November Meeting Highlights:
Dr. Jala Olds-Pearson of Chester Upland School District sees great value in us working as a collective group on behalf of the children.
Reverend Zuline Wilkinson of Chester Eastside has past experience that a collaboration like ours can generate a lasting and effective entity that, working together to address specific issues, may become eligible for bigger picture funding and other developments.
Alexandra Garney of Widener shared information on a number of programs through which the Widener community can help Chester organizations and students. Details at https://serve.widener.edu/about_organizations
Oliver Steinglass of Chester Upland Youth Soccer alerted participants to free professional services being donated to non-profits by a new organization of young college graduates known as Change Agents. Details at https://www.changeagentsconsulting.org/
Dr. Lisa Dennis of the City of Chester’s Office of Community Liasions reminded us that the faith community helps children grow into productive adults, and noted that there are 100 registered spiritual places in Chester.
Major Katrina Blackwell of the Chester Police Department emphasized that the police want to shift their relationships with the young people of Chester, and would welcome the opportunity to share information and resources about activities that can help keep the kids productively occupied. They would also welcome the opportunity to hand out balls and other engaging items.
The group discussed the possibility of compiling a flyer that churches, police and schools can hand out, and a poster that can be hung on telephone poles and in store windows, listing worthwhile activities for young people. Entries can be submitted to jeannine@chesteruplandyouthsoccer.org
Akosua Watts of Chester Charter Scholars Academy recommended that we engage student leaders as ambassadors to disseminate information via social media and other channels, using their voices and leadership to inspire youth. Each agreed to think about the students we work with to engage them in spreading the word about opportunities.