Who are some of the most influential people in your life?

Parent—A spouse Or someone special you celebrate in May for Mother’s Day or in June for Father’s Day. Perhaps a neighbor, a friend, a colleague or another family member, may have been that influencing person that gave you sound guidance. Likely, a figure from the past, a celebrity, a writer or artist shaped your thinking through a film, a book or a painting. All sorts of people influence us in different ways—empowering us, comforting us, dragging us along when we dig in our heels to avoid a new experience, and encouraging us to persevere as we work toward our dreams.

The late Fred Rogers—minister, educator and beloved host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”—had an exceptional ability to influence millions of people at a time by making each individual feel special. After the senseless and tragic Boston Marathon bombings, I read this quote he wrote, “When I was a boy I would see scary things in the news. My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” What an impact Mrs. Roger’s words made on Fred and now, on us.

My mother at 97 still plays a significant part of my life. Look at her stance and attitude in the picture below. Her “look” is filled with vim, vigor and vitality. Her will to live is unstoppable – she is amazing. She was 94 when the picture was taken and while her life has changed as she has aged, I continue to learn from my mother. I have learned more about myself, and of her, through this journey of life we are on together. Undeniably, the strongest force of love was defined by the love given to me by my parents. The very last words to my beloved father as he passed on, “You were the best daddy in the world. Thank you for loving me.” I’m blessed to have my mother near and show her my love every day and to feel hers, unconditional and fierce as ever. I honor my mother and father for all they were to me when I was growing up and for the way they have shaped the person I have become. An indelible print embedded in my soul.

This issue of The Women’s Journal, Chester County Edition, celebrates people who influence lives in a positive way. Articles by new sponsors and continuing contributors showcase people who educate, enrich and empower us. I invite you to learn more from them.

• Lamb McErlane – attorneys who are influencing women who play integral roles in the workplace, family and community.
• Chester County Historical Society – an organization that highlights people who shaped history and teachers who help the next generation understand the role of our past during National History Day.
• Organizations that have a huge positive effect on women and their families – Wings for Success, providing wardrobes and skills for life; the March of Dimes, working for stronger, healthier babies; and Home of the Sparrow, lending support to women who want to change their lives.
• The Chester County Pops Orchestra – a group that is highlighting two women who pass along lessons from their music teachers to their music students today.
• West Chester Public Library Literacy Heroes – community members who make a significant impact on literacy and learning in our region and beyond. Special congratulatory wishes to TWJ’s contributing editor, Carol Metzker for being named one of this year’s Literacy Heroes, as “Local Author Hero.”
• Healing Art Works – the nonprofit organization spotlighted in this issue’s “Hearts on Fire” column.
• Healthcare providers that help us heal – The Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA founded by Jeffrey Harris, DMD; and doctor’s Express urgent Care Center.
• Chambers of Commerce that shape local businesses and the economic health of our community – the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce with a new Latino Business Initiative, and the Society of Professional women’s program of adolescent girls through Tech Girlz.
• Mattia Landscaping – influencing us through their creation of beautiful outdoor living spaces.
• Dennis Wallace – providing personal, professional financial guidance as you consider retirement or change jobs.
• Gifford Photography – gives you lasting memories of influential times and people…with perfect photos.

In honor of all the influential people in our lives…thank you. To mothers and fathers all over the world, we celebrate you!

With a culture of leadership and participation in the judicial and political institutions that shape our laws, as well as extensive community, philanthropic and charitable involvement, the Lamb McErlane team is well situated to help clients achieve their business and personal objectives.

Personal Attention

Lamb McErlane pairs the breadth of services one would expect from a downtown firm with the personal attention typically associated with a neighborhood law office. Known to be one of the most sophisticated, diverse and respected boutique practices in the suburban Delaware Valley, Lamb McErlane has delivered competent, dedicated and results-oriented legal services since its founding.

Experience, Innovation, Knowledge

Attorneys at Lamb McErlane include former district attorneys, civil litigators, and a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice. They frequently speak at Bar Association seminars, teaching peers the nuances of a particular area of the substantive or procedural law. Lamb McErlane attorneys are also actively involved in the community, serving on numerous business, political and charitable boards.

