Our Staff
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.
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.
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!”
John Cutillo
Member since 2017
Owner & President, Cutillos Restaurant since 1987
Licensed Electrician since 1975
Residential & Commercial Building Contractor since 1982
Other Memberships
Coventry Christian Schools Board of Trustees
History with Project Purpose
John serves as a volunteer homework helper, working with middle school boys.
Sara Kratz
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."
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.”
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.”
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.