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ABOUT

Coatesville Kids to College is a faith-based initiative that provides academic, emotional and spiritual empowerment to children and youth in Coatesville from pre-K to college.

 

Our goal is to create a beginning-to-end pipeline that offers programming for children and youth at every level of their development so they can progress successfully through school and eventually graduate from college. 

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Currently, CKC runs a full-day preschool, daily after-school programs for children in grades K through 8th grade, and full-day summer camps for preschool and elementary school children. 

 

Our preschool is only $60 a month for families living below the economic poverty line, and our after-school and summer programs are fully funded by donations.

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WHY?

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Chester County is one of the fastest-growing and affluent areas in the country. These Philadelphia suburbs have experienced explosive growth and success for businesses and families over the last forty years. 

 

Just past the last stop of SEPTA’s Paoli-Thorndale line, Coatesville represents
a different environment than their neighboring communities. 

 

Once a thriving steel city, the closure of Lukens Steel Company created an
economic void and financial challenges for some businesses and families
in the shadows of the refineries.

 

For them, opportunities to advance and succeed are much more difficult. 

 

But they are possible. 

 

Our hearts beat with a passion for the amazing kids of Coatesville. We’re committed to building bridges and forging paths over and around the inherent challenges that they face. 

 

Because we know that every child comes jam-packed with tremendous potential. 

 

To create. To innovate. To build and explore.

 

To love, and hope, and connect and grow and make a positive impact on the world. 

Thanks to donations, Coatesville Kids to College Provides Low and No-Cost Opportunities Like: 

Pre-school

After-school care

1:1 Tutoring

Enrichment activities (Art, Music, Engineering, Cooking, Dance, Science, Chess, and more)

Educational field trips

Summer Camp

OUR BACKGROUND

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Coatesville is a community that has a 40% poverty rate, and more than half of the students living below the poverty line are below grade level in reading and math by the 3rd grade.  

 

Seven years ago God gave founder and executive director Keith Wilburn the vision and the call to create a pipeline of promise from pre-K to college that would provide these students with the academic,  emotional & spiritual support and resources needed in order to be successful.

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Seven years ago Coatesville Kids to College started with six children in a half-day preschool, and since that time God has blessed us to develop into a full-day preschool with two classrooms, multiple after-school programs, and two full-day summer programs serving over 100 children and youth and their families each year. 

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL STAFF

Patty Wiehler

Patty Wiehler

Director

Francisca Hernandez

Francisca Hernandez

Assistant Teacher

3-4 year olds

Beth Lambert

Beth Lambert

Lead Teacher

3-4 year olds

Ashley Wilburn

Ashley Wilburn

Assistant Teacher

4-5 year olds

Isabel Astudillo

Isabel Astudillo

Lead Teacher

4-5 year olds

I-RISE AFTER-SCHOOL STAFF

Ava King

Ava King

Director

Daphne Gilliam

Daphne Gilliam

Manager

6-8 grade program

Jessica Morton

Jessica Morton

Manager

K-2nd grade program

Phyllis LaDrew

Phyllis LaDrew

Education Specialist

Aja Thompson

Aja Thompson

Asst. Director/Manager

3-5 grade program

LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

Keith Wilburn

Keith Wilburn

Founder, Executive Director

Christine Hansel

Christine Hansel

Office Manager

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