National Philanthropy Day is set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy – and those people active in our philanthropic community – have made to our lives, our communities, and our world. Each year, AFP honors individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced and inspired philanthropy locally and around the globe.

Robins’ Nest was a private, not-for-profit children’s services organization that offers community-based residential and in-home programming to ensure the safety of children and enhance their well-being in a family setting.

On July 1, 2019, Robins’ Nest Inc., Cape Counseling Services and NewPoint Behavioral Health Care announced their merge under a new name.  The new name is Acenda Integrated Health.

Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services by offering over 100 innovative programs to support children, adults, families, veterans, caregivers and the community at large. With results-focused protocols and driven, experienced staff, Acenda is having a measurable impact on so many people, in so many ways.

Acenda represents growth, success, and a commitment to lifting the lives and spirits of those in our communities. By bringing together their bright teams, innovative services, and understanding, caring hearts, they are moving upward to move lives forward. They provide a wide range of mental health, crisis services, parenting support, family-focused therapy, and residential programming, as well as reproductive health services through their affiliate, FamCare, they are creating a legacy as the premier integrated health provider in southern New Jersey.

From Acenda Integrated Health:

Nancy Kowalik’s relationship with Acenda, formerly Robins’ Nest, dates back to the early 2000s, when she was the owner of the Country Christmas Shop located in Mullica Hill.  Nancy hosted a holiday fundraiser and encouraged the community to join in supporting a cause near and dear to her heart. Since that time, Nancy has established herself as the premier realtor in South Jersey, and now proudly operates Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group, just a few minutes away from where the Country Christmas Shop was once located.

Nancy’s commitment to her community and helping those living right here in our own neighborhoods is truly admirable, and a testament to her kind heart and passion for making a difference. Over the past few years, Nancy and her team have been a leading sponsor of the Acenda fall gala, volunteered at our Community Care Day, collected school supplies for our annual Backpack Drive, hosted various social media contests to benefit our mission, and spread awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month by proudly displaying a pinwheel garden outside of the real estate group’s office.

But Nancy and her team don’t stop there—Nancy has adopted our girls’ group home located in Mullica Hill, decorating the home for the holiday season each year and purchasing and assembling outdoor furniture, landscaping, and recreation equipment for the girls to enjoy during the warm spring and summer months.

Perhaps most significantly, throughout 2018, Nancy Kowalik and her team set aside a portion of the commission from every home sale and purchase, which had accumulated to over $23,000 to donate in honor of our 50th Anniversary milestone. It is truly incredible to see the ways Nancy and her team came together and inspired participation, caring, and change for our mission.

Most recently, Nancy donated $1,000 to Acenda in honor of the Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group’s 1000 Families Serviced Milestone.

We are so grateful to have Nancy as a part of the Acenda family,  as she shares in our values of kindness, compassion, and making a difference where your roots are. Nancy’s philanthropic support does not stop with Acenda, she generously supports Rowan Athletics, “Wild  Wednesday” Rides for the Mullica Hill Women’s Tri Club, Mullica Hill Lunch/Homework Group, Clearview Regional Pioneers football team, and many other worthy charities. Nancy is truly an altruistic philanthropist whose contributions to the community are worthy of the recognition of AFP NJ, Southern Chapter Outstanding Philanthropist.

“The challenges I faced on my path to becoming a successful business owner came from doing it all on my own. With the right support, we can change the course of our young people’s lives. Today’s society does not put enough importance on families.

Families are the fabric of our communities. Acenda knows that a healthy family environment, no matter what the structure of that family looks like, is paramount. The work of Acenda is life-giving and strengthens families – and as a result – the entire community.” Kowalik said.

Nancy was away at a Marketing Convention in Anaheim, California on the day of the Award Banquet, but her son, Jared, and daughter, Alexandra, were there to accept the award for their mother.

Here’s a video capturing the event:

Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group will continue their support of Acenda Integrated Health by donating a portion of every real estate transaction they complete as they did for Robins’ Nest.

Each year Nancy and her staff dedicate several days of service to provide hands-on support to Acenda’s ongoing projects.

They encourage you to visit their website at www.acendahealth.org and check out how they are making a difference in the lives of children and families in South Jersey!

When you Buy or Sell with Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group you are supporting local community organizations, through their generous contribution to community organizations. Acenda is just one of the many organizations supported.

Some other community organization that Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group supports continually are:  The United Way of Gloucester County, Clearview Regional Pioneers Sports, Clearview Regional High School Band, Peachtree Pirates Peach Bowl Swim Competition, West Deptford Little League, The Gloucester County 4H Fair, Rowan Athletics, Kingsway Athletics, Manuta VFW, various Harrison Township Sports Teams and many more!

On December 5, 2019, Nancy Kowalik will be presenting another check to Acenda at the Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group VIP Client Holiday Party.

Read more about it here: