Wayne area partners

Local Mission Partners supported by Wayne Presbyterian Church

Wayne Senior Center

108 Station Road Wayne, PA 19087   610 688 6246

Wayne Senior Center

The mission of the Wayne Senior Center is to provide community, friendship and resources in order to enrich the lives of older adults.  The Wayne Senior Center is where active, independent people age 50 and older come to nurture their interests and needs, both intellectual and physical.  This is the place where seniors become empowered to grow, develop and get involved. 

WPC Liaison: Scott Laird

Surrey—Services For Seniors

Website: https://surreyservices.org/

The Surrey mission is to help older adults live at home with independence and dignity while continuing to be active members of their community. The Surrey Cares Program meets the needs of some of the more vulnerable seniors who want to remain in their homes in the community where they have lived, worked, and raised their families.  Wayne Presbyterian Church (WPC) has provided financial and service support to Surrey for years. Many of our members volunteer on their own, but WPC has also provided Board leaders and helped with special projects. Visit their website to see how you might serve or contact the church liaison.

WPC Liaison: Park Blatchford

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of the Main Line

Website: https://ihncares.org/

IHN is part of Family Promise, a nationwide organization that provides shelter and support to families who are experiencing a temporary crisis in housing. For 25 years, Wayne Presbyterian Church (WPC) and other faith organizations on the Main Line host guest families for seven days—four to five times a year. During non-pandemic times, each hosting week at WPC involves about 50 volunteers to set up and take down classroom areas as private bedrooms for the guests, provide meals and clean linens, hospitality and stay overnight as chaperones. Food shopping, laundering, and publicity are additional activities volunteers help with. Criminal background and child abuse clearances are necessary for those having direct contact with the families. Visit their website to see how you might serve or contact church liaisons.

WPC Liaisons: Nancy Monahan, Susan Hirschman, Leslie Dudt

Great Valley Food Cupboard (GVFC)

Website: https://www.bcgv.org/volunteer-give/great-valley-food-cupboard/

GVFC, provides food and basic household supplies at no cost to needy families in the Wayne and Great Valley areas.  Their mission is to treat all who come for help with dignity and respect meeting their food insecurities with care concern and compassion. Prior to the pandemic, non-perishable food and household sundries were donated by depositing (unexpired) items in the wood cabinet in the Connector of Wayne Presbyterian Church (WPC). During the pandemic, GVFC distributes food via a no-contact drive-up process. WPC has financially supported the food cupboard through our Bread From Heaven pandemic ministry. Visit their website to learn more or contact Wayne Presbyterian

WPC Liaison: Scott Laird

Baker Industries

Website: https://www.bakerindustries.org/

Baker Industries was founded by Wayne Presbyterian Church (WPC) members Charles and Louise (Weezie) Baker on behalf of their son. Today, Baker Industries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development program with locations in Malvern and Philadelphia, employing and finding outside employment for the disabled, recovering substance abusers, parolees, and the homeless.  Over the past three years, 106 of their employees have joined the regular work force and are now positive contributors to society. WPC has provided both service and financial support for many years. Volunteers can help work alongside their employees on their contracted projects. Visit their website to learn more or contact the church liaison.

The video at the link below takes you to a video produced by Baker Industries, a Mission Partner of WPC.  The video describes a heartwarming success story about a woman who was trained by Baker Industries and, as a result, got a good job after 5 years in prison.

Link:  https://youtu.be/XtCV80WDI9s

WPC Liaison: Scott Laird

Radnor Township Civic Association (RTCA)

Facebook Page:   Radnor Township Civic Association - Home | Facebook

RTCA, also known by the Highland Avenue Community Center, is the community center historically used by Second Baptist Church and St. Johns A.M.E. Church for wedding and birthday celebrations, revival meetings, and funeral gatherings. A multi-church collaboration in Wayne restored and upgraded the over 100-year-old structure with the goal of providing expanded community programs and services to the West Wayne community. Due to the pandemic, these plans have been delayed. However, the center has been the site of for a Town Hall by the Radnor Police and a community sponsored outdoor music and a movie night. Wayne Presbyterian Church has been involved in building upgrades, outdoor gardening, and landscaping. Visit their Facebook page to learn more or contact a church liaison.