Lamb McErlane attorneys are also at home in the business and political spheres; many serve on state and federal commissions and on chambers of commerce. Lamb McErlane attorneys write regularly on the law, educating other attorneys and members of the public. A high percentage of Lamb McErlane attorneys have repeatedly been designated Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and have received an “AV – Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell.*

Trusted Advisors

When diverse experience, intelligence and hard work come together, the result is an effective, powerful team. The firm’s attorneys practice in a variety of legal areas, making Lamb McErlane a full-service law firm with sought-after expertise and sophistication. Lamb McErlane’s goal is to deliver results with old-fashioned personal service. Whether the client is an individual, a small business, or a national or international corporation, the team at Lamb McErlane understands that each client and each case presents an opportunity to build a long-term relationship.

Lamb McErlane looks forward to delivering a rewarding legal experience for you.

* Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis and represent no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state. AV Preeminent® is a significant rating accomplishment – a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

Lamb McErlane PC

610.430.8000
24 E. Market St., PO Box 565 West Chester, PA 19381
www.lambmcerlane.com

There are many reasons people seek a divorce. Some have tragic stories and situations, while others have simply grown apart and become different people than they were when they were first married.

If you are considering moving forward with a divorce, make an appointment for a consultation and speak with a domestic law attorney. This is an attorney who practices specifically on legal issues related to divorce, custody, support for you, for your children, and the division of the marital estate. At Lamb McErlane PC, we understand that it is important for you to speak with an attorney who practices daily in this area, who knows the rules and case law, the local court systems. And to have an attorney who can advise you regarding the best way to handle your specific issues. Our firm has legal professionals dedicated solely to dealing with family law issues so that you receive professional and compassionate representation.

When you meet with your attorney, remember, the meeting is between you and the attorney. The meeting, and everything that is discussed, is confidential. This is your opportunity to ask questions and consider in detail your personal and financial information. The information that you bring to your consultation helps streamline the    discussion.    W hen    discussing    divorce, financial information becomes very important. Organize a list of all of your accounts (bank, investment, retirement), your debt (mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, auto loans), life insurance policies, pensions, and any valuable assets you have such as jewelry, artwork, or collectibles.

During the consultation, you will gain insight into Pennsylvania’s domestic rules and we will tailor our discussion to your particular needs and goals. You may never have had to deal with a budget, or pay bills, or worry about childcare. We can provide insight into these areas so that you are more comfortable with what decisions and responsibilities you may have following a divorce. Or, you may be the income earner in the household and want to ensure that your hard work will be recognized and preserved. In some situations, you and your spouse may not be on speaking terms. This means that choosing an attorney to represent your interests is even more important. However, you and your spouse may be able to work together and form options for the best way to move forward and meet your individual and common goals.

While the divorce process can be very focused on financial information, we recognize that this is also a very emotional process. You are not alone. We understand that it is important for you to have a support system. Along with your attorney, having friends and family who will stay in contact with you throughout the process, is quite beneficial. By keeping yourself emotionally healthy, you will be able to handle the necessary steps as you proceed through a divorce and become financially secure to begin the next phase of your life.

So, are you heading down the path to divorce? Maybe, maybe not. But remember, knowledge is power. And you can be in control of your future.

Lamb McErlane PC

610.430.8000
24 E. Market St., PO Box 565 West Chester, PA 19381
www.lambmcerlane.com

What can employers do when their employees lament to the online world about their supposedly awful employers? An infuriated employer may wish to promptly escort a publicly grumbling employee directly to the exit door with an express invitation to never return. But in doing so, is the employer asking for a wrongful termination lawsuit? As with most legal concepts, it depends.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a series of decisions and reports about such scenarios as well as memoranda regarding social media policies that offer guidance to employers.Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), it is permissible for employees to discuss their working conditions freely, whether the discussion is held in the office or on a social media site. If employees communicate with one another for the purpose of improving wages and working conditions then their speech is protected by federal law. The speech of a single employee, however, who posts an offensive tirade unrelated to working conditions, is not protected. It is essential for an employer to understand the difference between those two standards in order to protect itself from exposure to liability.

For example, in a recent decision involving the New York company Hispanics United of Buffalo, Inc., the NLRB concluded that five employees had been wrongfully terminated for posting angry complaints about their workloads. The employeesmadethecommentsinresponseto a coworker who had posted an allegation that other employees did substandard work. Based on the five employees’ Facebook postings made directly in response to the coworker who had complained, the employer terminated the five employees for purportedly violating the company’s harassment policy. The NLRB, however, found that the posts were the type of “concerted activity” that is protected by the Act and that the five had been wrongfully terminated.

