NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, is pleased to announce that its Executive
Director, Penelope Ettinger, won
first place from the Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards, in the
Community and Behavioral Health category for her work at NOVA.
The 2024 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards honor the region’s most passionate social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers who help to make the area a thriving region of innovation and opportunity. The theme of this year’s awards is “Achieving a More Just Society,” and recognizes leaders who find solutions through innovative programs and policies that help create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Since becoming the Executive Director of NOVA in 2016, Ettinger has led the organization as it expanded its scope of services. Her accomplishments include:
- Consistent growth of NOVA’s budget and staffing, with the organization increasing from 44
full and part-time staff to nearly 100 full and part-time staff.
- Establishment of the Forensic Nursing Program and expansion of access to Forensic Nurses for victims of sexual assault and inter-personal violence at five hospitals in Bucks County.
- Expansion of the NOVA Thrift Shop, which included construction of a 10,000 square foot building. The thrift shop is a significant source of revenue for NOVA, bringing in gross revenue of $1.19 million in fiscal year 2023.
“Winning the Social Innovation award on behalf of NOVA is truly humbling and fills me with immense pride,” said Ettinger. “It's a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team in creating meaningful impact. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and making a difference in the world."
About NOVA
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, visit www.NOVABucks.org.
About the Great
Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards
Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards celebrates social innovators from the Philadelphia area. These awards honor the region’s most passionate social innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers whose work and social impact too often goes unacknowledged, yet their efforts are what makes our communities a thriving region of innovation and opportunity. The theme of the awards, “Achieving a More Just Society,” recognizes organic leadership who re-envision the challenges that communities face and find innovative solutions to reshape communities. Social Innovators create change through innovative programs, policies, and by revolutionizing realities to bring us all forward to a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow. To learn more, visit https://www.philadelphiainnovationawards.com/
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Image and caption
courtesy of NOVA:
Penelope Ettinger.jpeg—
Penelope Ettinger, Executive Director of NOVA, won the 2024 Greater Philadelphia
Social Innovation Awards, in the Community and Behavioral Health category for
her work at NOVA.
