POTTSTOWN PA – A group of volunteers from the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce are scheduled to arrive Tuesday (June 11, 2024) at the Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center, 95 S. Hanover St. That’s where members of the chamber “TriCounty Young Professionals” program are set to start work at 6 p.m.
They’ll be busy applying final touches touches at the soon-to-be-opened center, the chamber reports.
Discovery Center leaders, supporters, and other volunteers like the Young Professionals have worked for months to refurbish the building’s interior for the opening. Workers have installed displays and activities bound to interest kids. “We’re so excited … we can’t wait to have you come and visit us,” founder and Executive Director Beth Desch told families in a May 23 Facebook video.
The Young Professionals program focuses on professionals, age 21 to 40, who work in the Tri-County area of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties. The chamber calls it “a diverse group of ambitious, visionary young minds from a variety of industries and backgrounds.” Its goals, the chamber says, are to connect, to develop as professionals, and to give back to the community.
Earlier success in helping local animals
Earlier this year, the program partnered with Diamond Credit Union to gather donations for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. In a drive operated by the group, with assistance from the credit union’s branch offices, members collected and delivered necessary products needed by the rescue league: cat litter, food, cleaning supplies, and other items.
The culmination of that effort coincided with the program’s first Young Professionals Summit, held during mid-May at Spring Hollow Golf Club in Spring City. More than 70 individuals attended the day-long event. It was hosted by the chamber and the program, and sponsored by the credit union, Cedarville Engineering Group, Leadership TriCounty, and Penn State Berks.
Presenters at the summit offered guidance
The summit represented an opportunity for those in attendance to network with each other, and hear from local community leaders. Guest presenters included Jenna Armato, CEO of Armato & Associates; Rich Newell, President and CEO of Chestnut Hill Hospital; Annalisa Smithson, founder and director of Unleashed Counseling; and Stephen Rodriguez, superintendent of the Pottstown School District.
Participants in a separate chamber program, the current Leadership TriCounty class, worked with the Young Professionals on workforce development issues. Their research helped form some of the summit’s agenda.
As a result, the day’s list of topics covered effective workplace communication, what makes a good leader, and self-care. Summit participants also learned about resiliency techniques, mental health, self-awareness, listening to diverse views, accepting feedback, and finding a mentor.
Now the program’s committee is planning other ways to keep members involved.
Chamber President Eileen Dautrich reports “the committee has been engaged and dedicated to growing the number of opportunities and the participation in events the group plans.” Future events may focus on summer social outings, and a fall professional development breakfast.
For more information on the Young Professionals Program, Leadership TriCounty, or upcoming events, call the chamber at 610-326-2900.
Photos provided to Travels With The Post by the TriCounty Chamber of Commerce
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