Tag: MOSAIC Community Land Trust

Free Money Management Classes Offered in Pottstown

Are You Making the Most of Your Money?

Free Classes Offered in Pottstown

When you were in high school, there were classes in History, English, Math and Science but they never covered how to maximize your resources. What are the best ways to budget and to reduce your debts? Learn how to improve your credit scores. Learn about saving for a car, apartment or buying a home. Learn what they never covered and make the most of your money.

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation, will hold FREE classes on Tuesday evenings, January 29th, February 5th and March 5th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Mosaic Community Land Trusts Offices, 10 South Hanover Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

The classes are designed to help to:

· Understand Credit — Information on credit scores, improving your scores, re-establishing credit, dealing with debt. Class participants can obtain a free credit report with scores from the three major credit reporting services (Tuesday, January 29, 2013).

· Money Management – Information on preparing realistic budgets that are more than just monthly bills, prioritizing spending in tough times and understanding how current spending impacts your future financial options (Tuesday, February 5, 2013).

· Home Buying Basics — Information the home buying process — finding a realtor, home inspections, Agreements of Sale, mortgages and first-time homebuyer grant programs (Tuesday, March 5, 2013).

Nikki Holcroft, an award winning and certified housing counselor, will teach the classes. Ms. Holcroft has more than twenty-five years experience working as a housing counselor, mortgage banker and community lender. Ms. Holcroft has worked with Genesis Housing Corporation since 2001 and teaches monthly classes on credit, money management and the home buying process. Ms. Holcroft also provides individual housing counseling sessions to help clients achieve their financial goals. Ms. Holcroft has worked with families to restructure their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and reduce their debts.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275-4357 or online at www.genesishousing.org.

The Pottstown classes are funded, in part, by Montgomery County. Additional funding was provided by National Penn Bank.

Genesis Housing Corporation’s housing counseling programs provide free classes and individual counseling helping over 5,800 clients. Monthly classes focus on topics not taught in regular school including understanding credit, credit repair, money management, saving plans, grant programs and understanding the home buying process including selecting a realtor and finding the best mortgage.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation has served Montgomery County as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and educating consumers on housing and financial issues. Genesis Housing Corporation has been certified as a FannieMae Counseling Agency and is approved by PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling. Genesis Housing Corporation is also an approved agency for many programs including the Montgomery County First-time Home Buyers Program and the Norristown First-time Home Buyers Program.

In addition, Genesis Housing Corporation has developed affordable housing by rehabilitating vacant homes and by building new homes for income eligible homebuyers. Renovated homes are currently available in Norristown and Pottstown. Genesis Housing Corporation also renovates existing owner-occupied homes for eligible families for the Montgomery County Homeowner Rehab Program and the Pottstown Homeowner Rehab Program.

For more information on Genesis Housing Corporation programs, please call 610-275-4357 or visit our web site at http://www.genesishousing.org.

Visit us on Facebook (www.facebook/GenesisHousing)

Book Signing at ArtFusion 19464 this Saturday

 MOSAIC Community Land Trust and ArtFusion 19464 have teamed up to host Ralph E. Godbolt, author of Kickin’ the Ballistics:  Reflections on the Hip Hop Generation, Poverty and Power. He will speak this Saturday night at ArtFusion, formerly the Gallery on High. 

Author Ralph Godbolt will discuss his book and the realities of urban violence, the high school drop out crisis, misogyny, the war on drugs, sexual orientation and the Hip Hop Generation in the aftermath of the American Civil Rights Movement. “He takes aim at generations of harsh public policies, unequal access to opportunity and discriminatory practices that has led to a generational cycle of poverty, violence, addiction, under education and unemployment in America’s urban centers by using Hip Hop culture and rap music as a means to communicate the deep despair, but enduring faith of young urban Americans.”

The book signing and talk will take place this Saturday, October 20th, 7– 9 PM at 254 E. High St., Pottstown, Pa. Light refreshments will Be Served.  A portion of the proceeds from each book sold will be donated to both  MOSAIC and ArtFusion.

MOSAIC open mic is back!

HAPPY FALL!

The open mic is back on Saturday October 6th, from 7-11 pm at MOSAIC Community Land Trust gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street in the heart of Pottstown!

