Improve Norwich Now works to help people in literacy, foster care and homelessness
Jen Westervelt grew up in Norwich and wants to see her hometown flourish by tackling social issues such as literacy.
“I want to help our community reach its full potential,” she said.
That’s why Westervelt co-founded Improve Norwich Now, along with Brandon Clarke. Both are Norwich natives. Improve Norwich Now was founded more than three years ago and focuses on improving literacy, foster care and homelessness.
“We all have a responsibility to give back,” said Westervelt, who also serves as the president of Improve Norwich Now’s board of directors. “I love giving back and helping others see the possibilities in their own lives.”
Improve Norwich Now helps improve literacy through projects such as having local small businesses partner with the group and sponsor special events where children can read books, take part in a scavenger hunt based on the book, participate in arts and crafts activities, and listen to local authors read to them. These literacy events take place at least three times a year, Westervelt said.
Helping foster families, kinship families and children in foster or kinship care is another initiative of Improve Norwich Now, she said. Volunteers visit families once a month and may bring dinner or help with a home improvement project. A few times a year, all the families participate in events such as visits to Santa around this time of year, or to places such as Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville during the warmer weather.
Helping homeless people is another goal of Improve Norwich Now, Westervelt said.
“Improve Norwich Now works to address the housing crisis and support people to reach their full potential,” she said.
One of the group’s main projects to address homelessness is Aunt Mary’s House, Westervelt said. When Aunt Mary’s House opens sometime next year, it will house three to four homeless pregnant or parenting young mothers ages 18 and older. The mothers will receive prenatal care, child care, education, counseling and transportation. They will be mentored and learn life skills, financial skills and develop career goals.
The project is in the middle of recruiting and hiring staff, developing programming and renovating a house where its residents will stay, Westervelt said. They hope to open sometime next year.
Aunt Mary’s House has already hired an executive director, Brenda White. White said she was impressed with Westervelt’s hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to Aunt Mary’s House and all the other projects Improve Norwich Now works on.
“Jen embodies volunteer work in our community,” White said. “She gives her time to several non-profit organizations, as well as leading a church in our community. She truly cares about our community and all those living in it. She works tirelessly to help make it a better place to be.”
Westervelt said she looks forward to seeing Improve Norwich Now grow as more people get involved.
“I just continue to look forward to seeing our county benefit from all of the efforts that’s being put into it,” she said. “I just anticipate great things.”
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Jen Westervelt
Home and hometown: Norwich.
Career: Pastor of the cvfree Free Methodist Church in Norwich.
Family: Husband, Dan; and two teenage sons: Drew and Dean.
How to help: To volunteer or donate to Improve Norwich Now, find them on Facebook or online at improvenorwichnow.org
If you go: A fund-raiser for Aunt Mary’s House, one of the projects being done by Improve Norwich Now, is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10th at The Wild Owl, 28 S. Broad St. in Norwich.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Improve Norwich Now works in literacy, foster care, homelessness
