New Organization Set To Serve Community

"Our hearts are to care for the community," said Kristen Hershey, vice president with the nonprofit SEEDS, an organization formed over the last several years to serve residents of the Conestoga Valley School District (CVSD). "We exist to build partnerships."

"Partnerships between schools, businesses, and other nonprofits," SEEDS president Michelle Kime elaborated.

SEEDS stands for selfless love, empowerment, equity, deliberate partnership, and stewardship. The idea for the organization was initiated by CVSD social worker Katie Reiff, who serves as SEEDS' secretary, about five years ago, when she recognized specific needs in the community that were not being met. The SEEDS leadership, which includes treasurer Sue Orth and board members Sally Bredeman, Chris Lautsbaugh, and Dan Cloyd, along with Hershey, Kime, and Reiff, has chosen to focus on education, housing, and health, and the group works to meet specific goals in each category.

In the area of education, the group's second endeavor in teaching free English as a second language classes will begin on Tuesday, March 21, and run each Tuesday and Thursday, through May 4, at Faith Church, 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. Child care and a meal are included. "We are looking for volunteers to provide child care, meals, and transportation (for the program)," noted Kime, who added that teachers have been secured.

To find out what additional classes area residents may want to take, SEEDS offers a survey at https://seedscv.com. "We have ideas (for classes)," said Kime, who noted that budgeting, stress management, and parenting topics have all been considered. "But we want to hear from people before we start programs."

To help with the issue of housing, SEEDS representatives are connecting with Good Samaritan Services and Homes of Hope. "We would love to work with landlords who are willing to use their property for additional Homes of Hope in the CV area," said Kime. "We have a big dream of renovating a hotel to provide additional housing," she added.

Providing health care services to the local community is another dream for the group. "We would love to find a central location in CV that would be accessible to everyone equally," said Hershey. "It would be amazing if we had a dental and medical clinic where kids could be bused during the school day for those needs to be met."

To learn about the best ways to provide services, SEEDS board members have turned to organizations in the county already at work in these areas. "We initially met with CrossNet (Ministries), The Factory (Ministries), and ECHOS," said Hershey, adding, "We ask questions, and they guide us. They are becoming our mentors. Kime pointed out that all three organizations have been "positive and welcoming."

Looking forward, SEEDS is planning an informational breakfast and a fundraising push. "Let's come together and love our community well," said Kime. More information on SEEDS may be found at the aforementioned website.