Musicians, Poets, Comedians, you name it! Come and get your 15 minutes (or three songs) worth of fame!

(I’ll be there reading something or other.)

Check it out on Facebook here.

Contact Alan Jensen-Sellers at 267-244-3195 with any questions.

This event is BYOB.

Suggested donation to help support the MOSAIC Community Land Trust is $5.00.

MOSAIC CLT has a mission to increase home ownership in Pottstown,

to improve healthy living through community gardens,

and to support the arts.

Pet Fair and MOSAIC Open Garden this Saturday!

There are two awesome outdoor events this weekend in Pottstown!

#1 The Pottstown Pet Fair 2012  in Smith Family Plaza (right in front of Borough Hall) is welcoming all kinds of pet-related businesses, services, and organizations for a pet- and family-friendly fair. It takes place from 9 am to 3 pm.

 

Evan Brandt’s blog post, “Something to Bark About”, gives all the details, including the fact that there will be ministers on hand from 10 am to 2 pm to bless all animals, although I’m not sure if that includes the 2-legged variety. There will also be a butterfly garden and food vendors.

To get to Smith Family Plaza, one of Pottstown’s premier public park spaces, plug 100 E. High Street into your GPS.

#2 MOSAIC Community Land Trust is holding an Open Garden from 12-2 pm at Pottstown’s first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street between Franklin & Washington Streets!

If you’d like to see the many plots that have produced hundreds of pounds of veggies this season, learn how to make salsa, and pick some fresh veggies to take home – depending on what’s available – plan to stop by the garden between 12-2 pm this Saturday, Sept. 22nd. See details here.

I am out of town (writing), so I will miss this event, but this was my labor of love this past winter/spring/summer, and I can’t wait to get back and experiment with growing a few crops into early winter.

And if you like what you see and hear and taste, you can get on a list for a plot for your family for next year!

MOSAIC gallery hosts free reception this evening from 7-9 pm

by Sharon McGinley

MOSAIC Community Land Trust is hosting a reception this evening at its gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street to celebrate the opening of its current exhibit, Nurturing Hope. The show features area photographer Sharon Merkel and painter Sharon McGinley. The reception is being held from 7-9 pm. It’s free and all are welcome!

  You may know MOSAIC Community Land Trust for bringing Pottstown its first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, but MOSAIC also utilizes its office space at 10 S. Hanover Street as an art gallery. This show highlights the beauty in nature and in urban spaces, much like a community garden.

Like a garden nestled into a congested city block, the spiritual paintings of Sharon McGinley contrast with the graphic urban photos of Sharon Merkel to embody the hope and vitality of an urban garden.

In her artist’s statement, photographer Sharon Merkel says of her work, “The images explore the place where man and nature meet. I am fascinated with this intersection, the place where each affects the other.” Her photos of urban buildings and barns often feature intersections with a brilliant sky or a lone tree.

Sharon McGinley’s paintings include bright colors, whimsy, and nature on a biblical or essential level. “I explore the inner-connectedness of all things, the impermanence of earthly life and the joys and sorrows we experience on our journeys,” she says.

Primary Colors by Sharon Merkel

MOSAIC receives a standard 30% commission on all art sales, so a purchase not only supports these local artists, but also the community garden, arts, and affordable housing mission of MOSAIC Community Land Trust.

This show is being curated by MOSAIC summer interns Amanda Hoffman and Blake Wrigley, who spent their early years in Pottstown and graduated from Boyertown High School. Blake is a recent graduate of Messiah College and Amanda is a senior art major there.

Nurturing Hope will run from July 4-July 28. All are welcome to an opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7-9pm; reception sponsored by LointerHOME; food provided by Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches. The MOSAIC gallery is located at 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown. Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 4-7 pm.

MOSAIC Gallery art show opens July 4th in downtown Pottstown

by Sharon McGinley

 If you’re in town for the parade tomorrow, check out the new show at MOSAIC Gallery, 10 S. Hanover Street, from 10am-1 pm. (Disclosure: I work for MOSAIC as part-time Executive Director!)

Are you an art enthusiast who is interested in supporting local artists? Do you want to take part in Pottstown’s growing arts scene while helping to boost the local economy? Then come and check out Pottstown’s very own MOSAIC Gallery.

