We spend time with Kirstin Downie, Director of Development and Communications with Canine Partners for Life (CPL), as she explains how the organization works to improve quality of life for people with disabilities or other challenges by pairing them with professionally trained service or companion dogs. Kirstin takes us for a long walk through the extensive training that service and companion dogs undergo to be able to assist their assigned companions. We learn how CPL provides these highly trained dogs to folks of all ages from across the USA. And we hear about some uniquely wonderful volunteer opportunities.

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Canine Partners for Life

• Website: k94life.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLife
• Instagram: instagram.com/k94life
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/canine-partners-for-life
• Fall Festival featuring Cow Bingo
• Volunteer with Canine Partners for Life: k94life.org/volunteer
• Kirstin Downie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kirstindownie

Additional Links

• Brian’s House
• Valley Forge Educational Services
• Assistance Dogs International

Transcript

A transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

Now in its 27th year, the Kennett Brewfest is a leading beer festival held yearly in Kennett Square. Arguably the oldest beer festival in the Philadelphia region, the Brewfest provides support to the Kennett Collaborative. We speak with the founder and long-serving lead organizer of the festival, Jeff Norman. An architect by trade, Jeff has lead efforts to organize and deliver the famed Kennett Brewfest since its inception. We talk about the history of the festival, its evolution over time, and of course, all things beer.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Kennett Brewfest

• Website: kennettbrewfest.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/kennett.brewfest
• Facebook: facebook.com/KennettBrewfest
• Jeff Norman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-norman-5004382

Other Kennett Square Festivals

• Kennett Winterfest
• Kennett Summerfest
• Mushroom Festival

Kennett Collaborative

• Website: kennettcollaborative.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/kennett.collaborative
• Facebook: facebook.com/kennettcollaborative

Additional Links

• Waywood Beverage
• Victory Brewing
• Braeloch Brewing
• Two Stones Brewing
• Jeff’s favorite beer: Avec Les Bons Vœux from Brasserie Dupont
• Dressler Estate (Ciders)
• Excursion Ciders
• ServPro of Kennett Square/Oxford
• Kennett Run
• Ales for ALS

Transcript

The transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

With a unique nonprofit business model, Handi-Crafters employs, trains, and encourages people with intellectual and developmental challenges to enable them to find meaningful and engaging opportunities in the workplace. Focused on the individual skills and needs of the community it serves, Handi-Crafters has been delivering employment-centered programs for more than 60 years from its facilities in Thorndale, Pa. We speak with the Executive Director of Handi-Crafters, April Ennis-Pierson, to learn more about the organization and its innovative approach to its work.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Handi-Crafters

• Website: hcocenter.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/HCOpportunity
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/handi-crafters
• April Ennis-Pierson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-ennis-pierson-32b33127/

Additional Links

• Section 14(c) Subminimum Wage Certificate Program
• PA Office of Developmental Programs
• ARC of Chester County
• Herr’s
• Victory Brewing
• CTDI
• Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
• Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe

Transcript

The transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it is available.