NOVA

NOVA is deeply grateful to the JK12 Foundation for their generous donation from the Joey Kay Memorial Race. 🧡 Created to carry forward the light and love of Joseph Kay, the Foundation continues his legacy of joy, kindness, and connection by supporting meaningful causes in our community. This year’s race brought together friends, family, and the dirt track community to honor Joseph through an event he would have truly loved. Thank you to the Kay family and the JK12 Foundation for choosing NOVA to be part of this tribute. 📸 Pictured: NOVA Advocacy Coordinator Stephanie Shantz, NOVA Executive Director Penny Ettinger, NOVA Advocate Karen Matthews, Rachel Kay, Katie Taylor, Ryan Taylor, and NOVA Advocate Alyssa Kuryluk.

This Giving Tuesday, we’re launching our year-end campaign with a message that reflects the reality facing NOVA and victim service organizations across Pennsylvania: This year, we’re doing more with less. Yet the need for NOVA’s services has never been greater. Delays in the state budget and reduced funding at the local, state, and federal levels have created deep challenges for nonprofits like ours. At the same time, the trauma experienced by survivors in our community is growing more complex — layered with mental health needs, financial strain, and housing insecurity. But through every challenge, one thing hasn’t changed: When someone in Bucks County experiences violence, NOVA is the place they can turn for safety, healing, and hope. As we begin this season of giving, we’re asking our community to stand with us. Your generosity ensures that no survivor is turned away, no vital service goes unfunded, and every person who reaches out finds someone ready to listen, support, and help them take the next step toward healing. If you’re able, please consider making a Giving Tuesday or year-end gift today. Your support makes an immediate and meaningful difference. 🧡 Donate at novabucks.org/donate Thank you for believing in this work and in the survivors we serve.

A huge thank you to the Central Bucks South Boys Lacrosse Team for hosting their annual food drive and coming out to NOVA to assemble bags of donations for families in need. For 18 years, this team has shown up with compassion and dedication, helping to ease the burden on families facing challenging times. As always, these donations make a tremendous difference. Many of the families we serve are navigating difficult situations, and having support with holiday meals and essentials brings a little extra comfort during these times. Thank you, CB South Lacrosse, for being part of the NOVA family and making this season brighter for others!

The NOVA business offices will be closed today, November 28th. As always, our 24-7 Helpline is open and available at 1-800-675-6900.

At this time of year, many people reflect upon what they appreciate the most. At NOVA, we are most thankful for our caring community and our dedicated volunteers, donors, supporters, and staff. NOVA’s mission could never be accomplished without the time, talent, and support that each of you provide. We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃 The NOVA business offices and NOVA Thrift Shop will be closed today, November 27th, and tomorrow, November 28th, for the Thanksgiving holiday. NOVA’s Helpline is always open and available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-675-6900.

Please join us in congratulating the following staff members who are celebrating their NOVA anniversaries this month! We are honored to recognize TWO extraordinary milestones this month. 25 years ago (on the same day!), both Mary Worthington and Jen Cooney joined the NOVA family. 🏫 Mary began her journey as a part-time Prevention Educator and is now our Director of Education and Training. She leads with compassion and kindness, has a clear vision for what our community needs, and has built an incredible Prevention team through inspiration and inclusion. 📞 Jen has been the face of NOVA for thousands of survivors of sexual assault, meeting them in local emergency departments or answering the NOVA Helpline with a steady, reassuring presence in the middle of the night. Her unwavering commitment to NOVA’s mission, her calm demeanor, and her deep knowledge set an example for us all. Thank you for your remarkable dedication to NOVA’s mission. 🧡

A heartfelt thank you to American Heritage Credit Union for their generous delivery of brand-new Scholastic books to NOVA and the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center! 📚 Thanks to American Heritage's "Books for Kids" program, children in our community receive books that offer comfort, optimism, and a sense of calm during unfamiliar or challenging moments. We are honored to be included as recipients this year, and we know these stories will bring warmth and hope to the children we serve. Thank you, American Heritage, for your continued support and partnership in helping local children and families feel seen, supported, and cared for. 🧡 📸 Pictured: NOVA Board Member Joe Littman of American Heritage Credit Union and NOVA Director of Prevention and Training Mary Worthington.

NOVA was proud to be represented by our Victim Advocacy Coordinator, Stephanie Shantz, in Harrisburg last week for the launch of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s new Elder Exploitation Section. This important initiative will strengthen protections for older Pennsylvanians by focusing on cases of financial exploitation, deception, and theft. These crimes are often committed by individuals in positions of trust, making both awareness and accountability essential. With a dedicated team already addressing active cases, the Elder Exploitation Section will bring critical resources to complex investigations and help ensure that seniors across the Commonwealth receive the protection and justice they deserve. NOVA is grateful to stand with fellow advocates and agencies committed to safeguarding our communities’ older adults.

NOVA and NOVA Thrift Shop staff were delighted to attend The Woman’s Club of Perkasie’s Thrifty Fashion Show this past weekend! 👠👗👒 In addition to the fashion show highlighting thrifted looks, the event included a special raffle benefiting NOVA and featured a NOVA Thrift Shop pop-up shopping area. The Woman’s Club has been a longtime supporter of NOVA, especially our Forensic Nursing Program, and we are truly grateful for their continued support of our mission. Thank you for making this event such a meaningful one!