Opening this 4th of July, MOSAIC presents Nurturing Hope, a show featuring area artists Sharon Merkel and Sharon McGinley. You may know MOSAIC Community Land Trust for bringing Pottstown its first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, but MOSAIC also utilizes its office space at 10 S. Hanover Street as an art gallery. This show highlights the beauty in nature and in urban spaces, much like a community garden.

Like a garden nestled into a congested city block, the spiritual paintings of Sharon McGinley contrast with the graphic urban photos of Sharon Merkel to embody the hope and vitality of an urban garden.

In her artist’s statement, photographer Sharon Merkel says of her work, “The images explore the place where man and nature meet. I am fascinated with this intersection, the place where each affects the other.” Her photos of urban buildings and barns often feature intersections with a brilliant sky or a lone tree.

Sharon McGinley’s paintings include bright colors, whimsy, and nature on a biblical or essential level. “I explore the inner-connectedness of all things, the impermanence of earthly life and the joys and sorrows we experience on our journeys,” she says.

Primary Colors by Sharon Merkel

MOSAIC receives a standard 30% commission on all art sales, so a purchase not only supports these local artists, but also the community garden, arts, and affordable housing mission of MOSAIC Community Land Trust.

This show is being curated by MOSAIC summer interns Amanda Hoffman and Blake Wrigley, who spent their early years in Pottstown and graduated from Boyertown High School. Blake is a recent graduate of Messiah College and Amanda is a senior art major there.

Nurturing Hope will run from July 4-July 28. All are welcome to an opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7-9pm; food and drinks are sponsored by LointerHOME. The MOSAIC gallery, located at 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown, will be open from 10am-1 pm on July 4th during the Pottstown Homecoming Parade.  (Rain date is July 5th.) Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 4-7 pm.

FREE Money Management and Homebuying Classes Offered in Pottstown

Are you thinking of buying a new home, renting an apartment, buying a car or applying for a new job? Did you know that lenders, apartment managers, salespeople and even employers look at your credit? Don’t let poor credit hold you back. There has never been a better time to clean-up your credit. Learn how to improve your credit scores. Learn the best ways to reduce your debts. Make good decisions with your money. Learn what they never covered when you were in high school!

Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation, will hold FREE classes on Tuesday evenings, June 12th, June 19th and June 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Mosaic Community Land Trust‘s Office, 10 South Hanover Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

The classes are designed to help to:

· Understand Credit — Information on credit scores, improving your scores, re-establishing credit, dealing with debt. Class participants can obtain a free credit report with scores from the three major credit reporting services (Tuesday, June 12, 2012).

· Money Management – Information on preparing realistic budgets that are more than just monthly bills, prioritizing spending in tough times and understanding how current spending impacts your future financial options (Tuesday, June 19, 2012 ).

· Home Buying Basics — Information the home buying process — finding a realtor, home inspections, Agreements of Sale, mortgages and first-time homebuyer grant programs (Tuesday, June 26, 2012).

Nikki Holcroft, an award winning and certified housing counselor, will teach the classes. Ms. Holcroft has more than twenty-five years experience working as a housing counselor, mortgage banker and community lender. Ms. Holcroft has worked with Genesis Housing Corporation since 2001 and teaches monthly classes on credit, money management and the home buying process. Ms. Holcroft also provides individual housing counseling sessions to help clients achieve their financial goals. Ms. Holcroft has worked with families to restructure their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and reduce their debts.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Genesis Housing Corporation at 610-275-4357 or online at http://www.genesishousing.org.

The Pottstown classes are funded, in part, by Montgomery County. Additional funding was provided by Susquehanna Bank.

Genesis Housing Corporation’s housing counseling programs provide free classes and individual counseling helping over 5,500 clients. Monthly classes focus on topics not taught in regular school including understanding credit, credit repair, money management, saving plans, grant programs and understanding the home buying process including selecting a realtor and finding the best mortgage.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation has served Montgomery County as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and educating consumers on housing and financial issues. Genesis Housing Corporation has been certified as a FannieMae Counseling Agency and is approved by PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling. Genesis Housing Corporation is also an approved agency for many programs including the Montgomery County First-time Home Buyers Program and the Norristown First-time Home Buyers Program.

