Want to find your next work opportunity? Our Opportunity Fair is coming up and we are excited to have a great roster of employers joining us next week in Coatesville! See the flyer for more details and contact Alicia for more information. Walk ins are encouraged but we also accept registrations. February 19, 2026 11:30am – 1:30pm 22 North 5th Avenue Coatesville, PA ABuchanan @ CC-OIC.org 484-378-9466
Big news – Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center’s President & CEO Javonna Wylie was selected as a Greater Philadelphia Innovation Award Finalist and won 2nd Place!
| GREATER PHILADELPHIA – On Thursday, January 29, 2026, The Social Innovations Journal (SIJ) hosted the 2026 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards (www.philadelphiainnovationawards.com) where Greater Philadelphia’s Social Sector Leaders presented the 2026 70 Finalists and Winners selected through an open nomination and voted upon by over 3,500 residents of Greater Philadelphia. The theme of the awards, “Achieving a More Just Society,” recognizes organic leadership who re-envision the challenges that communities face and find innovative solutions to reshape communities. Social Innovators create change through innovative programs, policies, and by revolutionizing realities to bring us all forward to a more accessible and inclusive tomorrow — today. Nikolaj Hansen-Turton, Manager of The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards, stated “The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards have grown into a powerful platform for uplifting the region’s most inspiring social innovators and community leaders. Each year, we see firsthand how bold ideas, local leadership, and deep community commitment are driving real, measurable change across our region. It’s an honor to help spotlight the individuals and organizations who are not only solving problems, but reshaping what’s possible for our communities.” Nicholas Torres, Co-Founder of the Social Innovations Journal stated, “These awards shine a light on the region’s most dedicated social innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders whose impact often goes unrecognized, yet whose work strengthens the fabric of our communities every day. Their vision and commitment are what make Greater Philadelphia a thriving hub of innovation and opportunity for all.” Tine Hansen-Turton, Co-Founder stated “The 2026 Awards mark more than a decade of celebrating social innovation in our region. Over the years, we’ve had the honor of introducing hundreds of changemakers whose ideas and leadership continue to transform communities and expand opportunity across Greater Philadelphia.”The Social Innovation Awards have been sponsored by the regions organizational social sector leaders including: Woods System of Care; Public Health Management Corporation; Tabor Services Foundation; Homestead Smart Health Plans; The Foundation for Delaware County; Patricia Kind Family Foundation; Vanguard Charitable; Harp-Weaver LLC; Johnson Kendall Johnson; Legacy Treatment Services; Phoenixville Community Health Foundation; Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation; Graduate Philadelphia!; and the Penn Graduate School of Education. |
Learn about our programs, get to know our staff and help us raise money to help improve and strengthen our education and career programs for the betterment of Chester County, PA! For specific details on program advertising, sponsor details and what your donation will go towards read below!
Where is the event?
Coatesville Country Club 143 Reservoir Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320
Learn more about Coatesville County Club https://www.coatesvillecountryclub.com/!
When is the event?
June 23rd | 5pm-9pm
How should I dress?
The dress is evening brilliant.
TICKET PRICE: $150.00 PER TICKET.
Why the GALA is a great opportunity:
Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) is a non-profit organization located in Coatesville, serving Chester County by providing FREE adult basic literacy education and life skills programs that prepare individuals for employment and economic self-sufficiency. In operation since 1979, CCOIC helps over 800 adults per year.
CCOIC is funded entirely by grants and fundraising dollars.
Grants are provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Chester County Department of Workforce Development, The Chester County Workforce Development Board, PA Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, CCRES, Alliance for Health Equity, American Water, and other private foundations and businesses.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE:
Day and evening classes assisting non-native English speakers to learn English and skills to obtain and retain employment, post-secondary education, and/or prepare for citizenship.
GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT:
Day and evening classes up to four times a week in locations around the county to prepare adults without a high school diploma to take the GED exam.
ADULT TUTORING PROGRAM:
Volunteer tutoring program based at Chester County Library in Exton to assist students to improve English language skills, prepare for the GED exam, or to improve math and reading skills to gain or upgrade employment or to enter post-secondary education and training.
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM:
Online independent study program, workbooks and materials are supplied free of charge to help reach educational goals. Teacher support is available by email, phone or mail.
WORK ENCLAVE PROGRAM:
A comprehensive employment and vocational counseling and training program to help unemployed and underemployed adults of Chester County get a job.
CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE TRAINING PROGRAM:
Preparing individuals for certification as CNAs to work in the healthcare industry.
And so much more.
What your tax-deductible donation can help do:
$100 Gas Cards
$150 Student Supplies
$250 ESL Books for one class
$400 GED Books for one class
$600 Digital Literacy Laptop
$900 Work Boots for an Enclave Cohort
$100 Student Clearances
$150 Testing Supplies
$250 Chromebook
$300 Classroom Software
$500 Van Maintenance
$750 CNA Training Mannequin
The 29th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast is in Memory of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This breakfast is sponsored by the Phoenixville Area Social Concerns Committee.
Continental Breakfast – Cost $15 per person. $1 goes to the Don Coppedge Memorial Fund.
Below you can purchase your ticket, or download the flyer!
The Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation awards Chester County OIC $5,000.00 for Project HOPE (High Priority Occupations Producing Earnings.). The check was presented to Joyce Chester, president and CEO, by Ken DeTreux, board member of Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation!
CCOIC is proud to announce our Work Enclave Program has been awarded $20,000 from the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program!Thank you to Pennsylvania American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation!
Read their full press release and learn about the grant and other recipients here:
| CCOIC is happy to offer our Loaner Chromebook program for potential virtual students! |
| Want to enroll in one of our Virtual ESL or GED classrooms, but don’t have a computer? Join our “Loaner Chromebook” program!! Virtual learning can be a convenient way to reach your goals! Sign up today! |
| For more information contact: Maryann Stravous at 610-235-4588 or mstravous@cc-oic.org. |
CCOIC is proud to be an organization that offers education to a wide range of people looking to better their knowledge and lives! Now we are thankful to be the newest AHHAH site for handing out books to local kids!! Thank you to AHHAH and Jan Michener! This will be an exciting opportunity for Coatesville families and we can’t wait to share more about our partnership and the CCIU student workers who will help us make a difference in young readers lives!
