Students from the Garage Community Youth Center in Kennett Square boarded their school bus and headed “safety home” thanks to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Unionville Presbyterian Church and the Iota Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alphoa Sorority, Inc. Pictured left to right are Rev. Annalie Korengel, Unionville Presbyterian Church; Nelson and Cassandra, students at the Garage; Kristin Proto, executive director of the Garage; and Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox.
KENNETT SQUARE — Students from the Garage Community Youth Center in Kennett Square boarded their school bus and headed “Safely Home,” thanks to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Unionville Presbyterian Church and the Iota Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an African American woman’s service organization. Waving as students from the learning pod at the Garage left the building, Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox and Unionville Presbyterian Church’s Rev. Annalie Korengel provided New Year greetings and something more. Understanding the need for education and support services during the pandemic, they provided funds for the Garage’s evening bus trips home the week of Christmas and the first week of school in 2021.
“The Chester County Sheriff’s Office works for the protection of Chester County residents every day,” said Fredda Maddox, Chester County Sheriff. “We also care about the safety and education of children. A holiday initiative that contributes to both at a time when neighbors and non-profits need extra help was important to us, the women’s sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha alumni and the congregation of Unionville Presbyterian Church. So we collaborated on the project, ‘Safely Home.’”
The project, initiated as “Safely Home for the Holidays,” originally had scheduled a socially distanced send-off including Santa and Mrs. Claus the day before the Christmas holidays. In the interest of public health, however, the visit was rescheduled for the new year. Unable to return to Kennett Square on January 5, the Claus family sent well wishes as they rested at the North Pole after hectic holidays.
The Garage Community Youth Center in Kennett Square and Avon Grove serves students grades six through 12 who come to centers in Kennett Square and Avon Grove for homework assistance, Wifi for schoolwork and mid-day food. With an increase in costs of transportation associated with cleaning costs and precautions against COVID, the Garage seeks additional sponsorship of bus trips for 2021. To find out more about transportation sponsorship opportunities contact Kristin Proto at the Garage, at 610-444-6464, Kristin.proto@garageyouthcenter.org.
