These past few years have presented a constant barrage of challenges for our organization and the children and families whom we serve. Each season seemed to present a new hurdle, and many of them made it more difficult for children, youth and families to stay connected and to reach their goals.
But Coatesville Kids to College rose to meet the challenge.
We continue to adapt, adjust and innovate to ensure that vital needs are met within our community:
APRIL 2020 - JUNE 2020
In March of 2020 we had to shut down our programs due to COVID-19, so we shifted our focus to relief for the children and families we serve. Through the spring we provided weekly deliveries of food and grocery store gift cards, rental and utility assistance for families struggling due to loss of jobs, and Zoom classes and supplemental educational supplies to continue to support our students’ learning. We also celebrated our students’ graduations from preschool, elementary school and middle school.
JULY 2020 – AUGUST 2020
In the summer of 2020 we redesigned our summer camps to make them COVID-safe and provided 6-weeks of free summer programming for preschool, elementary and middle school students. Our preschool camp combined online classes in art, music, and Bible with outdoor activities in the community garden and local park. Our elementary and middle school camps consisted of classes in cooking, art, science and academics.
SEPTEMBER 2020 – MARCH 2021
When the school district announced it was closing schools, we shifted again and developed a full-day virtual learning center for grades K-8th grade which provided students with the resources and supports they needed to successfully complete their online learning. We also relaunched our preschool, making adjustments to ensure it was COVID-safe for children, families and staff. Our students have grown throughout the fall and parents have received the support they need to provide for their families.
APRIL 2021 - PRESENT
When students returned to school in March of 2021, we shut down our virtual learning center and once again pivoted to meet our students needs. In September of 2021 started our eighth year of Bright Beginnings Preschool, adding a third classroom for the first time, and relaunched our I-Rise After-School Programs which provide tutoring and enrichment programming daily for students K-8th grade. We are excited to operate two full-day 6 week summer camps this summer, at no cost to families, so that our students can continue to grow and learn.
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Coatesville Kids to College would like to thank The Alliance for Health Equity, United Way of Southern Chester County, and Chester County Community Foundation for providing funding that enabled us to supply coronavirus relief in the community; F4 and Highland Orchards for providing food donations, Hopewell United Methodist Church for providing financial assistance, and all of the individual donors who have supported our efforts to assist families who are facing challenges due to COVID-19.
We are proud to be a part of the great efforts taking place by the Coatesville community to support those in greatest need.