These circumstances are distinguishable from an employee acting solely on behalf of him or herself who posts an offensive or disparaging remark about his employer. When faced with questionable online postings or blogs, employers should consult with employment counsel to ensure their responsive actions do not violate the law.

Complaints about the workplace are not the only posts or conversations about which an employer should be wary. Employers have a vested interest in ensuring that employees’ social media communications comply with company policies (such as harassment policies) and that employees do not disclose confidential information or company trade secrets.

In order to do so, employers should seek legal counsel to make certain that they have a well- written social media policy in place. Social media policies should impose specific rules and guidelines regarding prohibited conduct, including illusory examples, rather than blanket prohibitions. Limiting employees’ social media posts for the good of the company without crossing the legal line is a difficult task and one best left to employment counsel.

At Lamb McErlane PC we provide advice and training for employers on harassment, discipline, discharge of employees and other workplace issues in order to reduce liability exposure. We have significant experience in representing employers in federal court, state court and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Commission (PHRC).

Lamb McErlane PC

610.430.8000
24 E. Market St., PO Box 565 West Chester, PA 19381
www.lambmcerlane.com

Your Home’s Landscape

A home’s landscape design contributes dramatically to its appearance. When implemented well, the landscape creates a setting for the home that compliments and enhances the architecture. It extends living space with outdoor entertainment areas. It enhances the exterior beauty of a home.

Mattia Landscaping, Inc. has been in the landscape/hardscape business for the past 25 years, serving the residents of southeastern Pennsylvania from its headquarters in Downingtown. The company is a member of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association. Company members take pride in their quality workmanship, professionalism and dependability.

Mattia Landscaping’s professionally-designed landscapes and hardscapes—gracious patios, welcoming walkways and bordering walls— transform yards into inviting outdoor living spaces. Mattia’s professional team treats each design and installation individually so that it meets clients’ personal preferences and budgets.

Services for Sublime Outdoor Spaces

Mattia Landscaping offers full-service landscape/hardscape design and installation, specializing in custom hardscaping, including masonry work, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, patios, walkways and pool decks.

Landscape Design and Installation

Mattia’s designer meets with you at your home to discuss your ideas and plans for using an area. The designer helps you consider: areas of sunlight and shade, privacy preferences, colors and textures desired, and slopes and elevations in the landscape. A “Needs Assessment Form” completed by clients helps Mattia determine a comprehensive plan to enhance your property’s appearance and value, satisfy needs and wants, and create a space to use and enjoy for years to come.

“We are so happy with the work you and your crew did. The patio is beautiful and even better than we hoped it would be. It has received countless compliments from friends and family.”
- Lisa M.

Patios and Walkways

Mattia Landscaping, Inc. installs pavers manufactured by E.P. Henry, Techo-Bloc and Belgard. The company also installs natural flagstone and stone. Mattia’s designer helps you consider the uses for a patio, and patio shape and size to accommodate those uses. The designer will take into account frequency and size of gatherings or parties, areas needed for grilling or food preparation, or your desire to simply sit back and relax.

Mattia’s designer considers your needs and desires when designing a walkway: whether you want it to be a focal point of your home’s landscape, the main entrance to your home, or both. Those factors determine size, shape and materials to meet your needs now and in the future.

“We are getting a ton of raves about our patio from the neighbors. People love the grill cut out and the curved wall. …Once again, we
appreciate the work you did on it for us.”
- George S.

Walls

Walls may be built to hold back a hillside, to level an area to make it more useful, to support a patio or walkway, to sit on or to serve as a backdrop for landscaping. Whether it is a segmental wall by Techo-Bloc, E.P. Henry or Belgard or a beautiful, natural stone or brick wall, Mattia Landscaping will build a quality wall system that will last over time and enhance your landscape.

“We are very happy with the design and quality of work that you and your crew did on our hardscaping project. Our friends, neighbors and family all think it is beautiful.”
- Michael M.

Property Maintenance

Mattia Landscaping’s professional, experienced team stands behind its work—a full range of residential and commercial landscaping services. Mattia offers competitive prices and unmatched project continuity from design and installation to maintenance. Its diverse services include:

Residential Services

• Spring and fall clean-ups
• Mulching
• Weed control in flower beds
• Customized bed maintenance contracts
• Small tree pruning and shrub maintenance

Commercial Services

• Property maintenance contracts
• Lawn mowing
• Bed maintenance
• Spring and fall clean-ups Mulching
• Tree and shrub pruning
• Customized lawn treatment programs

Call Mattia Landscaping today and enjoy four seasons of beauty right in your own backyard.

