NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, announced 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 had 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 interpersonal 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.”
