The council also got a somewhat lengthy presentation from the Montgomery County Planning Commission regarding its sparkly new county-wide comprehensive plan.

Then we discovered collectively that although the folks working to re-develop the former Fecera's building on Beech Street have been working over-time to try to establish more off-street parking to address concerns of council the community, it still won't be enough.

Despite doubling the off-street parking provided for the project, the new zoning regulations adopted by council, now require even more.

As a result, the folks from Genesis Housing and Housing Visions will have to go to the zoning hearing board -- again -- for a variance.

And, having fought hard to get council's support for the tax credit that makes the project's finances work, they may now have to fight to convince council not to send a letter to the zoning hearing board opposing their application.

Councilman Dan Weand, whose ward extends down to the corner of Beech and Evans streets, said he wants council to oppose the application. Council President Stephen Toroney, who wavered in his support for the project initially, said the die has been cast and the project should be allowed to move forward without any more opposition.

We'll see what happens Monday.

Also, Pottstown School Board member Ron Williams told council that the school board will oppose any zoning variance sought by the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities to expand its office operation into the 1887 mansion that borders its facility on North Franklin Street.

In the meantime, here are the Tweets from the meeting:

A Vote of Support and a Surprise Announcement

Mercury Photo by Kevin Hoffman

Council voted 6-2 last night to issue a letter of support that will be used in an application for tax credits to help redevelop the old Fecera's furniture warehouse at Beech and Evans into affordable housing for artists.

Well if would have been hard to be bored at Monday night's council meeting.

A flood of supporters spoke out in favor of the Beech Street Factory project and council voted 6-2 to sign a letter of support.

The letter will be part of an application for $1.2 million in low-income housing tax credits which are

Photo by Evan Brandt
Borough Council President Stephen Toroney, right, talks with
Councilwoman Sheryl Miller, center, and Deb Penrod after
Monday night's council meeting.

crucial to the financing of the $12.7 million project.

The project plans to put 43 affordable apartments for artists (and six for physically handicapped residents) into the old Fecera's furniture warehouse at Beech and Evans streets.

Also, almost as many landlords came to speak out against not only council's plan to increase rental inspections to once a year -- a plan they backed off last week; but also against the implementation of the Better Landlord program, which was also outlined last week.

But perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came at the end when Council President Stephen Toroney announced he will not run for reelection to a fifth term in November.

You can read my Mercury story about that here.

Other than that, here are your tasty Tweets, served up and ready to consume.

Celebrity Auction Benefits 15 Organizations

The TriCounty Community Network will hold a celebrity auction at SunnyBrook Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 24 starting at 5:30 p.m.

You are invited to enjoy a reception hour with the celebrities, bod on sports memorabilia, trips, hot air balloon rides and participate in a live auction for a chance to win a dinner for two with a celebrity.

Click here for a list of silent auction items.

Celebrities include:

David Akers, former kicker for the Eagles and six-time pro bowler; 

Bill Clement, former center for the Flyers, NHL all-star and ESPN analyst;

Rian Wallace, former linebacker for the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steeler;

Cherri Gregg, community affairs reporter for KYW Newsradio and master of ceremonies;

Michael Smerconish, CNN talk show host, with whom you can win a studio tour.

Local celebrities include:
State Senator Bob Mensch;
State Representative Mark Painter;
Mason Scherer, Associate Producer, Dateline NBC & NBC News;
Nancy March, Editor of The Mercury and Regional Editor for Digital First Media;
Steady Moono, Ed.D., Vice President, Montgomery County Community College;
Ashley Pultorak, Program Officer, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation;
Wil Hallman, President, Hallman Retirement Neighborhoods & President, SunnyBrook Foundation;

Tickets are $15 per person.

The event will benefit 15 local organizations including; 

Steel River Playhouse;

YWCA TriCounty;

Operation BackPack;

Laurel House;

Mosaic Community Land Trust;

Alzheimer's Association;

Women's Center of Montgomery County;

Pottstown Area Police Athletic League

Genesis Housing Corp.;

Pottstown Regional Public Library;

Boone Area Library;

Building a Better Boyertown;

TriCounty Community Network;

In Ian's Boots;

Community Health and Dental Care

The schedule is as follows:

• 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Reception Hour & Silent Auction. Meet the celebrities. Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
• 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Celebrity Auction
• 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m:. Dinner for Celebrity Auction Winners. Dinner will be held immediately following the live auction at SunnyBrook Restaurant.