Downingtown, PA 19335 Phone: 610-269-9945 Email: mattialandscaping@verizon.net www.mattialandscaping.com

Researchers from the Hearing Restoration Project—a group of senior researchers with the goal of delivering a biologic cure for hearing loss and supported by the Hearing Health Foundation—recently restored inner ear cells called hair cells in a mouse, according to an article in H    earing Health Magazine (Spring 2013). Workers at several laboratories in the United States are looking at ways to transfer that breakthrough and others to ways that can help people who have hearing loss due to age, noise exposure and other damaging conditions.

The Inner Ear at Work

The human inner ear—called the cochlea and which looks like a shell—plays an important role in hearing. Hair cells in the cochlea change sound waves to electrical waves that work with our nerves and brain. On top of these hair cells are cilia, which are sensitive to movement. As the cilia bend they release an electrochemical response, which the brain can then interpret as “hearing.” To this date, once the cilia die from lack of blood flow (caused by diabetes, high blood pressure or aging), medications, renal problems, environmental noise or a genetic predisposition to hearing loss, the only recourse is hearing aids or—for profoundly deaf individuals—cochlear implants.

Hear the News Now!

Until medical advancements have produced a cure for hearing loss, don’t miss out on hearing the news—and music, conversation and other wonderful sounds—now. Today, hearing aids are the best solution for people with hearing loss. They help make speech more clear and help us hear sounds necessary for survival.

ABC Hearing can help. ABC stays abreast of the latest research and technology. and can help you stay updated, too. Dr. Judy Curtin, audiologist, applies that knowledge as she helps clients with hearing exams, strategies for hearing better, and hearing aids. Furthermore, ABC offers trial demonstrations and a 45-day trial period (extending the usual 30-day return period) for all hearing aids. With the right hearing aid, the right audiologist and the correct readiness of the person, success is ensured. Conversation is made easy again, confidence is restored and listening fatigue is gone.

Listen to What People Are Saying

“Two years ago I was diagnosed with a dysfunctional eustachian tube, which causes hearing loss. After the standard trial period with hearing aids, I decided at 60 I would manage quite well without them. I wasn’t ready to be fiddling with devices and replacing batteries every other day.

Over time, however, I could tell that I was missing out on too much because I wasn’t able to hear people speaking in a variety of settings, especially noisy restaurants.

Pressing the pause button on the remote in order for my husband to explain something I had missed was all too frequent .

When a friend recommended Dr. Judith Curtin, an audiologist and speech pathologist in West Chester, I decided to address the problem. Dr. Curtin introduced me to the Lyric hearing device which sits deep in my ear canal and is invisible to oberservers. After a week, this device changed my life. I can hear and participate in conversations, a choir and riding lessons. Lyric has worked for me wonderfully.”

Call for an appointment: Dr. Judy Curtin, Au.D., ABC Hearing Net 610-431-2411

“ A cure for hearing loss is on the horizon. In the meantime, A BC H    earing Net is here to help you hear more good news now .”
—Dr. Judith A. Curtin, Au.D., ABC Hearing Net

ABC Hearing Net

Judith A. Curtin, AuD, CCC A/SLP. Dr. Curtin is an award winning and aaa Board Certified audiologist and a aSha certified speech pathologist. She has practiced aural habilitation/ re-habilitation audiology for more than 30 years. an innovator in her field, she was an early implementer of comprehensive, integrative audiology programs to help older adults get maximum benefit from hearing aids and develop listening strategies. She has been a faculty member at West Chester University since 2000.

Francis H. Curtin, BSEE. Mr. Curtin has more than 25 years of electronic and software engineering with extensive experience in specification, design and verification of electronic systems. he is a licensed hearing care specialist in the state of Pennsylvania. he helps clients with hearing aids and assistive listening devices.

After her passing in 2002, I began giving p aintings to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center where Sue had spent many hours in the Women’s Health Center. Sue had a great appreciation for the arts; she was my art mentor and biggest promoter of my watercolor and oil paintings.

In 2005, I mentioned my passion for placing original artwork in patient rooms to the director of a prestigious art show. I commented that my only regret was I would not live long enough to give a painting for every room on the Women’s Health Center floor in Hershey. That conversation gave birth to the idea of creating a non-profit organization where others could donate original artwork for use in helping patients heal.

Friends, artists and the public encouraged me and stepped in to help in the creation of Healing Art Works. To date, we have given more than 300 pieces of original artwork to various hospitals and health care facilities, including Cooper Hospital, The Chester County Hospital and Health System, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge® and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

On a recent visit to a hospital, I met a patient whose room features one of my paintings. She thanked me for giving her something beautiful to look at each morning when she awoke. At that moment, I knew, indeed, that healing art works. Sue would be pleased with our work.

Dorothy Alexander Muccilli

Dorothy Alexander Muccilli is CEO and Founder of Healing Art Works. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the Pennsylvania State University. She retired from teaching to raise her family, but pursued other business opportunities during those years. She taught extensive needlework courses in cross-stitch, quilting, embroidery and needlepoint. Additionally, she co-founded a needlework business called Crossroads.

An artist of both watercolor and oil, Dottie currently belongs to several art groups and is represented in galleries. She donates pieces of her artwork to charities on a regular basis. Other charitable works include extensive volunteering for a variety of causes including local schools, the literacy program at her local library, and homeless shelters.

Partners in Art

Healing Art Works (HAW) partners with one health care institution at a time for a two-year period. For 2012-2013, that partner is The Chester County Hospital and Health System. The board of HAW approached hospital members in the summer of 2011, just as they were preparing to break ground for its new patient wing. They were thrilled at the opportunity to have original, high quality artwork procured, framed and donated for use in patient spaces in the new Tower.

Solicited from August 2012 to August 2013, donations are juried for acceptable quality and content, then collected and framed. In February, 54 pieces of framed original art were delivered to the CCH.

Artist at Work

Lin Webber is a traditional watercolor painter working in a realistic style. Her paintings are bright with light and often have strong contrast. Included in her subject matter are country landscapes, coastal scenes, wooden boats, reflections in water and glass, interiors, and still life.

Juried shows that have exhibited Webber’s work for many years include Yellow Springs and Immaculata, both well-known in southeastern Pennsylvania. She has created a series of prints for children, as well as illustrated three cookbooks.

Much of Webber’s time is spent with two groups of women painters: Flying Colors Fine Artists which meets weekly in Glenmoore, PA, and has an annual show at the Montgomery School; and The Artists Circle, which meets bi-monthly in Paoli and has an annual show at St Luke Lutheran Church in Devon. Members of both groups enjoy workshops, demonstrations, and lectures by local artists. Besides painting together, the artists attend local and national shows. They have organized painting trips to Cape Cod, Maine, the British Isles, and Continental Europe.

Webber’s studio that she shares with her daughter and artist April D’Angelo is in her home in Glenmoore. Visitors are welcome by appointment.

www.healingartworks.org

By Dorothy Alexander Muccilli, CEO and Founding Director of Healing Art Works

The medical community now has substantial evidence that there is a frequent and direct connection between headaches and migraines, and dental-related force imbalances. While care providers had speculated for years that there may be a link between certain pain conditions (i.e., headache, migraine, temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders, face pain, chronic head and neck tension, etc.) and various dental force imbalances, nobody knew for certain. This is no longer the case.

Headache and migraine pain can destroy your quality of life. Many unfortunate sufferers of headaches and migraines frequently miss work and social engagements, and far too many self- medicate or rely too heavily on prescription narcotics to get through another day because they know of no other way to cope. Some feel chained to their migraine or headache pain.

There is Help

The Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA is making the link from advancements in clinical data to practical application of that information for successful treatment of headache and migraine pain. The Center is employing breakthrough treatment protocols for long-term pain relief and has successfully reduced and or completely eliminated pain in numerous patients.

The Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA treats the root causes for headache and migraine pain, using pioneering therapies to get teeth, muscles, nerves and joints working in harmony. Through the use of such technologies as cold laser, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other therapies, the Center is able to rehabilitate the areas of neuromuscular stress in the head, neck and face. In conjunction with adjustments to the jaw and teeth, the Center works to restore the harmony and balance your body is seeking to achieve. Many patients experience some level of pain relief even after their first therapy visit. However, with a full course of treatment most patients are completely pain free – for the long term.

Learn More

Please visit www.headacheReliefPA.com. and review our compelling video testimonials. Hear what the Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA’s patients have to say about their pain relief experiences. Learn more about The Center’s unique treatments and the reasons other health professionals refer patients to The Center.

