January Meeting Notes:
Jamar Daniels of Amachi welcomed everyone, and recapped our purpose and highlights of past meetings and the needs expressed in December by sports organizers who provide significant levels of mentorship in the community. He encouraged intentional and specific offers in the break-out rooms so that we can truly help each other. He and colleague Clay also provided the link for anyone interested in becoming a mentor through Amachi.
Mentor Application Link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5948933/Volunteer-Mentor-Application
Heather Finnegan of The Community’s Foundation presented two support opportunities
TCF's City of Chester Grants:
Deadline: Feb 26th
TCF's Dora and John Brown Scholarship:
Deadline: Feb 19th
She can be reached at Heather Finnegan <Heather@TCFhelps.org> with questions.
Ola Solanke (Sew-lan-kay), an insurance executive and Francisville supporter, shared his inspiration for recently buying a 48,000 square foot property (warehouses and other space) at the Chester waterfront near the stadium. A brewery currently rents some of the space and there are plans for tech start-ups, rentatable smart kitchens for caterers, art galleries, restaurant, nightclub and other desirable tenants in live arts and entertainment. Ola plans to create at least nine signature events (jazz, art, etc using a stage to be built in a cul-de-sac in front of the property) to coincide with events at the stadium, to be announced by this time in 2022. He also intends to make space available for non-profits to conduct fundraising events. You can reach Ola at oosolanke@yahoo.com
Ola identified that Chester has challenges but also has a unique opportunity to engage our youth and adults in letter-writing to the Biden-Harris administration and local officials, sharing their life experience and what they’d like changed in their community. This can be an annual campaign. He acknowledged that some families won’t have the supplies, but maybe the local stores could hang a poster that encourages folks to pick up supplies at their establishment. Maybe volunteer groups could help put letters into stamped envelopes and send them. We could get copies of the letters to make a photo gallery and have a record of what was shared. He is hoping we can run the campaign in April, when the spring weather brings new growth and a sentiment of renewal, and to contain it with an exciting promotion to get it done in that one month.
Carol Kazeem explained that it is important to explain who our representatives are, and what their roles and duties are. She has been helping people understand our officials and who can be the best target for their requests, and how to make the change with them. She would be happy to help share that education as part of the letter-writing campaign and can be reached at carolkazeem@gmail.com
In breakout room #1, the group discussed how they could support the letter-writing campaign and also noted:
- April 24: Carol Kazeem is helping to organize a statewide coalition in Chester. Contact her at carolkazeem@gmail.com for more information.
- Hilda Campbell is looking for space for her new program, and connected with Ola about it. To suggest additional ideas and to learn more, reach her at shesawdust@comcast.net
In breakout room #2, representatives of the Chester Panthers, Domestic Abuse Project, Andrew L Hicks Foundation and Chester Upland Youth Soccer all expressed enthusiasm for building the letter-writing into spring programming to engage kids on our time. Paul Stinson, the Bryn Mawr soccer coach, offered up his team members and the ability to recruit other college students to help serve as one-on-one mentors and scribes for the children as they share their stories. CHIP Benefits Advisor Tina Jackson of Health Partners Plans offered her photography skills to help visually document the stories and opportunities. She also clarified that CHIP Benefits are still available for middle and low income families, and encourages all to reach out to her at TLJackson@hpplans.com to learn more about services.