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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Springfield, PA

Home Care Springfield, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Springfield Township Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Springfield, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Springfield, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here ☺”

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”

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“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”

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“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”

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“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”

Betty W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”

Roger B.
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“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”

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“Always Best Care provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact about changes or concerns. They truly do care and it shows. They live the Always Best Care name every day. I would recommend them for sure.”

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“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”

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“Always Best Care has been tremendous. The caregivers are well trained and very considerate. Thanks to my infirmity, I have unique care needs but ABC has been able to provide that care and even go above and beyond in their efforts to care for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. If you’re in need of care, this is the agency to call.”

James M.
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“Always Best is truly a company that distinguishes itself from the other companies in its personal attention to make the client totally satisfied. Excellent communication is another reason you feel so secure. I never had a moment of frustration or worry. I can't recommend David and his staff enough!!! Karen in Plymouth Meeting”

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“Love what I heard about the company. Champion Care is important for seniors.”

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“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”

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“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”

Tanya R.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Springfield, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Springfield, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Springfield, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Springfield, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Springfield, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Crowell Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Springfield, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Tavola Restaurant + Bar or visit Springfield Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Springfield, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Springfield, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Springfield, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Springfield, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Springfield, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Springfield, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Springfield, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Springfield, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Ravenwood Senior Living
  • Lakewood Senior Living
  • The Bungalows at Springfield East
  • The Montclair Senior Living
  • The Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • The Bungalows at Chesterfield Village
Home Care Springfield, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Springfield, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Springfield, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Springfield, PA

Latest News in Springfield, PA

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Multiple weather systems lead to a scary forecast for most of the U.S. as people head out to trick-or-treat on Halloween night. Multiple layers and winter coats will also be a necessity for some in addition to the kiddos Halloween costumes, while record warmth is possible for others. A frightful low pressure system will move across the Great Lakes on Halloween night, dragging a dangerous cold front across the Midwest, Lower Missi...

Multiple weather systems lead to a scary forecast for most of the U.S. as people head out to trick-or-treat on Halloween night. Multiple layers and winter coats will also be a necessity for some in addition to the kiddos Halloween costumes, while record warmth is possible for others. A frightful low pressure system will move across the Great Lakes on Halloween night, dragging a dangerous cold front across the Midwest, Lower Mississippi Valley and western Gulf Coast. Ghouls and goblins might have to dodge a few raindrops early in the night across the Midwest and Mid-Mississippi Valley. This includes Boos, Ill., and Black Cat, Ark. Rain showers and thunderstorms will accompany most people in the Great Lakes, Ohio and Tennessee valleys and western Gulf Coast. Cities likely to have a drenching night include Devils Elbow, Mich., Dead Man’s Crossing, Ind., Bloody Corners, Ohio, Transylvania Beach, Ky., Screamer, Tenn., Bloody Springs, Miss., Treat, La., and Chocolate Bayou, Texas. For far northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it will be a wild night as temperatures will be cold enough for light to moderate wet snow or a rain/snow mix. Any new snow accumulation that falls while trick-or-treating will be minimal. However, snow from earlier in the day could total as much 4 to 8 inches in spots! These places might need to pair those Halloween costumes with snow boots, including in Witch Lake, Mich. Another low pressure system will be lurking over the Northwest. Rain showers will soak any witches or warlocks in the lower elevations of the Northwest, northern California and the northern Rockies. Meanwhile, snow will fall over the higher elevations. Mainly small, if any, accumulations are expected though. A soggy, snowy forecast is in store for places like Witch Hazel, Ore., Devils Ladder, Idaho, and Devils Den, Wyo. It will be eerily quiet for vampires and monsters to collect their candy for the Desert Southwest, most of the Plains and the East Coast. Quiet weather awaits cities like Death Valley, Calif., Pumpkin, Texas, Screamer, Ala., Pumpkintown, N.C., Spook Hill, Md., Skull Run, W. Va., Bloody, N.H., and Deadmans Corner, Maine. Expect ghastly cold weather for a large portion of the nation. Temperatures will generally be in the 30s and 40s for the Northwest, Great Basin and Rockies into the northern Plains, Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Widespread 20s will send a chill down people’s spine for the higher elevations of the Mountain West. These cold temperatures will be found in places like Devils Slide, Utah, Spook City, Colo., Pumpkin Center, S.D., Casper, Wyo., and Devils Gap, Neb. Dress in extra layers or bring a jacket if you’re in California, the central Plains or the rest of the Midwest. Temperatures will be dipping into the 50s and lower 60s, including in Slaughterville, Okla., Temperatures will be on the milder side to collect candy for the Desert Southwest into the southern Plains and the entire eastern U.S. Here, it should be in the 60s and 70s as you head out at night, including for places like Tombstone, Ariz., Slaughter Beach, Del., Deadman Landing, Fla., Skullhead, Ga., Spiderweb, S.C., Goblintown, Va., Hershey, Pa., and Sleepy Hollow, N. Y.Read More

Delco students back in class at different school after fire gutted classrooms

Two weeks after a massive fire ravaged and destroyed a Delaware County Catholic school, it was hugs Monday for students as they returned to class at a different school.The two-alarm fire started late on the afternoon of Oct. 7,...

Two weeks after a massive fire ravaged and destroyed a Delaware County Catholic school, it was hugs Monday for students as they returned to class at a different school.

The two-alarm fire started late on the afternoon of Oct. 7, 2024, at the St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. SkyForce10 was over the scene as firefighters battled flames and large plumes of smoke.

