Khalil came to Chester County OIC through Better Tomorrows which serves the Regency Park community. He had just returned home last fall, and was in search of reliable job with transportation support to help pay his fines. He really just wanted a chance to grow and succeed. With the help of our dedicated team, Khalil attended all of his appointments and met all of the program requirements, and is now enrolled in the FRESHStart Kitchen at the Chester County Food Bank! This 14-week culinary training program results in sustainable employment in the food service industry. FRESH is an acronym for Focusing Resources on Employment, Self-Sufficiency and Health.
Chester County OIC is dedicated to “Helping People Help Themselves.” Through SOAR, which stands for Skills, Opportunities, Achievement, and Responsibility, we support young adults who have been involved in the criminal justice system to get training and find employment that leads to self-sufficiency. Our holistic, trauma informed care approach helps our program participants overcome barriers to set and achieve their goals.
Khalil Knight, the first participant in our new SOAR Reintegration Program working at Chester County Food Bank FRESHstart program.
Khalil has continuously expressed his excitement about being involved with Chester County OIC and FRESHStart Kitchen, stating “Yes, I finally have things to look forward to!” Over just a few months of working with the SOAR team, he has shown tremendous motivation and dedication to his own personal and professional development. Khalil is on the track to lifelong success!
Joyce Chester, President & CEO, said, “We look forward to the great things Khalil will do, and to fostering more networks and support systems so that many, many more people in Coatesville and Chester County at-large can come to us to improve their lives.”
The beneficiary of the West Chester Rotary Club 2019 Fruit Sale is none other than Chester County OIC. Funds raised will help support our GED Prep program — instructional staff, books, supplies, and student transportation.
Joyce Chester, President & CEO, Chester County OIC
We are proud to say that this year our very own Joyce Chester, President and CEO of Chester County OIC, has been chosen as Woman of the Year. The recipient of Woman of the Year exemplifies outstanding contributions in the community through exemplary service. Congratulations, Joyce! We couldn’t think of a more worthy leader to receive this honor.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will be hosting their Finer Womanhood: High Tea on Saturday, March 16, 2019. This year’s High Tea will be held on the campus of West Chester University at Sykes Student Union 110 W. Rosedale Avenue West Chester, PA 19382 at 12pm. Finer Womanhood is an annual national observance of the Sorority that is celebrated from the last full week in February to the end of March. Every year since 1923 members of Zeta Phi Beta all over the world have annually devoted a special time to identifying and shining a light on women, youth and organizations who express the ideals of the sorority and have used their lives to leave an indelible impression on society
Free event THIS Thursday, February 7th, at 5pm Chester County OIC is hosting the final “Let’s Talk Coatesville” event, tackling the topics of education and jobs. Dinner and childcare are both provided! No reason to miss this event!
The Brandywine Health Foundation wants to hear your voice.
During our final “Let’s Talk Coatesville” event, we’ll tackle
the health challenges created by imbalances in education,
income and economic opportunity in the greater
Coatesville community. We’ll tap into community wisdom
to identify the most challenging financial roadblocks to
upward mobility and discuss viable solutions.
Guided by the principles of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Chester County OIC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 21st, 2019 at their new headquarters, located at 22 N. 5th Avenue in Coatesville. This marks the official opening of their doors to the community.
Thank you to everyone who made the day so special including the community of Coatesville, Chester County Commissioners, Pastor/State Representative Dan Williams, Coatesville City Council President Linda Lavender and other council members, Assistant City Manager James Logan, Mayor Clifford DeBaptiste, Pastor Wayne Croft, Coatesville Flower Shop, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Triple Fresh Inc., and James Hanes and Jason White of OIC of America.
“Chester County OIC is proud to return to the city of Coatesville. We are happy to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary in the community where we began.” Said Joyce Chester, CEO of the non-profit organization.
Chester County OIC was awarded a HUD grant to purchase the former location of the Coatesville Senior Center this past year and has plans to renovate the space to accommodate all of their programs including GED, English as a Second Language, Certified Nurse Aid Training, and re-entry training for justice-involved young adults ages 18-24 years old. These programs available for Chester County residents are made possible through grants from the Department of Labor and Pennsylvania Department of Education.
For more information, call (610) 692-2344 or visit www.ccoic.org
COATESVILLE — Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell recently presented a check for $300,000 to representatives of Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center.
The funds, made available through a community development block grant, have been used to purchase a new primary office location for Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center in the City of Coatesville.
On June 27th, 2018 Chester County OIC celebrated 25 years of service from one of our longtime employees. Maryann Mann worked for OIC as our Workforce-Education Director. Please join us in congratulating Maryann on her years of service to the community!
Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center is a non-profit community- based organization that has been meeting the needs of the economically disadvantaged individuals throughout the community.
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