Click here to order tickets.

A Cool Movie for a Hot Night Saturday

Genesis Housing Corporation has announced the second annual outdoor movie night will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Chestnut Street Park in Pottstown. 

This year’s movie will be Disney’s "Frozen."

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Chestnut Street Park at Washington and Chestnut Streets, Pottstown starting at 8 p.m. 

The event kicks off with Tom Carroll, a free balloon performer, followed by DJ music until dusk and then Disney’s "Frozen." 

The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 3.

This Pottstown Neighborhood Program is funded by National Penn Bank through the Neighborhood Tax Credit Program. 

More information is available by calling 610-275-4357, on the Genesis website at www.genesishousing.org and/or via email at info@genesishousing.org.

An Award Winning Garden

The MOSAIC Land Trust's Community Garden on Chestnut Street was one of five projects that were honored last month at the annual awards ceremony conducted by the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

This annual program recognizes the best in planning and design in Montgomery County and acknowledges the high-quality work and commitment of communities, organizations, and professionals.

The garden stand from which produce

grown at the garden is sold.

The four other projects receiving awards were Ambler Boiler House in Ambler Borough, Arborcrest in Whitpain Township, Arbor Heights in the Municipality of Norristown and Whitehall Townhouses in Lower Merion Township.

The community garden's award was presented because of its "creative vision, successful collaboration, strong community involvement and positive neighborhood impact," according to the information provided by the county.

Formerly a run-down park owned by the school district, the 8,400-square-foot garden was first conceived in the Washington Neighborhood Plan completed in 2010 by Genesis Housing Corp.

In 2011, the school district donated the site to the MOSAIC Community Land Trust to be redeveloped as a garden.

The plan showed 30 individual garden plots for residents and organizations and a gate, fencing, patio and wooden pergola were all added. There is also a shed with community tools, rain barrels, a compost bin, seeds and mulch for all to use.

Garden Manager Laura Washington

This year a bee hive was donated by a local beekeeper and a farm stand has been constructed to
sell some of the produce.

Twenty-two families and eight organizations have garden plots including Pottstown Middle School, Walnut Street Community Seventh Day Adventist Church, Genesis Housing, Olivet's Boys and Girls Club and a local restaurant.

Gardeners pay a small annual fee for their lot and this year logged more than 943 hours in the garden, harvesting more than 569 pounds of produce.

The garden's philosophy is to focus on health and nutrition, as well as the growing sense of community it fosters. it provides educational workshops for new and experience gardeners and sponsors many activities for both children and adults.

The garden stresses healthy eating and nutrition. Children

painted the garden's benches.

The Olivet Boys and Girls Club offers a summer youth program there, where children work on art
projects and tend to garden plots. This year, about 50 children participated, painting colorful garden benches, learning how to use binoculars, painting bird houses, creating mosaic tile stepping stones and using garden ingredients to make pizzas.

Funding was provided through the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, National Penn Bank, Susquehanna Bank, Genesis Housing Corp., Pottstown School District, the Borough of Pottstown, Lowe's, Davey Tree Experts, Andrew Monastra, P.C. and Colonial Gardens.

The project's success had led the organization to begin construction on a second garden at 616 Chestnut St.

The plan which got the whole thing underway

Visit www.montcopa.org/MontgomeryAwards for more on the 2013 winners, the awards program, and previous recipients. 

Hot Dogs, Gardens, Movies and More in the Core Neighborhood

National Night Out will be celebrated tonight at the park at

Chestnut and Washington Streets from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Things are hopping in Pottstown's Core Neighborhood, thanks to the efforts of numerous organizations, including the Mosaic Community Land Trust and its Community Garden, Genesis Housing Corp., National Penn Bank and ArtFusion 19464.

-- Tonight, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., all will join forces for National Night Out, a nationwide anti-crime event designed to help neighbors get to know each other and watch out for each other.

To be held at the Chestnut Street Park, at the corner with Washington Street, the event will include free hot dogs, donated Rita's Water Ice, pretzels, popcorn, balloons, a bean bag toss, other kids games and a disc jockey providing music.

Information booths from the organizers will also be on hand.

-- This event follows on the heels of Free Movie Night Sunday, during which more than 100 people packed at Chestnut Street Park with a showing of the Dr. Seuss classic, "The Lorax."

