CYI launches Coatesville FallFest, Oct 30

The Coatesville Youth Initiative (CYI) is bringing fall fun to Coatesville with their 1st Annual Coatesville Fall Fest on October 30, from 12pm-3pm at Abdala Park.  The day will include a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, games, candy, face painting, and more.  Local small businesses and community-serving organizations will host tables at the event to give out candy, offer resources and sell their...

CYI now accepting applications for 2017 ServiceCorps

Also seeking local businesses to mentor students Earl Johnson, Chief of Voluntary Service at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with 2016 program participants COATESVILLE -Applications are now open for the Coatesville Youth Initiative (CYI) 2017 ServiceCorps; a highly selective, rigorous (and very fun) summer leadership program available to residents aged 14 to 18 who reside in the Coatesville Area...

CASD hosts Day of Service in honor of MLK Jr Day

Nearly 200 volunteers turned out to donate time to local organizations By Lauren Parker, News Editor, The Times  From left to right: Samuel Trizonis, Elena Long, Jadyn Brown, Rebekah Hallenbeck and JaLeah Blanton of the CASD presented essays on community service Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr day. Photo courtesy of CASD COATESVILLE – The Coatesville Area School District hosted a day...

David’s Drive buys out Army Navy store, donates to VA, CYI and CASD

Thousands of items of clothing purchased for those in need By Lauren Parker, News Editor, The Times Volunteers with David’s Drive were on hand last week to deliver clothing to the Coatesville Youth Initiative to be distributed to local youth. Photo courtesy of David’s Drive COATESVILLE – Though the iconic Army Navy store in the center of town has permanently closed its doors, storeowner...

Coatesville’s Make a Difference Day and Drug Take-Back event a success

Volunteers donated time, as police collected unused medications By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times After gathering outside of the Benner Building Saturday morning, over 100 volunteers donated their time in six locations throughout Coatesville. COATESVILLE – Great things were happening in Coatesville this past weekend for Make a Difference Day that was organized by the Coatesville Youth...

Backpack Drive in Coatesville aims to prepare students for success

1,500 backpacks given to CASD students By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times Aja Thompson of the CYI helped six-year-old Giselle Nunez pick out a new backpack for first grade. COATESVILLE – Hundreds of families in the Coatesville Area School District gathered at Scott Middle School last week for the fourth annual Coatesville Back to School: Prepare for Success event, where they received...

Festive 5K draws big crowds, helps community

Annual event benefits Coatesville Youth Initiative By Lauren Parker-Gill, Staff writer, The Times Cross country coach Jonah Gellner, Scott Middle School principal Chamise Taylor and race participants Justin and Lauren Reed gathered at the finish line after the Festive 5K at Scott Middle School. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Okumura. COATESVILLE – Hundreds of runners and walkers gathered at Scott Middle...

Backpack event connects the needy with the caring

Almost 1,400 students in need get back to school supplies, bags By Lauren Parker-Gill, Staff Writer, The Times Jane Johnson, a member of the committee for the Back to School event and a board member of the Bridge Academy and Community Center, helped students choose their backpacks filled with school supplies Friday at Scott Middle School. Photo courtesy of Coatesville Back to School: Prepare for Success...

Coatesville Youth Initiative celebrates new location

Open House unveils new facility in Benner Building By Lauren Parker-Gill, Staff Writer, The Times The Coatesville Youth Initiative literally rolled out the red carpet to welcome folks to its new facilities last week. Samuel Brown (Senior Associate Coordinator for ServiceCorps), Alazia Turner (Team Leader for ServiceCorps), and Mia Turner were just a few of the smiling faces greeting those who attended...

Medicine-disposal boxes coming to permanent area sites

Joint initiative will enable residents to avert risk unused prescriptions pose In the past, residents’ best option for disposing of unwanted medication was to take advantage of the semi-annual collections, such as the one that Coatesville Police Sgt. Rodger Ollis helped organize in the city. For years, government officials have seen mounting evidence that drug abuse often originates in home medicine...