Joseph Cuozzo, BCOC Development Director (left) and Erin Lukoss, BCOC Executive Director (right) pose with Josh Klein, this year’s Ambassador of the Year winner.
A morning full of heart, compassion, empathy, and celebration
Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) hosted its 10th annual breakfast on November 15. This special event brought together a multitude of individuals from all walks of life who share a common passion for the work that BCOC has done for nearly 60 years.
Community partners, clients, staff, supporters, donors, board members, and volunteers shared stories of gratitude, triumph, caring, and commitment. Highlighting a year of important and impactful work, over 200 people were in attendance at the Spring Mill Country Club for this impactful event.
From July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, BCOC helped over 57,000 of Bucks County residents who struggle financially throughout its five main program areas: Housing, Food, Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES), Weatherization, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
Emceed by Joseph Cuozzo, Development Director, speakers included Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of BCOC, Heather Foor, Director of Client Services, Beck Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), Chris Becker, Director of Agricultural Operations at Delaware Valley University, as well as several award recipients.
Erin Lukoss commented, “Through our various programs, more than 57,000 people benefitted from the financial and in-kind support we offered—whether through food distribution, housing stability, or support in accessing education and economic resources. These numbers reflect not only the scale of need, but also our commitment to helping each family find hope and resilience.”
Attendees were also able to hear first-hand accounts of how BCOC programs had affected their lives from Amy, whose family received assistance through the Weatherization program, and Dennise, whose experience with the VITA program made a valuable difference in her family’s economic, and Denyse, who struggled to make ends meet while raising her six grandchildren on her own and found support and economic relief at the Pathways House, giving her a year of grace to get on her feet.
BCOC gave out three awards to honor those who go above and beyond to support them in their work. BBack Car Care was awarded the “Building Brides: Community Impact Award”; for their partnership with BCOC in serving the
Bucks County community through the Wheelz2Work program and food drives.
Gannett Publishing was the recipient of the Community Connector Award for their partnership with BCOC through the Give A Christmas program, distributing gift cards to those in need, during the holidays and throughout the year. That program is now in its 38th year of giving.
Josh Klein was awarded the Ambassador of the Year Award for his years of dedicated efforts to provide affordable housing and prevent homelessness in Bucks County.
Danielle Bush, BCOC Volunteer and Community Connections Manager, spoke about the huge difference volunteers make in the success of BCOC’s activities. “Everyone has their reasons for volunteering. I’ve found that people want to connect to their community, make a difference, spend time with and support organizations whose mission they strongly believe in.” Last year, 1,762 people volunteered with BCOC and 95% reported a high satisfaction rate.
BCOC is the lead anti-poverty, non-profit organization in Bucks County,, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.
BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes street outreach, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.
For over 59 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.
For more information about the Bucks County Opportunity Council, visit bcoc.org/.