Lunch & Learn: Conversations with Our Community

In the spirit of the Pinchot Family, we are offering an opportunity to learn about organizations in our community. What they do, how to get involved, and how to get assistance.

Many believe that the Pinchot Legacy, and in that vein, Grey Towers Heritage Association is only about conservation. But they would be in error.

The Pinchots, starting as early as Gifford Pinchot’s grandfather Cyrill, were all about improving our community and helping the people living and working here.

When GTHA was planning their Lunch & Learn series, they believed it only fitting that one of their series should be devoted to community awareness of lesser known or understood organizations in our community. The efforts of the following groups mirror the Pinchot commitment to social justice issues, especially equality and access to basic services for all.

Knowing more about what these agencies do for our community and how to access them would enable you to help someone you know. You may even want to get involved! You can make a difference with the right information!

Each agency will have about 15 minutes to present information about their agency and at the end, there will be a Q&A.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez, ACLU of Pennsylvania Board of Director

ACLU defends the rights of all people nationwide. The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez is a national leading authority on leadership development, especially as it pertains to diversity and inclusion. She delivers keynote addresses and presentations drawing upon her experience from roles in the non-profit, private, and government sectors, as well as her doctoral research. Her research about Latina leadership in the United States has served as the foundation for events, conference sessions, publications, and content development — to address the urgency of leadership development for a fast-growing population and create a pipeline of diverse leaders. Read Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez’s biography.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) along with Pike County Children & Youth Foster Program

Dawn M. Allison, CASA Director

CASA aims to connect children being served by dependency courts with volunteer advocates who collect pertinent information about a child’s case to help the court act in the best interest of the child. Each volunteer is partnered with one child or family to serve as the child’s advocate.

A CASA volunteer gathers pertinent information about the case by talking to the child, family, and foster family, and relaying the information to the Judge during Court hearings.

Pike County Children and Youth

Carla Brown is the Resource Parent Coordinator for Pike County Children and Youth. This is the agency in our county that investigates and manages the referrals of child abuse and/or neglect. Carla’s role is to recruit, certify, guide, support, and advocate for the foster parents.

Children come into care for many different reasons due to addiction, homelessness, or any other circumstances that place children at significant risk to their safety.

The agency is in desperate need of resource (foster) parents/families that can provide a safe and loving environment while the agency works to reunify them with their family or provide permanency.

National Assoc for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Christa Caceres, Pike County Commissioner

In the past, Christa served on the board of Safe Haven of Pike County, and until recently she was President of the Monroe County NAACP chapter. In that capacity, she led the effort to create a Community Roundtable, uniting the heads of local law enforcement agencies in Pike and Monroe counties to address community issues and find mutual solutions. Read Christa Caceres biography.

The NAACP legacy is long, our work consistent: to build Black political, social, and economic power to end racial injustice.

We envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

Powering the movement for change.
Environmental Climate Justice, Race & Justice, Health & Well-Being, Inclusive Economy, Advocacy & Litigation, Next Generation Leadership

TriVersty

Taylor James, Executive Director

Taylor is a local performer and LGBTQ+ activist who has lived in Milford for 18 years. Taylor is the Executive Director of TriVersity Pride Center, where he is working hard to create and grow safe spaces for his LGBTQ+ community, and serves his community on the board of directors at Delaware Valley Action!

Community. Diversity. Equality. TriVersity is a Pride Center committed to serving the LGBTQ+ Community & our allies (i.e., our family or “fam”) living in or visiting the TriState region of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We offer events, educational programming, a media center & lending library, support groups, and more.

If you’re new here, we invite you to join us in our mission to make our area a safer and more equitable place for all.

Victims’ Intervention Program (VIP)

Chelsea Falotico, Community Outreach Manager

Chelsea has been in victim services for nearly 10 years. Starting as a Case Manager at a domestic violence shelter in New Jersey, she quickly realized that this was more than just “work” for her. It became her passion. Now, as the Community Outreach Manager of VIP, she takes pride in educating the community about the complex issues survivors of crime and abuse must face every day. Her excitement and energy has only grown after having her first child in 2021. With a new found desire to leave the world a safer place than she found it, Chelsea will continue to fight for the rights of victims and to end violence in our communities.

Educate~Empower~Envision. Helping Victims of Violence in Wayne County & Pike County

We educate the community on the issues of domestic and sexual violence-we empower victims and survivors to make the best choices for their individual situations-and we invite the community to envision a world free from violence.

Services: 24-Hour Help, Legal Assistance, Shelter & Empowerment, Counseling, Social Change, and Resources

This Lunch & Learn program includes a homemade hot lunch.

Please note this lecture space is only accessible via a one-flight staircase. No elevator or ramp access is available.