Opportunities.

Since 1961, Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning (LDHL) is proud to have made over $19 million in interest free loans to eligible students from Lancaster County in pursuit of their post-secondary education goals. For the 2024-25 academic year, LDHL made 362 loans to students representing 111 colleges and universities. We are also proud of our 98% repayment rate that has enabled us to give students a hand up rather than a hand out.

Compass Mark provides school and community-based prevention programs for children, youth, and adults throughout Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester Counties. Our services include: Addiction Resource Center: We provide resources to educate our community on alcohol, other drugs, and gambling disorders and provide personalized information/referral services to local treatment and recovery supports. School-Based Prevention: Our team delivers an array of evidence-based prevention programs for students in Grades K-12, helping them to develop important skills in the areas of self-awareness, healthy coping strategies, interpersonal relationships and decision-making. Training and Professional Development: Compass Mark provides high-quality, up-to-date workshops for educators and community members on a variety of public health and youth development topics. We specialize in training school personnel to respond to child and adolescent behavioral health concerns through the Student Assistance Program.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy. With active Leagues in all 50 states and more than 750 Leagues across the country, we engage in advocacy, education, litigation, and organizing to protect every American’s freedom to vote. Founded in 1920, the League was a merger of the National Council of Women Voters and the National American Women’s Suffrage Association. Referred to as a “mighty political experiment,” it aimed to help newly enfranchised women exercise their right to vote. Today, the League has expanded our vision of a more inclusive democracy where all Americans, regardless of gender, sex, race, ability, or party can see themselves represented in our government. The LWV of Lancaster County PA was established in 1948. Our local league has a rich history of being an authority on voter education and registration. Membership in the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County gives you an opportunity to be part of nonpartisan fellowship focused on the issues, on creating a more educated and engaged electorate, and advocating for a more transparent government.

Advoz formed in 2017 from two long-serving community-based organizations in Lancaster County providing conflict mediation for families, neighbors and businesses, restorative justice dialogue for youthful offenders and those they harm and conflict skills training for people of all ages throughout the region. Both Lancaster Mediation Center, founded in 1981, and Center for Community Peacemaking/LAVORP in 1994, were started by veteran peacemakers, legal professionals and community and faith leaders who saw a “third way” out of many conflicts and harm. These visionaries, many now established leaders in the field, saw the potential and moral imperative to offer deeper resolution and healing with “third party” facilitated face-to-face dialogue methods developed in the 1980s and 1990s. Those methods promise more effective outcomes in resolution and healing than courts and many other crisis response options, and that effectiveness drives our passion to continue this work to you. Drawing initially from expertise in local international development organizations and colleges, Lancaster County has developed a unique set of programs in Advoz. Unlike many other states and countries, Pennsylvania lacks statewide mandates or funding for using mediation and restorative justice. Only through continued community partnerships and support from hundreds of individuals, congregations and businesses, has Advoz been able to rise to meet a changing community with truly transformative approaches. In 2017, Advoz was formed to provide not only mediation and restorative justice as in the original organizations, but also combine resources and expertise to change the way our communities “does” conflict and crime more proactively. That includes an expanded set of services, partnerships with schools and police, and new trainings in communication, conflict, and restorative practices at schools, organizations, and other groups to prevent situations from erupting in violence or crime.

Incorporated in 2008, the Lancaster Downtowners serve over 250 members who are committed to a thriving retirement in Lancaster city. Lancaster Downtowners is one of nearly 300 organizations nationwide known as villages; villages are membership-driven, grassroots communities and are a one-stop shop for people in that community to age well in their homes. We offer social and educational events, in-home support through volunteers, connections to resources, and partnerships with service providers to support our members’ independent lifestyles. The Lancaster Downtowners is largely volunteer-run, and supported by several part-time staff. The organization is currently working on a variety of projects to increase reach and long-term sustainability.