Stef Arck-Baynes

Storytelling + Social Impact

United States

20+ years of experience developing and pitching compelling content.

Specializing in nonprofit, parenting, and equity issues.

Owner, Achieving Good Communications.

Co-owner of 2StreetSammies food cart.

Human and dog mom.

Portfolio

PR Secured

NY Newsday
04/24/2021
Good to Know: Nonprofit links people in need with benefits

Unable to work because she has lupus and arthritis, Robin Gentry suffered silently in South Philadelphia, living on a Social Security disability check that never seemed to stretch 31 days. Gentry, 59, is separated and lives with two of her five adult children.

The Philadelphia Inquirer
12/25/2017
THEY OVERCAME: 3 STORIES OF HOPE FROM WOMEN WHO'D ENDURED HELL | Philabundance

Till then, she had done everything right: waited until she was married to have her son, Robert; attended trade school and community college; worked a solid job as a surgical tech. But a childhood of abuse, of her now-dead mother's multiple men touching her, of frequent moves in and out of rundown apartments, caused Dobbs' brain to crack apart, she said.

NBC News
04/22/2013
Poverty in America: Millions of families too broke for bank accounts

Sabino Fuentes-Sanchez hid $25,000 all around his house because he didn't trust banks. Lasonia Christon receives her Wal-Mart salary on a pre-paid debit card. Kim James was homeless for most of the past decade in part because she had no place to save money.

Writing & Blogs

2023 Gala video
Jewish Relief Agency

Developed the concept, wrote the script, interviewed subjects and assisted with editing the final product of a fundraising video for a Philadelphia-based nonprofit.

Main Line Parent
10/20/2021
Empowering Girls for Leadership, Growth, and the Real World - Main Line Parent

Since 1856, the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur has educated, empowered, and inspired young women for a lifetime of compassionate leadership and service. Delaware County's only Catholic, independent, all-girls' academy, Notre Dame is devoted to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of young women.

Philabundance
10/21/2019
People First | Philabundance

You're hungry. And you have a family. You have enough food for dinner tonight and tomorrow but you're waiting for your paycheck Friday to ensure you'll have money for food for the weekend. You're fairly confident it will work out (you do this budget dance every month) but you "take lunch" every other Friday at a Philabundance Fresh for All free food distribution...

The Official Blog of PPRA
08/08/2019
Between You and MEdia... with Alfred Lubrano

As PR professionals, we all know the importance of building meaningful relationships with members of the media - reporters, producers, assignment editors, etc. But how does that happen, and where do you start? In this new section of the PPRA blog, PPRA members will share insight, tips and tricks, and fun facts learned from members of the media through informal interviews.

AOL Digital City
Up in Smoke

Brief on the forthcoming smoking ban in NY

Crisis Communications

ABC News
Government shutdown poses increasing risk to wider economy

WASHINGTON -- At this time of year, John Sprinkle and his wife would normally be planning their summer vacation. Not now. Sprinkle, a furloughed federal employee, is about to miss his second paycheck since the partial government shutdown began just before Christmas.

New York Post
08/24/2009
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY PULLS RACIALLY OFFENSIVE BOOK

The Brooklyn Public Library pulled a book off the shelves after it was deemed racially offensive. "Tintin au Congo," written and illustrated 79 years ago by Belgian writer and illustrator Georges (Herge) Remi, got the boot after patrons complained that the book depicted Africans as monkeys.

Libraryjournal
Library Journal

LJ's annual graphic novel and manga preview, our special investigation into the trends and current state of the format, we asked publishers what trends and concepts they're seeing in the genre. The findings? The industry is expanding in new and exciting ways, from beloved webcomics finally being featured in print, to changes in ebook sales and new influences from other forms of media.

Interviews

https://www.inquirer.com
04/11/2023
Philadelphia mothers of invention create businesses on maternity leave

Bo Zhao, 41, of Center City, gave birth to her first daughter, Milu, in June 2018. During her maternity leave from an e-commerce company, Zhao and around two-dozen other moms eager for community started meeting at the Nesting House, a now-shuttered spot in South Philadelphia.

95.7 BEN FM
05/24/2022
Stef Arck-Baynes shares Her Story with Kathy Romano

Stef Arck-Baynes has many titles: Mom; writer for Philadelphia Family Magazine; Managing Director of Communications & Corporate Relations at Caring For Friends; and co-owner of 2 Street Sammies food cart! Her Story is hosted by Kathy Romano and airs Sunday mornings on 95.7 BEN-FM.

The Chestnut Hill Local
01/14/2021
BenePhilly helps city residents get the services, aid they need

Anyone who has ever applied for federal or state benefits programs knows that it can try one's patience. Experience with government websites can make you dizzy and interacting with overworked staff in government bureaucracies can leave you in despair.

Free People Blog
03/26/2020
Care FP: Giving Thanks -- and Love -- to Philabundance

Philadelphia's largest hunger relief organization, Philabundance is providing sustenance to more members of our community than ever. Find out how you can help the people in your area. I find that the subject of gratitude is often reserved for stories that are being published in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

PhillyCAM - Philadelphia Community Access Media
01/16/2019
People Power Lunch Hour

©2016 PhillyCAM - Philadelphia Community Access Media

95.7 BEN FM
11/24/2015
Stefanie Arck Baynes, Philabundance

Marilyn's guest is Stefanie Arck-Baynes, Sr. Manager Communication and PR for Philabundance with details on the many ways you can help fight hunger in our area this holiday season...including Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger, 6 ABC Food Drive, Acme, Septa and Boy Scouts food drives and more.

Press Releases, Statements, Reports, Collateral

Xiente
09/14/2023
Norris Square Community Alliance is now Xiente - Xiente

September 15, 2023 (Philadelphia, PA) - Forty-year-old nonprofit Norris Square Community Alliance announced today that it is relaunching as Xiente with a bold new multi-pronged approach to poverty alleviation. Its new strategy will include developing holistic, proactive, personalized economic mobility plans for two generations of families.

Benefits Data Trust
Benefits Data Trust Welcomes Leona Thomas as its New Chief Technology Officer

Philadelphia, July 15, 2020 - Benefits Data Trust (BDT) is pleased to announce the hiring of Leona Thomas as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). BDT is a national nonprofit organization that connects people to public benefits that can help pay for food, housing, healthcare, and other critical needs.

Philabundance
3/29/2019
2018 Annual Report

Developed and organized content, project managed this 23-page document

Philabundance
03/11/2019
Philabundance Reveals Bold, New Initiative to End Hunger for Good | Philabundance

Philabundance Reveals Bold, New Initiative to End Hunger for Good Recognizing That Hunger Rarely Occurs in a Vacuum, Philabundance Launches Collaborative Pilot Program to Pair Critical Services and Food to Promote Self-Sufficiency Philadelphia, PA, March 11, 2019-Philabundance today announced a bold new initiative, Ending Hunger.

GlobeNewswire News Room
03/06/2014
CDFI INDUSTRY PLEDGES $1 BILLION ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT THE GOALS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S "MY BROTHER'S...

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) CEO and President Mark Pinsky today announced a $1 billion CDFI industry pledge in support of President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper." OFN is a national network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) investing in opportunities that benefit low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged communities across America.

Presentations and Events

OFN Conference Session
10/17/2013
PR & Social Media: Kissing Cousins

I developed, produced, and moderated this conference session with Bob Sullivan from NBC News, Blair Kahora of Buchanan PR, and Jess Brooks of Boston Community Capital.

OFN Annual Conference -- Posted on CDFI Fund Website
10/17/2012
Social Media Bootcamp

Intro and tips and tricks for incorporating social media into your marketing strategy