From Architecture to Advocacy: A Summer with BCHG

Hello! My name is Annelise Sinton, and I’m a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Community Development. This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Bucks County Housing Group through the Foundations Community Partnership Summer Youth Corps (SYC) program. I’ve always had a strong interest in affordable housing, and this internship gave me a deeper, more grounded understanding of what community support actually looks like on a day-to-day level.

At BCHG, I’ve taken on a wide range of responsibilities that kept each day different and hands-on. In the Doylestown and Penndel food pantries, I supported distribution, unpacked Market Rescue deliveries, and assisted in maintaining the community gardens. In our Warminster office, I dove into zoning research for one of BCHG’s housing sites and started building 3D models to explore potential redevelopment concepts that could expand housing and program space in the future

One of the projects I’ve been most excited about is preparing content for the upcoming Giving Tuesday campaign. I helped brainstorm story-based messaging, drafted social media posts, and created visual assets for a multi-week campaign to engage the community during the giving season. It’s been rewarding to contribute to something that directly supports BCHG’s mission. The donations raised through campaigns like this fund our food pantries. In turn, those neighbors can feed their families, stretch their budgets a little further, and take steps towards a safer, heathier future. Being part of that process, even behind the scenes, has helped me understand how storytelling and outreach translate into real, tangible impact.

What stood out the most during my time here is how much behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep programs like this running. From nonprofit marketing and digital fundraising to affordable housing advocacy, zoning research and food pantry logistics, I’ve seen how every part of BCHG’s work plays a role in fighting housing insecurity and food insecurity across the region. Whether it’s creating campaigns that encourage donations, supporting emergency food distribution, or helping explore new low-income housing development options, each effort directly supports local families and strengthens the safety net for our neighbors in need.

The team at BCHG has created a supportive space where I’ve been trusted to work independently while also learning from experienced and passionate professionals. I’m especially grateful to Malcolm Friend for his guidance and mentorship throughout this experience.

Thank you to everyone at BCHG and to Foundations Community Partnership for making this summer so impactful. My time here has deepened my interest in housing justice and community-centered design, and I’m walking away with new skills, perspective, and a strong sense of purpose. Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live, yet I’ve seen firsthand how many families in our own community are living one unexpected bill or missed paycheck away from crisis. Access to affordable housing isn’t just about shelter, it’s about dignity, security, and the foundation for a better future. I’ve learned that when we invest in housing and food security, we invest in a more resilient community.

Written by: Annelise Sinton