Warwick townlively.com
JULY 31, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 21`
Merger ushers in new era in NSI’s war against human trafficking BY JEFF FALK
North Star Initiative (NSI) is doubling down on its mission. The local nonprofit is adding to its resources and increasing its reach in the fight against human trafficking. R e c e n t l y, N S I a b s o r b e d Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved (F.R.E.E.), a
Berks County-based nonprofit with similar goals, methods and beliefs, into its operations. It’s a move that will allow NSI to impact more survivors and achieve an even greater good. “I’ve had a desire for collaboration,” said Melinda Clark, NSI’s executive director. “There’s too much work that needs to be done, and you can’t do it alone. See North Star Initiative pg 4
Warwick graduate Bella Cesarini (front row, middle) plays a role in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” as part of an internship at Fulton Theatre.
For Bella Cesarini, all the world’s a stage BY JEFF FALK
a lot of people, even when they were doing shows.” “Every day, I was just so happy to be there,” she continued. “It’s cool to be in such a historic building where so many performers have acted. I could just sit there, taking in the aura of the place. You know so many cool things happened there.” In addition to the hands-on experience that the internship provided, Cesarini also had multiple minor roles in the Fulton Theatre’s recent presentation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” including one as an Oompa Loompa. Although the roles did not involve speaking or lines, Cesarini was, at times, required to sing and dance. “Kindness is such a big part of the industry; that’s what I learned this year,” said Cesarini. “A lot of
North Star Initiative staff members (left and second from left) interview a client during an intake session.
LCDHH provides connections for communication BY JEFF FALK
One of the five human senses, hearing is something that can be easily taken for granted. But for those who can’t hear, there’s an element of appreciation that inspires creativity, ingenuity and a manifestation of the human spirit. Through a wealth of services and resources, the Lancaster Center of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (LCDHH), located at 2270 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, which is a subsidiary
See Bella Cesarini pg 3
of and overseen by Keystone Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services (KDHHS) of Reading, helps individuals with hearing loss learn to listen, communicate better and generally lead fuller lives. LCDHH client services manager and language specialist Karen Pfortsch, who has been deaf since birth, was interviewed for this article with the help of sign language interpreter Kandy Reyes, KDHHS’ president. “Deaf individuals are happy being deaf,” said Pfortsch. “We can do everything except hear. See LCDHH pg 2
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ella Cesarini isn’t really any different than most young people in that she is headed down a path toward her future. While she’s not quite sure exactly where that path will take her, Cesarini is fairly certain the destination will involve entertainment, theater or acting. But for Cesarini, it’s not all about the destination, simply because she’s having so much fun getting there. “It’s hard to say what the future is going to look like,” said Cesarini, who graduated from Warwick High School in June. “To be completely honest, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I feel like (entertainment is) such a core part of me. It’s hard to separate myself from being part
of the theater. If acting is in the cards, that’s fine. Over the next four years, I want to try a lot of things.” Cesarini, who’s been around theater most of her natural life, including involvement with drama at War wick, recently concluded a unique nine-month internship at the historic Fulton Theatre. This fall, she’s headed to Belmont University in Nashville to continue and refine her pursuits. “I knew I wanted to do something in the theater and entertainment industry, so I thought I’d start in my senior year (of high school),” said Cesarini of the internship. “Getting to know people in the entertainment industry was really interesting to me. It helped me figure out what I did and didn’t like. We shadowed