Dear PennPAC Community,

Happy New Year!

I’m back at my desk feeling refreshed after enjoying the holidays with my family. I hope you also had the chance to rest and recharge — with some time away from the office, computer, and phone.

The start of a new year is such a meaningful moment to reflect on all we accomplished together while looking ahead to everything we hope to achieve in the months to come.

2025 was an extraordinary year for PennPAC. We partnered with 37 nonprofits addressing critical issues—from education and community building to health and food insecurity – including Brooklyn Book Bodega, FEAST, and the Kingsessing Heals Community Resource Center.

Two highlights that stand out to me are:

• Our Spring Celebration last April, which brought so many members of our community together in person at the Penn Club in NYC; and

• The Alumni Award of Merit Gala, where the University of Pennsylvania honored our founder, Jackie Einstein Astrof, during Homecoming Weekend in November.

Both evenings were powerful reminders of how energizing it is when our community comes together in person. As we head into the new year, we’ll keep that spirit front and center — adding more ImPACt events, encouraging more in-person team meetings, and planning additional opportunities to gather.

And if your New Year’s resolution is to volunteer more, we’ve got you covered! We have a great slate of spring consulting projects gearing up, and if you’re interested, you can fill out our volunteer application here.We’re also planning a virtual ImPACt event on February 3rd. You can learn more and register here.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and meaningful 2026.

Warmly,

Karen Schub Epstein

Executive Director