If you are suffering with headaches or migraines, or know someone who does, please call 610-388-6789. Headache and migraine pain should not be a life sentence. The Center warmly welcomes you.

The Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA is currently accepting new patients. Call 610-388-6789 or visit www.headachedReliefPa.com to learn more.

“I suffered with headaches for 2 years. I was treated for sinus infections… I had been to the hospital three times to a neurologist and to a chiropractor. I was put on about six or seven prescription medications that actually gave me worse side effects. After two years, my grandmother saw an article in the paper about Dr. Harris. I was skeptical after going through so many different things and nothing was helping, but I gave it a go. After 12 weeks of therapy I was headache-free.”
—Chelsea C.

Jeffrey Harris, DMD

Dr. Harris attended Temple University School of Dentistry and joined the Academy of General Dentistry soon after graduation in 1985. He is highly committed to providing the most advanced treatments available today for general dentistry, chronic headaches and migraines, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and common jaw discomforts, neuromuscular imbalance and chronic tension, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and sleep apnea.

Dr. Harris devotes  significant time to professional development to stay at the cutting-edge of medical dentistry, technologies and patient care. He regularly donates time to teaching dental students at The T emple University – Kornberg School of Dentistry.

In 2012, Dr. Harris founded the Migraine Headache Relief Center of PA to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment protocols available for resolving headaches, migraines, and TMJ disorders to the greater Philadelphia region. Dr. Harris now serves patients throughout the tri- state area (DE, PA, NJ).

“We are thrilled to have such an experienced and passionate executive director in LeeAnn,” said Mary Pat Knauss, president of Wings’ board of directors. “Last year Wings served more than 580 women throughout Chester County, and with LeeAnn’s leadership we hope to expand our reach to provide clothing and training for even more women in 2013.”

LeeAnn Riloff brings more than 20 years of non-profit experience to Wings, whose goal is to help women achieve autonomy, success and confidence through programs including clothing appointments, life skills workshops, and personalized guidance from carefully selected and trained volunteers. Most recently, Riloff served as the director of development for the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County. She was also the director of stewardship at Bryn Mawr College after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

“After spending most of my career working for organizations that support women and advance women’s issues, I am extremely excited to help lead an organization like Wings that has such a proven track record of success,” said Riloff. “With so many talented volunteers and a strong board, the growth opportunities are significant for Wings to expand its reach in this community.”

In 2011, Monica Dulemba created a presentation for her employer, DNB First, about Kennett Square and learned that 48 percent of the population of the borough is Latino in ethnic origin.

Dulemba, an active member of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce (SCCCC) who serves as an Ambassador, brought that startling fact to the leadership of the Chamber. As SCCCC membership chair, I led previous discussions to create a task force to learn why so few Latino businesses were Chamber members. This new found research is key to creating a new initiative.

That compelling demographic propelled us forward, first by earning the full approval of the SCCCC Board of Directors for forming a task force, then by establishing contacts in the Latino community.

A New Initiative in 2013

• A Spanish-language landing page in the SCCCC website.
• Inclusion of several important Latino leaders in the SCCCC membership and on the Board of Directors.
• A warm relationship with Latino Luncheon Meetup, a group of Latino business and professional leaders.
• A plan to enhance the value of SCCCC membership to Latino businesses and their employees.
• Partnerships with other organizations to host events attractive to Latino business owners.

“The Chamber is very pleased with the work of the Latino Task Force to help us become more inclusive of Latino-owned businesses. We are all members of the same community and    local    economy and    share    the    same concerns about operating our businesses and serving the community,” noted Matt Tucker, President of SCCCC.

We Are One

“There has been a separation between Latino and non-Latino businesses, caused mainly by language and culture. The Chamber is already reaching out to include Latino businesses and the Latino leaders are responding,” Dulemba said. She is proud of the way SCCCC has responded to an issue that is close to her heart, after emigrating to the U.S. about 15 years ago.

Members of the Latino Task Force include Dulemba, Miguel Alban of Elite Group (now serving on the SCCCC Board of Directors), Leonard Rivera of Rivera Law, Maria Novak of  Marketing Solutions and Business Development and Judith Lee of Communication Works Now.

p: 610-444-0774 | f: 610-444-5105 | www.scccc.com 217 West State Street | Kennett Square, PA 19348