"The day began with a balloon artist making dozens of animals, claws, hats and other neat things out of balloons. Children stood in line to get a chance at owning one of the wacky balloon items," wrote Community Garden Manager Laura Washington in the most recent newsletter.

"Then as the sun set, neighborhood families headed over to the snack table to get their treats and drink in hopes to take a seat right in front of the big screen."

-- As for the MOSAIC's Community Garden, down the block at 423 Chestnut St., not only has been chosen as a finalist for the 2013 Montgomery County Planning Commission Awards but the garden has also been nominated for an award from the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Greening Project, Washington reports.

"The Planning Commission judges were very impressed with our garden and the PA Horticulture Society judges are planning to visit the garden in the next few week," she wrote in the garden's newsletter.

-- For those unlucky enough to miss out on getting a plot in the garden this year, fear not as work on creating a second garden at 615 Chestnut St. is underway right now.

-- An "All About Herbs" workshop will be held at the garden at 423 Chestnut St., during the Saturday, Aug. 10 "Work and Play Day."

"Tina will walk us through the many types of herbs grown in the wild and in our gardens. She will explain
culinary and medicinal uses of some of our most common herbs and lead a lesson on when and how to use them," wrote Washington.

-- On Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Learn how to set up your garden in a way that best for you and your plants! Uncover tips and tricks on how to keep pesky critters out (in a safe and natural way). Discover ways to keep your garden growing in the most productive and fruitful way long beyond the typical growing season! It's a great time learn and prepare for fall planting!

-- Look out for information about the garden's Produce Stand in The Mercury in the next few weeks. 

The children of the garden will be using the stand to sell produce and other goodies from the gardens and the art program. The proceeds will be used for additional youth programs/activities.

Give Yourself Some Credit

Blogger's Note: Now is a good time to sign up for free classes on cleaning up your credit, offered by Genesis Housing, which sent us this release.

There has never been a better time to make the most of your money and to “clean-up” your credit. Learn the best ways to reduce your debts. Learn how to improve your credit scores. Make good decisions with your money. Learn what they never covered when you were in high school!

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation, is bringing the FREE class series back to Pottstown on Tuesday evenings, July 30, Aug, 13 and Sept, 17 from 7 to 9 PM, at the Mosaic Community Land Trusts Offices, 10 South Hanover Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. The classes are offered every month in Norristown. This will be the second time this year to have the classes in Pottstown.

The classes are designed to help to:

• Understand Credit -- Information on credit scores, improving your scores, re-establishing credit, dealing with debt. Class participants can obtain a free credit report with scores from the three major credit reporting services (Tuesday, July 30).
• Money Management – Information on preparing realistic budgets that are more than just monthly bills, prioritizing spending in tough times and understanding how current spending impacts your future financial options (Tuesday, Aug. 13).
• Home Buying Basics -- Information the home buying process -- finding a realtor, home inspections, Agreements of Sale, mortgages and first-time homebuyer grant programs (Tuesday, September 17, 2013).

Nikki Holcroft, an award winning and certified housing counselor, will teach the classes. Ms. Holcroft has more than twenty-five years experience working as a housing counselor, mortgage banker and community lender.

Ms. Holcroft has worked with Genesis Housing Corporation since 2001 and

teaches monthly classes on credit, money management and the home buying process. Ms. Holcroft also provides individual housing counseling sessions to help clients achieve their financial goals. Ms. Holcroft has worked with families to restructure their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and reduce their debts.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275-4357 or online at www.genesishousing.org.

The Pottstown classes are funded, in part, by National Penn Bank. Additional funding was provided by Montgomery County. National Penn Bank is a member FDIC. National Penn Bank and Genesis Housing Corporation are nonaffiliated entities.

Genesis Housing Corporation’s housing counseling programs provide free classes and individual counseling helping over 7,000 clients. 

Monthly classes focus on topics not taught in regular school including understanding credit, credit repair, money management, saving plans, grant programs and understanding the home buying process including selecting a realtor and finding the best mortgage.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation has served Montgomery County as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and educating consumers on housing and financial issues. 

Genesis Housing Corporation has been certified as a FannieMae Counseling Agency and is approved by PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling. Genesis Housing Corporation is also an approved agency for many programs

The latest renovation by Genesis at 433 Walnut St.

Click here for details.

including the Montgomery County First-time Home Buyers Program and the Norristown First-time Home Buyers Program.

