Multitude of activities planned for MLK Day

CASD, CYI partner for annual service program at high school MLK Day of Service will feature activities for all ages ranging from exercise and dance classes to CASD students’ original speeches. Organizers from the Coatesville Area School District and the Coatesville Youth Initiative want residents to mark their calendars for Monday, Jan. 20: the Fourth Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. The...

From start to finish, ‘Shop with a Cop’ proves a blast

Collaborative, community-involved event draws rave reviews By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Coatesville Cpl. Jonathan Shave offers assistance to his shopper at the price-checker. Behind him, Det. Kevin Campbell waits for his turn. Throngs of unsuspecting customers grabbed parking spaces and shopping carts to brave the bustling crowd at Walmart on Saturday morning, oblivious to the...

Roundtable on poverty a start, but more is needed

Until there is a collective will to really address poverty, things won’t get better By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times COATESVILLE — With wealth bordering on abundance at times in Chester County, it can be difficult to confront the truth that for many here — arguably far too many — poverty remains a stark reality and a reality that in recent years has gotten worse. This past week, six state...

Area residents urged to support #GivingTuesday

Coatesville Youth Initiative hopes to draw attention from consumerism to nonprofits Dreading that post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping? The Brandywine Health Foundation and the Coatesville Youth Initiative (CYI) are suggesting a better option: participating in #GivingTuesday, a day devoted to giving back.  #GivingTuesday on Dec. 3 is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the...

Time to get ready for Festive 5K Run/Walk

Annual fund-raiser will precede Coatesville’s Christmas Parade Organizers of the Fourth Annual Festive 5K Run/Walk hope are urging participants to form teams and compete against each other. On your mark, get ready and get set: The Brandywine Health Foundation’s Fourth Annual Festive 5K Run or One-Mile Fun Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. For many area families, the event, which...

Health, education resources key in juvenile justice

Experts discuss ways to promote rehabilitation, avoid recidivism By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Rob Manriquez and Isaiah Heverly share their stories of being in the juvenile justice system. COATESVILLE – Especially in Pennsylvania, where more adults are serving life sentences for crimes committed as juveniles than in any other state, alternative punishments must be implemented to keep...

Public invited to community conversation on youth

Forum to feature attorney from Juvenile Law Center Lourdes M. Rosado will be one of the featured speakers at a youth symposium on Thursday. In celebration of National Youth Justice Awareness Month, area residents are invited to “A Community Conversation to Save our Children” on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Brandywine Center.  Hosted in partnership with the Coatesville Youth Initiative and Child...

At ServiceCorps, community growth is personal growth

39 Coatesville Youth Initiative students recognized for their service By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Sam Brown, winner of the Harry Lewis Scholarship, congratulates his fellow ServiceCorps members. COATESVILLE – Community improvement is a two-way street; deeds done by community members improve the world around them, and, in turn, the act of completing those deeds allows the individuals...

Events spotlight importance of city’s young people

Recycling, cleanup, and backpack drive bring Coatesville’s youth together By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times CYI members and Sgt. Rodger Ollis stand in front of tires collected during city cleanup. The CYI took the tires for recycling. COATESVILLE – Helping the community is not just about individual actions but creating a climate where everyone wants to improve his or her surroundings. This...

Defensive end lines up for student backpack drive

Derrick Morgan, a defensive end for the Tennessee Titans, is helping to provide Coatesville children with backpacks. Residents invited to donate supplies, recycle materials, and clean up city Coatesville residents will have an opportunity to get donations and make some on Saturday through two back-to-school drives, each from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Coatesville Memorial Community Center. In addition, multiple...