Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) held a “groundbreaking” ceremony in December to kick-off its expansion for its Lower Bucks County office in Fairless Hills, PA expected to open in Spring 2020.

Joining NOVA staff and board members for the ceremony were Jakki Fitzmaurice, Chief of Staff, State Representative John T. Galloway (D-District 140); State Representative Tina M. Davis (D-District 141); Margaret A. McKevitt, Director, Bucks County Department of Community and Economic Development; State Senator Robert M. Tomlinson (R-District 6); State Representative Frank Farry (R-District 142); State Representative Wendi
Thomas (R-District 178); State Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-District 18 and Commissioner Elect); and Sue Simon, District Director for Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA’s 1st District).

NOVA serves nearly 65% of their clients through the Lower Bucks County office to help meet growing demands for services,  and felt there was a need to increase  office space in the lower end.

NOVA was able to acquire the office space adjacent to their current office, expanding the space from 1,500 square feet to around 4,000 square feet, officials said.

In addition to increasing space, NOVA also will be renovating the current office space to create one of the first trauma-informed spaces in Pennsylvania that offers the full continuum of services including:The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, a sensory room for children, additional space for individual and group therapy, and private meeting space for families to meet with NOVA’s Victim Advocates or other professionals. It will be a place where child victims of sexual and physical abuse, family members of homicide victims or the elderly who have become victims of financial or physical abuse will feel safe and begin the healing process.

Funding for the purchase of the additional space as well as the renovations to the new and existing space came from a combination of sources including a Community Development Block Grant of $240,000 from the County of Bucks, a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant of $50,000, and a $100,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor. The two to one challenge grant was announced at NOVA’s 45^th Anniversary Auction and Gala in April 2019 and since then over 80 donors have contributed to help raise the necessary $50,000 to receive all of the available funds as part of the challenge grant.

“The support of our County Commissioners, State Senator Tomlinson and our generous donors has a remarkable impact on the work that we are able to do,” said Penny Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA.

“Indeed, it does take a village to ensure that NOVA is able to provide a continuum of trauma-informed services to any child or adult who has become a victim or survivor of a horrific crime.”Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW added,

“NOVA is a critical partner to the county and we are thrilled to support them as they endeavor to reach more citizens facing challenges with all forms of victimization. This project will increase their office space and allow them to expand services necessary to provide timely assistance to residents in the Lower Bucks area.”

An open house is planned for the spring of 2020 opening of the new office space.

NOVA is hosting a comedy night tonight at Villa Capri in Doylestown beginning at 8 p.m.

Join special guest Penny Ettinger, musical guest Jamie Stem, and host Mike Rosiak for an evening of comedy and fun! Comedy open mic starts at 9:00. Everyone gets 4 minutes to make the audience laugh! Sign-up list goes in order.