A massive fire ravaged and destroyed a local Catholic school in Delaware County causing the school to close for Tuesday. A large gathering of the parish community watched for hours as crews worked to get the fire under control. NBC10's Brian Sheehan has the details and reaction from students and parents.

The school, located at 112 Saxer Avenue in Springfield, serves preschool through eighth-grade students and is part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The fire damaged the building that houses pre-k, kindergarten, first and third grades.

Kenneth Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, told NBC10 that no one was inside the building during the fire, according to school administrators.

On Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, St. Francis students arrived to the St. Kevin Parish school in another part of Springfield to resume in-person learning. Some students could be seen getting hugs as they arrived.

“Extremely excited to welcome them, open the doors up, to let them into our new school,” St. Francis’ Jennifer Kissinger said.

Kissinger said that the pastor of St. Kevin had opened up to the St. Francis community: “our parish is yours.”

The Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is celebrating 100 years in the community. While the structure can be rebuilt, the loss is devastating for many.

"Just give us some time. We are going to regroup and then we're going to rebuild what we have to and make it better. But we are not going anywhere," said Father Matthew Trailes.

8th grade students have been selling bracelets and built donation tables outside the school, selling pretzels, water, and school spirit wear in hopes of raising money to rebuild the school. A Dance-a-thon is also planned this weekend.

There is no timetable for when repairs can be made to the fire-ravaged school building.

"Right now, prayers quite honestly," St. Francis principal Nicole Hamilton said in the hours after the fire.

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St. Kevin School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, prepares to welcome St. Francis of Assisi students after fire

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (CBS) – Investigators are still working to figure out the cause of last week's fire at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield, Delaware County.The Oct. 7 fire destroyed the bui...

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (CBS) – Investigators are still working to figure out the cause of last week's fire at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield, Delaware County.

The Oct. 7 fire destroyed the building housing the lower grades of the school. Classes have been canceled for the last week and a half for those students. But preparations are underway to return to the classroom.

Nearby St. Kevin School is stepping in, offering nine classrooms to the 150 students affected. But some of these classrooms haven't been used in years.

From the drilling and the toy sorting to the cleaning, it's all hands on deck to get the school ready. Even the little ones are doing their part.

"I was organizing everything," Salvatore, a 6-year-old student from St. Francis of Assisi School, said. "So I can make the classroom look nice."

Students in the lower grades will go to St. Kevin starting Monday. Students in the upper grades already went back to class because their building wasn't damaged in the fire.

"We're hoping that in the next two months, we can get the school classroom modulars put on the St. Francis campus, so that way we can all be together," Nicole Hamilton, the principal of St. Francis of Assisi School, said. "Being separate is not my goal at all."

The cafeteria at St. Kevin School is being used as a storage place for all the donations that St. Francis of Assisi School has received, from pencils and chalk to protractors and scissors.

"We were in a state of shock a week ago and the community has overwhelmed us with such love and happiness and support, that we are so grateful," Amy Travers, preschool teacher at St. Francis of Assisi School, said.

Travers said she can't wait to see her students' faces when they walk into their temporary new classroom.

"I'm excited for the first day of school Monday," Travers said. "I think it's going to be like the first day of school we had in September."

She's filled with gratitude as the work continues to return to normalcy.

Madeleine Wright

Madeleine Wright is a bilingual general assignment reporter for CBS News Philadelphia who is fluent in Spanish. She joined the team in January 2022 and was named the Delaware County reporter in July 2023.

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Efforts underway to find new location after massive fire destroys historic Catholic school building

SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A Delaware County community is devastated by the loss of a Catholic school building that has been around for a century.A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia told Action News that all classes are canceled Tuesday and that efforts are already underway to find a new location.The principal told Action News that roughly 150 students have been affected....

SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A Delaware County community is devastated by the loss of a Catholic school building that has been around for a century.

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia told Action News that all classes are canceled Tuesday and that efforts are already underway to find a new location.

The principal told Action News that roughly 150 students have been affected.

Flames and heavy smoke began pouring out of St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield Township Monday evening.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says the building housed pre-K, kindergarten, as well as 1st and 3rd grades.

Firefighters quickly began to work on putting out the fire, but it still spread and did plenty of damage.

The 911 calls started shortly after 5 p.m.

"I picked my kids up from school at 2:40 p.m. and everything was fine," said Kevin Ferry, from Springfield Twp.

But within hours, fierce flames ripped through the building at the parish school.

Chopper 6 was overhead as plumes of heavy smoke billowed from the roof of the building.

Luckily, the parish and a second school building were not impacted by the fire. Authorities say no one was inside at the time of the blaze.

This parish recently celebrated 100 years.

"I was just so surprised. It was really devastating because I've been here since like preschool and made lots of good friends here, said 7th grader, Sam Trevea.

"It's just hard to see the school like this. The fire and just knowing our kids go here every day and know they won't be going here every day," added Kristen Augustine, of Springfield Twp.

"It's devastating. It's absolutely devastating. It's been around 100 years, this building," added fellow resident, Jenny Stepelevich.

Twenty fire companies responded, blasting water at the flames.

"This is really sad for me because like a lot of people have a lot of memories here," said 4th grader Lizzie Smith.

"My kids went here, my husband, myself, my dad, my grandmother. We're all here just watching it. It's heartbreaking," said teacher aide Megan Ringwalt.

This tight-knit community is confident they'll get through this together.

"I think if everyone stays positive and faith in God. Everything's going to work out OK," said Kevin Ferry of Springfield Twp.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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