Project Purpose |Staff, Volunteers, & Board|

Our Staff

Rachel serves as Executive Director of Project Purpose. Rachel serves the students and families of Project Purpose, works with the Pottsgrove School District, runs Project Garden, and supports the growth of the organization. Rachel graduated from Messiah College with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has her Master's in Education and Special Ed. Cert.
Rachel loves watching our Project Purpose students grow and discover who God made them to be! She loves gardening, running, and knitting.

Our Volunteers

Over 100 indviduals serve by tutoring, mentoring, preparing our Wednesday meal, and helping in the garden. Volunteers come from over 10 local churches, all with the same mission: to share Christ's love with the students and families of Project Purpose. They desire to see their students find hope in their education, while coming to know Christ.

Volunteers who serve as homework helpers work with the same student each week, giving them the opportunity to mentor their student and his or her family.

Volunteers serve out of their love for God and obedience to His command to love their neighbors.

Volunteer with us

Our Board

Brandy Smale- President

Member since 2016

Owner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at ColorWorks

B.S. Economics, Lock Haven University

Other Memberships

Member at Chesmont Church of Christ

History with Project Purpose

Brandy began serving as a volunteer in 2011. From the start, she found joy in encouraging the middle school girls of the program. She has worked with the same family of girls since she began serving! Brandy's children served as tutors when they were in high school.

Andrew Van Cott- Vice President

Member since 2016

Associate Pastor at Spring Valley Community Church

B.A. Pastoral Ministry from the University of Valley Forge

Masters in Divinity from Biblical Seminary

Other Memberships

Spring Valley Community Church Elder

History with Project Purpose

“I started serving with Project Purpose in 2011 as a tutor along with my wife. We got connected with a boy and girl from the same family and tutored them for about 4 years. We loved our experience and felt like God was able to use us in the whole families life.”

Bill Bull- Treasurer

Member since 2016

Retired IT Analyst from Siemens Healthcare from 1989-2014

Graduate from Owen J. Roberts Area High School

Coursework at Penn State Berks & Great Valley, West Chester University, Ursinus College, Montgomery County Community College & Delaware Valley Community College. He worked as an IT Analyst from Siemens Healthcare from 1989-2014.

Other Memberships

Chesmont Church of Christ

2009-2015 Coventry Christian Schools Board of Trustees, Treasurer

History with Project Purpose

Bill has served as a tutor with Project Purpose since 2013.

Bill enjoys working with his elementary student, Kayo. He has known Kayo’s family for 2 1/2 years as he also served Kayo’s older brother.

Marcie Evangelist- Secretary

Member since 2017

Restore Consulting: Individually Focused Educational and Behavioral Consulting, Owner

B.S. Special Education, Gwynedd-Mercy University

M.S. Reading Specialist, Gwynedd-Mercy University

Past work experiences include 10 years as a middle school Special Education Teacher and serving as a Behavior Therapist

Other Memberships

Hope Community Church- Deacon

History with Project Purpose:

Marcie has served as a tutor with Project Purpose since 2014.

“As soon as I heard about Project Purpose I wanted to be a part of it. God has laid a burden on my heart for At-Risk children. Project Purpose is right here, in our community, and gives everyone the power to build the resilience factor for these incredible kids, simply by volunteering!”

Mark Niehls

Member since 2016

Director of Advancement for Coventry Christian Schools, Inc.

BS Biochemistry, Albright College

Graduate work in Education at Temple, Cairn, and Harding Universities

Other Memberships

Elder for the Chesmont Church of Christ

Chair, Board of Directors Wheeler Care Centers

History with Project Purpose

Mark served first as a volunteer in the basketball program and as a tutor since tutoring began in the 2011-2012 academic year.

"I believe volunteer service is the natural response or outgrowth of my conviction and belief that Christians are called to serve their fellow man expecting nothing in return. If you want to change the world, teach a child."

Erin Wade

Member since 2016

Coventry Christian School, Art Teacher

Assoc. Degree Reading Community College

B.A. Fine Arts Kutztown University

Post Bacc. Teaching Certificate Kutztown University

Other Memberships

Journey 53 and Trinity EC Church Boyertown

History with Project Purpose

5th year tutoring, working with Amiyyah currently going into 8th grade

“I was drawn to the program after working in the Reading School District and seeing the emotional and educational needs of students in that area. I wanted to help those students in my local community, PP was the perfect opportunity to connect with local students.”

Sara Ranck

Member since 2017

Program Coordinator at Bon Homie Adult Day Center

B.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies, Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Other Memberships

Northpointe Community Church, member, Pre-K Sunday School Teacher

Young Women's Ministry Leader

Bon Homie Better Day's Foundation, Board member

-Cross-Cultural Ministry experiences in India, Haiti, China, and Dominican Republic.

History with Project Purpose:

"I look forward to working with my student every week and seeing her grow in her education and faith. Serving with Project Purpose is a great way to mentor a student and share Christ's love with them. During the summers, I enjoy working with the students in our garden and watching them reap the harvest of their hard work."

Maria Benedict

Full-Day Kindergarten teacher, Ringing Rocks Elementary School; Pottsgrove School District

BS in Education from Baker University MS in Education from Walden University

Other Memberships

New Hanover United Methodist Church; Women’s Ministry Leader

History with Project Purpose

I have seen the positive impact of Project Purpose on my students and the excitement they get in taking part in the program. I have seen parent relationships strengthened with the school because their child is a part of Project Purpose. I believe in the mission of Project Purpose and am thankful to be a part of this program and a part of spreading God's word.

Navin Mathew

Member since 2020

Director of Operations, Branch Medical Group

B.S. Statistics, Madras Christian College
PG Diploma in Business & Strategic Management, Madras Christian College
MBA in International Business & Strategic Management, Temple University

Other Memberships/Affiliations:

Coventry Christian Schools, Vice Chair
Elder Board, Abundant Life Bible Church 2012-2014

Board Log-in

Project Purpose is financially supported by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. The Foundation began supporting us with a $20,000 grant in 2011 and has been faithfully supporting us ever since. We are honored to be a recipient of their grant making.