History of the Radnor Township Civic Association (RTCA)

Contributed by Main Line community member Ms. Penny L. Washington (Feb 12, 2022)

All across the nation we go to museums and historical sites to learn about figures such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr. All across the nation we visit historical sites to experience connections to our past. Did you know that we on the Main Line have sites pertaining to local African American history? The Radnor Township Civic Association is one such site of significance. In honor of Black History Month, we shall now learn about the Radnor Township Civic Association. This local treasure is affectionately known as the RTCA. The RTCA came into existence during the Jim Crow era. The Jim Crow era in American History was a period when African Americans were segregated by the demeaning collective enforcement of laws and customs from integrated participation in all aspects of American society. African Americans exercisedautonomy by creating and sustaining institutions to meet their needs. The RTCA is a surviving example of this type of endeavor. The RTCA was founded in 1932 in an effort to assist those in need in the community. In the early days of the organization a course of direction was agreed upon and meetings were held in members’ homes. A charter was obtained in 1941. In time the current site was secured. Throughout its history the RTCA has provided a secular space for African Americans to gather. Receptions, dances, celebrations, and meetings have taken place at the RTCA. The RTCA is located at 248 Highland Avenue in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

​During the RTCA’s occupancy on Highland Avenue, the institution has enjoyed a supportive close relationship with the congregation of Second Baptist Church. Rev. Howard Childs of that church is the current president of the RTCA. Over the decades committed individuals have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to ensure the RTCA’s survival. People of note who have served the RTCA include Alice and Spencer Gettys and Lewis and Louella Luchie. The RTCA has also benefited from the involvement of loyal board members and volunteers. The RTCA is housed in a 1916 Arts and Crafts style building. The building formerly housed the Miller Memorial Mission, a Progressive era settlement house. Kevin Stroman of Main Line Mentoring and Chuck Marshall of Central Baptist Church along with a coalition of volunteers are overseeing renovations to the building. Selected activities recently undertaken by the RTCA include:

The RTCA continues to make history by continuing to serve the community.

Note: This structure is the only remaining Black-owned secular community center on the Main Line between Ardmore and Coatesville. The facility is publicly available to anyone to rent for events and activities. Contact Pamela Deans at (484) 431-3044 or pamela .

WPC Liaisons: Scott Laird, Pamela Jensen

Gemma Services (formerly theVillage)

https://gemmaservices.org/

Preheim Center 6517 Chester Ave. Philadelphia

512 W. Township Line Rd. Plymouth Meeting

For the healing of the spirits of children, families, and communities broken by trauma including violence, neglect, poverty, mental illness, racism and other serious societal problems, there is Gemma Services.  Volunteers help via tutoring, career nights and administrative assistance. The Faith in Action Council welcomes you to participate in activities throughout the year, including donating to family fun-night baskets for the families who permanently welcome children into their homes (various fundraising opportunities) and Christmas gift donations for the children in Gemma's residential treatment programs (through the alternative gift program).  Please visit the following link to see ways you can help: https://gemmaservices.org/support-us/wishlist/

Reach out to Scott Laird or Elisabeth Slate for more information.

Main Line Mentoring (MLM)

 https://www.mainlinementoring.org

 Founded in the 1990’s, MLM offers activities that foster responsible citizenship, leadership and self-respect to all school age children in the community. Located in Mt. Pleasant, education is the foundation of what they do as it is one of the most important parts of a child’s growth. They have a tutoring program where the children receive help with their schoolwork.  They also take trips to local colleges, Peoples Light and Arden theatres, museums and other educational events. Their mission is to help students grow spiritually, emotionally and physically by exposing them to things that they may not otherwise have a chance to see. Visit their website to learn more or contact Wayne Presbyterian Liaison: Scott Laird

55 Years of Service to Seafarers

The Mission to Chinese Seamen (MCS) has been ministering, serving and giving hope to many seafarers over the years. The ports along the Delaware River receive hundreds of ships each year delivering all sorts of goods from other countries.  During the pandemic, many of us have gained a much greater appreciation for this role and the impact on our daily lives. For the seafarers, it is a difficult and solitary life as they are far from home for many months of the year.  World events such as the pandemic, the US-China trade war, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine weigh heavily on their minds.  Please pray for easing of the fears and anxieties of the seafarers.  

Over the years, we have been able to bring these men comfort and hope by ministering, helping with phone calls, medical assistance, and shopping. At Christmas, we prepare Ditty Bags containing needed personal items (gloves, hat, scarf, socks). Not only are these necessary for their comfort but they also demonstrate the love and care for others.

Early in the pandemic, the ports were closed to any non-essential personnel, rendering our mission extremely challenging. When not accessible, our missionary, Rev. Byeong Lee, would still travel to the ports and pray. As time has progressed, thankfully access has improved.  We’ve been able to again provide needed services, including taking some seafarers to get their COVID vaccine!  We were also able to present about 400 ditty bags, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are so grateful for the continued faithfulness of Wayne Presbyterian Church!  Please pray for continued perseverance for Rev. Lee as he adapts to the changing conditions at the ports.  Also, please pray for Rev. Lee and his family on the passing of his father-in-law, who lived in South Korea, in April due to COVID.