In addition, Genesis Housing Corporation has developed affordable housing by rehabilitating vacant homes and by building new homes for income eligible homebuyers. Renovated homes are currently available in Norristown and Pottstown. Genesis Housing Corporation also renovates existing owner-occupied homes for eligible families for the Montgomery County Homeowner Rehab Program and the Pottstown Homeowner Rehab Program.

For more information on Genesis Housing Corporation programs, please call 610-275-4357 or visit their web site at www.genesishousing.org.

Visit us on Facebook (www.facebook/GenesisHousing)

MOSAIC accepting registrations Saturday morning at community garden

 Mosaic Community Land Trust is holding registration and orientation for new members of its community garden at 423 Chestnut Street on the following Saturdays: April 28, May 5, and May 12 from 9 AM to 12 PM at the garden.

On May 5th gardeners will be able to choose the plants they would like in their own plot, and the plants will be delivered to the garden on May 12, which will be a day for planting.

There are plots still available for this season. Plot rates are $25 for households with incomes below $30,000; those with incomes above this level will pay $50. Groups and organizations can plant a plot for a flat $100.00 season fee. In addition to offering families a safe place to grow healthy, organic food, this fee includes the choice of plants, water on-site, the use of Mosaic tools, workshops, and advice from experienced gardeners. Children are welcome and the garden is available for field trips for students.

To apply and register for your plot or to set up a field trip, please contact Sue Repko at 609-658-9043 or srepko@mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org or Mary-Beth Bacallao at flyeredup8831@gmail.com.

MOSAIC Community Land Trust was established in 2011 and is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. MOSAIC Community Land Trust provides permanently affordable housing and healthy living choices to people of modest means, and through education and participation, creates a vital community with a focus on arts and culture to stabilize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in Pottstown.

                                                                                                                  

 

Positively Pottstown Happy Hour at MOSAIC & Girls’ Night Out at Belle Rouge

The next Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour takes place TODAY at MOSAIC Community Land Trust’s office & gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street from 5-7 pm. Food by Grumpy’s! Pop art by James Enders and photography by Karl McWherter on display. Learn about Mosaic’s community garden, now under construction at 423 Chestnut Street. It’s not too late to RSVP to positivelypottstown@gmail.com.

Ladies can follow up the happy hour fun at the monthly Girls’ Night Out held by Belle Rouge Salon at 257 E. High Street. The Belle Rouge Girls’ Night Out includes complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. Their speaker on Friday will be heart specialist Anna Cousins. She has worked in the cardiology and vascular field for the past 25 years and holds degrees in adult, pediatric, and neonatal cardiovascular technology. Currently Anna is working as a consultant to Dr. Rajiv Dhawan, M.D. as a vascular specialist. They diagnosis and treat all types of vascular disease. RSVP to Tracy Williams at 610.326.5400.

PEAK holding event this Saturday to celebrate Pottstown’s young children

PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness) will sponsor a community-wide outreach event for the Month of the Young Child. This year’s event will be held this Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 1-3 pm at the Freedom Valley YMCA at 724 North Adams Street in Pottstown. We will have Smokey the Bear, a petting farm, Pipper the Clown, moon bounce, and free snacks. Community agencies will provide family activities.

 From Peak’s website: “The PEAK initiative is funded through the Pennsylvania-Pre-K Counts, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Montgomery County Foundation and Children’s Trust Fund and focuses on building partnerships with the early learning programs in the Pottstown community. The goals of PEAK are:

  • Every three and four year old child has access to high quality child care, early childhood education, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
  • Every parent of young children has access to the high quality skill building and resources needed to prepare them to be their child’s first “teacher” and to prepare their children for success in school.
  • Every child has access to health and wellness services to ensure that they are prepared to maximize their potential in school.”

I’ll be at the YMCA on Saturday afternoon, along with other representatives of MOSAIC Community Land Trust. Stop by our table to learn about Pottstown’s first community garden being built at 423 Chestnut Street and to become a member. Joining the community garden is an affordable, fun way to grow fresh veggies for you and your family; beginner gardeners are welcome. We will offer workshops and help every step of the way. Plots are still available. Come find out what this exciting project is all about! We’ll have a fun project for kids at our table!

Contact the PEAK Coordinator at 610-970-6655 if you have any questions. We hope to see you Saturday afternoon at the YMCA to celebrate Pottstown’s young children!

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