Community News

Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), an organization that serves victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County, was the recipient of a grant from the Robert and Elaine Fitt Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation last month, following a recommendation by Robert and Elaine Fitt. The grant was acknowledged during a visit by the Fitts to NOVA’s headquarters in Jamison, Pa. on December 19, where they met with Penny Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA staff members, and received a tour of the agency so they could see how their grant impacts the organization. 

 “Mr. and Mrs. Fitt’s investment in NOVA over the years is a true example of the power of philanthropy.  Their selfless generosity helps to ensure that our organization will be able to continue to provide vital prevention programs on personal safety to young children in schools and support our nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center,” said Penny Ettinger,Executive Director of NOVA. Ettinger continued, “NOVA has been providing children’s programs for over 30 years and was one of the first organizations in the Commonwealth to provide child abuse prevention programs in the schools.  The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center at NOVA is a partnership with the Bucks County Office of the District Attorney, the Bucks County Agency for Children and Youth and local law enforcement.  NOVA provides the forensic interviews for children who have been reported to be sexually or severely physically abused in a safe, non-threatening, child-friendly environment.”  

NOVA was founded in 1974 as one of the first rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania.  Today, NOVA is the comprehensive crime victims service and prevention center that supports, counsels and empowers sexual assault victims and victims of other serious crimes in Bucks County.  NOVA works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs.  

 “We have been making grants to NOVA for the past five years,” noted Robert Fitt after receiving a tour of NOVA’s offices.   “Today, we saw first-hand, how NOVA serves thousands of individuals in Bucks County who are in crisis by providing much-needed support, counseling and education each year.”

About NOVA:
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, go to  www.NOVABucks.org.

About the Robert and Elaine Fitt Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation:

The Robert and Elaine Fitt Family Fund was established in 2005 as a donor advised fund with the Philadelphia Foundation.   It provides a perpetual source of funding to nonprofits selected by the couple. Future generations of the Fitt family also will be able to direct grants to support the nonprofit organizations of their choosing.   Currently, support is focused on worthwhile community institutions such as NOVA, as well as organizations focusing on education and the arts.   

About the Philadelphia Foundation

Founded in 1918, the Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. It grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 900 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit  www.philafound.org.

Pictured (L to R) are: Mandy Mundy, Senior Director of Programs and Services; Penny Ettinger, Executive Director; Elaine Fitt; Robert Fitt; and Steve Doerner, Director of the Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center.