Tell Me Something Good – March 2016
Kate Chadwick takes a moment to spotlight local citizens for doing something swell.
Who she is: Dr. Allison Turner
What she does: Allison is an associate professor at the Department of Public Policy at West Chester University, and a volunteer at United Way of Chester County.
Why she’s on this page: Barbara Mancill, Agency and Community Relations Manager at the United Way of Chester County, nominated Allison, who is a graduate of Leadership Chester County, a program that educates people interested in serving on non-profit boards. “Allison showed such leadership and knowledge on that team that she now co-chairs the Education team and represents that team on our Impact Council,” Barbara said. “Since her time in that program, she’s joined the board of the Maternal and Child Health Consortium and become a volunteer on UWCC’s Community Investment team, which determines where UWCC dollars are allocated.” The Community Impact Teams also evaluate the needs, effectiveness and fiscal responsibility of organizations funded by UWCC. “Seeing how individual organizations work alone and understanding their shared struggles has been eye-opening and rewarding,” Allison said. “I volunteer for the United Way of Chester County because the values of the organization are consistent with my own personal and professional values, because my work with them helps keep me connected to my community and because I’m impressed with their ability to make a significant impact with limited resources. And the leadership and staff are caring, determined and passionate about their work—I’m glad to have the opportunity to contribute to their efforts.”
What we like about her: She’s serving as a role model. Allison connects the dots and uses what she’s doing in the community to serve as an example to her students. “My work with UWCC also helps me to be a more effective advocate and teacher for my students in the MPA and DPA programs,” Allison told us. “I’m able to practice what I preach, and facilitate connections between my students and the community nonprofits.”
What she likes about West Chester: Allison has been living in Chester County since 2010, and she and her husband moved into the borough in October 2014. She likes “the bustle,” as she puts it: “Living so close to where I work, the diversity in my neighborhood, the availability and access to a variety of local businesses, and the proximity of friends and colleagues.”
Moral of the story: Take the ball and run with it. Allison has not only taken the steps to educate herself, she’s then taken what she’s learned and implemented it within her job and by extension, her community. Sometimes saving the world starts in your very own neighborhood.
kchadwick@thewcpress.com The United Way of Chester County is located at 210 Walnut Street. For more information on services, volunteering, or donating, visit unitedwaychestercounty.org, or call 610-429-9400.
