Sue Bare shares how her lifelong commitment to service and maternal-child health led her to support Community Progress Council as a monthly donor
For Sue Bare, giving back has never been a question — it’s a lifelong calling rooted in community, service, and care for others. From her early years in York County 4-H to her career in maternal-child health, Sue’s journey has centered on what she can do for the community.
That mindset carried into her career as a nurse midwife, where she became closely connected to programs that support maternal and child health.
When Sue returned to York County in 2015 to join York College of Pennsylvania as a clinical instructor and educator, her research on postpartum smoking behaviors gave her a natural reason to connect to Community Progress Council and partner with CPC’s Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program.
“I would sit around during hours of WIC, at the main office, at the satellite offices,” she says, working to connect with possible interviews. “They were supportive for what I needed, when I needed that outreach. When I finished my dissertation, I wanted to be able to keep supporting an organization doing good work.”
Her experience deepened her appreciation — not only for CPC’s maternal health services, but also for the organization’s broader role in the community.
“Much of what [CPC does], I know it from the standpoint of WIC and connection for pregnant and postpartum women and kids up to that age,” she shares. “That’s certainly where my heart is. But I also have a deep respect for community-based nonprofit organizations.”
She’s particularly inspired by Community Progress Council’s ability to meet families where they are, whether through its central York location or its network of hubs and mobile outreach throughout the county. Last year, CPC served more than 7,300 children under 5 and their families, as the largest provider in York County of services to low-income families with children.
As one of Community Progress Council’s monthly donors, Sue is part of a dedicated group of supporters that provides steady support for families building stronger, more stable futures.
Her decision to give monthly is also informed by her past experience, in this case from serving as a student representative to an on-campus ministry during her college years.
“I was able to recognize from the administrative side, how monthly giving helps to stabilize budgets,” Sue says.
Although she’s no longer at the bedside anymore or directly connected with seeing patients, her commitment to maternal and child health remains.
“I still recognize that the need is there, and I’m never going to step away from that patient population.”
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Community Progress Council empowers people to move toward economic self-sufficiency. But, we can’t do this work without donors like Sue — and you!