Community Connections

the newsletter of the Bucks County Opportunity Council

In this issue:

BCOC's Annual Meeting is on 11/19- registration is open!
Rental Assistance available, for landlords and tenants
Free Tax Assistance program, VITA
National Weatherization Day
Food Program Donation Request: Fare Hospitality Bags
Good News Corner!
Employment Opportunities
Estate Planning

Registration for our Annual Meeting on

November 19th is now open.

Emergency Rental Assistance is Available!

Assistance available for both Tenants and Landlords!

Do you need rental payment assistance? Struggling to receive tenant rent or pay your rent?

Are you:

■ Having trouble paying rent?

■ Have an eviction filed against you?

■ A Landlord seeking assistance for tenants?

Apply for the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) Program: buckscounty.gov/renthelp

Landlords can receive BONUS INCENTIVES through January 31, 2022.

■ Bonus Rent, when you lease up through the Housing Link (HL)

■ Finder’s Fee - $2,000 when you refer a landlord who leases up through the Housing Link.

■ Continuity – Payment up to one month between leases when renting through the Housing Link

■ Learn more about Bonus for Bucks Landlords: https://www.buckshousinglink.org/bonusforbucks/

BERA PSA - Eviction Prevention 11.01.png

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

BCOC's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) is gearing up for our 18th season! With 4 Bucks County locations, we provide FREE tax preparation for qualifying low-income families who reside in Bucks County. Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

To complete tax returns, Quality Reviews, interviews;
Schedule appointments and provide clerical support (beginning January 2022). Flexible Hours
Site Coordinator for the Warminster location; $3,000 stipend available.

Please contact Eileen Albillar, Volunteer and Community Connections Manager, to inquire.

October 30th is National Weatherization Day

National Weatherization Day is October 30. BCOC has been the Weatherization Assistance providers for Bucks County, for more than 45 years! By reducing air leakage and tightening the envelope of the home, weatherizaiton measures produce a high-impact, and long-term solution for energy efficiency for low-income families. Find out if you are eligible for a free energy audit, contact cdeguzman@bcoc.org or 215-536-5491.

Check out this Home Energy Checklist and see what you can do to save energy and $$ in your home today!

BCOC is hiring an Entry Level HVAC/Home Energy Auditor. Visit our website for more information.

Food Collection: Fare Hospitality Donations

BCOC is collecting hotel-friendly meals for those affected by recent floods and storms.

Click HERE for a flyer to download and share.

The Good News Corner!

Angie* is a current participant in our Economic Self-Sufficiency program, who has been out of the work force for almost 5 years. This week, she was offered a job with a local manufacturing company. We are #BCOCProud she has taken this next step towards Self- Sufficiency. As her coach Mary said, "Sometimes it is small steps... Hopefully with big rewards!!"

Congratulations- We're rooting for you Angie!

Trenton Thunder and NJM Insurance Group selected BCOC as their 'Safe at Home' non-profit partner for 2021!

We are very grateful for their generous donation of $12,150!

https://www.milb.com/trenton/press-release/thunder-and-njm-insurance-group-raise-money-for-safe-at-home-program

Thank you A & T Subaru for donating children's winter coats to BCOC!

Making an apartment a home

We are thankful to Patrick who donated a living room of furniture to one of our clients who had recently moved into an apartment; and to Matt, Ted and Tim who volunteered to move it into her apartment! This is what #CommunityAction looks like!

Employment Opportunities at BCOC

The Bucks County Opportunity Council changes lives- and is a great place to work! Visit our employment page for current openings.

Estate Planning

You’ve worked hard for what you have. Creating a legacy or estate plan can help protect it, and your loved ones, if something happens to you. It is also a way to ensure that your legacy of support continues. Consider making BCOC a part of your estate plan. Contact Joe Cuozzo at 215-345-8175 x 204 or jcuozzo@bcoc.org to find out more.