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Our Staff

 

Our Volunteers

 

Our Volunteers
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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.

Andrew Van Cott- Vice President

Member since 2016

Associate Pastor at Connections 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.”

Erin Wade- Secretary

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

8+ years serving as a tutor. 

 

“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.”

Tammy Young- Treasurer  

Member since 2021

Preschool teacher for Pre-K Counts with the MCIU

BA in Liberal Arts and PA Early Childhood Certification

Other Memberships 

Calvery Chapel of Chester Springs

History  with Project Purpose 

I serve at Project Purpose to help the children and families that are part of my community and to be a light for our Lord.

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."

Maria Benedict

Member Since 2018

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.

Jarret Diettrich 

Member Since 2022

Owner/President/Commercial Division Manager K.J. Door Services, Inc.

BS Mechanical Engineering Penn State University

Other Memberships

Journey Church; JRNY Kids Teammate; Home-group Leader; Financial Peace University Coordinator

History with Project Purpose 

Our church hosted a leadership night where they encouraged us to sign up with a volunteer organization of our choice, as a way to go out in the world and share the love of Jesus.  Project purpose was one of the options that stood out to me because I liked working with kids.  Over the years I’ve grown to love the mission and the kids.

Roberto Calderon 

Member Since 2022

Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin

 

B.S.  Engineering, Electrical & Computer Science, Stevens Institute of Technology

M.S. Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

 

Other Memberships

Member of Hope Community Church, Gilbertsville PA

 

History with Project Purpose

Roberto has served with us a tutor since 2014.  My prayer is that God can use me in some small way to lead or point the children of our community to our Savior by serving Him in this ministry. 

Kymm Steliga 

Member Since 2022

CCS parent and homemaker

Human Resources professional with 15 years of experience, most recently in healthcare industry

B.A., Psychology, Millersville University, Millersville, PA

Other Memberships

Connection Church, Pottstown, PA

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Coventry Christian Schools

History with Project Purpose

I welcomed the opportunity to join Project Purpose after hearing many stories of the impact the volunteers and staff had on the kids and families in Pottstown. Serving the community in this program is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with our neighbors.

Our Board

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.

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