In addition, Genesis Housing Corporation has developed affordable housing by rehabilitating vacant homes and by building new homes for income eligible homebuyers. 

Renovated homes are currently available in Norristown and Pottstown. Genesis Housing Corporation also renovates existing owner-occupied homes for eligible families for the Montgomery County Homeowner Rehab Program and the Pottstown Homeowner Rehab Program.

Visit Genesis Housing on Facebook (www.facebook/GenesisHousing). For more information on Genesis Housing Corporation programs, call 610-275-4357 or visit the web site at www.genesishousing.org.

Help With Home Improvements

Blogger's Note: The following exciting announcement comes to the Digital Notebook in-box in the form of a press release from our friends at Genesis Housing. We regretfully note that the Digital Notebook industrial complex lies outside the area available for improvement grants, but bravely bring you the information nonetheless.

Genesis Housing Corporation is pleased to announce a new Pottstown Home Improvement Program to provide funds for home repairs.

Through a grant provided to Genesis Housing Corporation by National Penn Bank, the new program offers small dollar grants and/or small dollar, low interest loans to resident homeowners meeting the eligibility requirements for owner-occupied properties located within the targeted neighborhoods. 

Examples of eligible work are roofs, windows, heaters, sewer lines, electrical upgrades and other general home repairs.

Window replacements are among the upgrades the program will fund.

Genesis Housing Corporation will review applications from all interested homeowners living in the target areas for eligibility. 

Grants (generally capped at $4,000) will be offered to qualified applicants who need single system repairs like a new heater but are unable to afford the repair or replacement of the system. 

Loans may be used for any home improvement project. There is no home equity required. 

The eligible Pottstown neighborhoods are:

• Schuylkill River to High St, Manatawny St. to Washington St.; 
• High St. to Beech St., Manatawny St. to Warren St.; and 
• Beech St to Wilson St., Hanover St. / Farmington to Adams St. 

Applications are available by calling 610-275-4357, or on our website at www.genesishousing.org or via email at info@genesishousing.org.

National Penn Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. National Penn Bank is not

This re-habilitated home at 433 Walnut St. in Pottstown, 

with central air and new appliances is for sale for $74,900.
To learn more, follow this link.

affiliated with Genesis Housing Corporation. This program is funded by National Penn Bank through the Neighborhood Tax Credit Program.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served Montgomery County as a community housing development organization (CHDO) and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and to the education of consumers on housing and financial issues. General activities include the rehabilitation and new construction of homes to improve and stabilize neighborhoods and to provide opportunities for lower income homebuyers to purchase homes at affordable prices. 

Genesis Housing Corporation also provides monthly classes and individual counseling to help overcome barriers to home ownership, financial education and foreclosure prevention.

For more information about Genesis Housing Corporation and our programs, visit the website at www.genesishousing.org, email at info@genesishousing.org, visit us on Facebook or call 610-275-4357.

It's All Happening at the Library

Libraries are intended to be community gather places, a one-stop-shop for resources and, as always, a place
to get really great books, movies and music -- all for free.

And if you take a look at what's happening at libraries this month, you would be hard-pressed to disagree.

* So, as this flyer shows, the Pottstown Regional Public Library is celebrating "Family Reading Month" in April, challenging family to read together for 20 minutes a day for 20 days.

But you have to register by next Saturday.

* The Pottstown Regional Public Library is also hosting an important new workshop on Tuesday April 16 at 10 a.m.

That's when Genesis Housing Corp. and National Penn Bank will host a free workshop on "Banking Basics."


Topics will include: Banking for Real Life; Free and Low Cost Accounts; How to Start or Start Over; How to Avoid Identity Fraud.

It will also offer the opportunity to ask the experts your questions and chances to win door prizes.


For more information and to register, call 610-275-4357 or visit www.genesishousing.org


* Further, Danielle Small, library media specialist over at the Pottsgrove High School Library has announced  plans to celebrate National Library Week there, from April 14 to April 20.

The include Amnesty Day (April 15); Design Your Own Bookmark Day (April 16); and Student Drawing to win Barnes and Noble Gift Card Day (April 19).

Appropriately, National Library Week occurs during School Library Month, according to the American Library Association, which sponsors both celebrations.

School Library Month began in 1985 and the theme of the first national observance of School Library Month was "Where Learning Never Ends: The School Library Media Center."