Rev. Antoinette C. Truehart – February 2025 Volunteer of the Month

When Antoinette Truehart realized she couldn’t get the difficulties the 50+ in her community were facing out of her head – and her heart – she decided to take matters into her own hands.

“When my husband and I talked with seniors in the community, one of the things that tugged at my heart was that they could not get or didn’t have someone to advocate for them and they were falling through the cracks,” said Antoinette of Delaware County. “I could not stand by and see someone not getting the help they needed.”

Two years ago, she attended a Movies for Grownups with her cousin, Gayle Norman, an AARP member and volunteer. As fate would have it, Gayle introduced Antoinette to Grace Rustia, AARP Associate State Director.

She knew after talking with Grace, AARP was the platform for her to help the 50+ in her community. Since then, Antoinette has met and spoken with legislators and council members about AARP services. She has also done radio interviews on behalf of AARP at WURD.

Antoinette started her career in banking in lending and ended in banking as a Community Development Officer. She left banking but continued in the field of community and economic development and joined Entrepreneur Works Fund, where she serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Entrepreneur Works Fund is a non-profit, Community Development Financial Institution that provides access to loan capital, business development services and technical assistance to emerging and existing micro/small businesses in the greater Philadelphia region. Truehart also serves Yeadon Borough as a Councilmember and a Chaplain with the Police Department.

“When I moved from in my banking career from lending to community development, it was also a call to ministry for me,” said Truehart, an ordained minister at The Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Yeadon, Delaware County.

Trained in Trauma Informed Care, Truehart partnered with AARP to hold a seminar educating the community on Trauma Informed Care. Her church was the site for the seminar in 2023 and it will be the host site for organizing roses for this year’s Cupid Crew.

“Working with other AARP volunteers and being part of an organization directing people to AARP services is wonderful. As our population ages, I want people to know that these services are available to anyone,” said Truehart. “There are people in their communities who really care and can provide access to these services. To help those who are falling through the cracks, we need to keep fighting the good fight.”