Bucks County Students Spend Their Summer Helping Nonprofits
DOYLESTOWN, PA — Since 2008, Foundations Community Partnership's Summer Youth Corps (SYC) has offered college students the opportunity to participate in a 10-week, paid internship experience at a nonprofit serving Bucks County children, young adults, and families. This summer, 13 students gained practical experience, made a positive impact in the community, and earned college credit through a partnership with Bucks County Community College.
Program Supervisor Patrick Reynolds supported this year's program which concluded on August 2. "This experience has opened my eyes to the world of nonprofits and the various things they do throughout the county," he said. "It has been a joy to witness how this experience has impacted the personal and professional growth of the interns."
Reynolds, a Chalfont resident, is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling psychology at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
SYC integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Over the past 15 years, 215 college students completed the program, contributing nearly 62,000 service hours at 40 participating nonprofits. Based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the value of a volunteer hour, the total value contributed by SYC interns to nonprofits since 2008 equals $1,518,185.50. Students who complete their freshman through junior year at college and who are residents of Bucks County are eligible to participate.
This year's SYC interns made a positive impact at the following agencies:
Newtown resident Jennifer Ackert assisted the YWCA Bucks County in Trevose. She majors in Human Development at Penn State University. Furlong resident Alan Bai interned at Churchville Nature Center in Churchville. He attends Penn State University studying Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Newtown resident Abigail Baram worked at Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia in Warminster. She studies Psychology at Syracuse University. Richboro resident Natalie Biedermann worked at the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties in Doylestown. She studies Secondary Education at Bucks County Community College. Quakertown resident Katharine Catalano worked at the Travis Manion Foundation in Doylestown. She studies Finance at the University of Maryland. Southampton resident Katherine Hanlon worked at Libertae in Bensalem. She graduated from Bucks County Community College and transferred to Saint Joseph's University studying Psychology. Furlong resident Nina Harris assisted the Bucks County Housing Group in Warminster. She majors in Quantitative Economics at Tufts University. Sellersville resident Grace King worked at Snipes Farm & Education Center in Morrisville. She attends the University of Pittsburgh studying Environmental Science. Ivyland resident Darcy Leight assisted Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County in Warminster. She majors in Philosophy at Washington & Lee University. Doylestown resident Ava Musolino worked at Ivy Hill Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Center in Perkasie. She studies Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech. Doylestown resident Samantha Rosinski assisted the Bucks County Opportunity Council in Doylestown. She majors in Film and TV Production at Chapman University. Newtown resident Kassidy Shaw interned at the Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) in Jamison. She attends Arcadia University double-majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Doylestown resident Sydney White assisted The Council of Southeast PA in Doylestown. She majors in Psychology at Lehigh University. 
