ServiceCorps
June 19th – August 18th
8-week program M-F from 8 am – 4 pm
The program is open to 14–18 year-olds who live within the boundaries of the Coatesville Area School District.
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The Coatesville Youth Initiative’s ServiceCorps program was created to provide a positive summer activity for Coatesville teens while also giving participants a dynamic experience in which they learn the importance of community engagement, develop leadership capabilities, grow as young adults, and gain work experience. CYI works with organizations in and around Coatesville to provide participants with unique opportunities for serving Coatesville and dipping a toe into the work force.
What Makes ServiceCorps Special?
We partner with numerous organizations to serve as host sites (work sites):
A minimum of two participants work at a host site. The sites get participants involved in their community and help participants learn about responsibility, accountability, workforce development, and more. Some of our long-standing and returning host sites are Regency Park Apartments’ Better Tomorrows Program, Coatesville Kids to College Summer Camp, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, and more!
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CYI provides transportation to and from host sites:
In an effort to make this program as accessible as possible, CYI provides bussing from CYI offices to participant’s host sites and back to CYI offices at the end of the day. We also provide breakfast Monday through Friday and lunch on Fridays.
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Participants are encouraged to take on leadership roles:
One of the most important parts of this program is our Service Project. Participants identify a need in our community, make a plan to address the need, and implement their plan. Participants have successfully planned projects such as a community clean-up, food drive, etc.
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Every Friday participants take part in a “resource day":
Staff bring in speakers to communicate with youth on a range of topics that youth have shared are important to them. Topics include financial literacy, entrepreneurship, mental health, underage substance use prevention, public speaking, healthy relationships, and more. These days are also an opportunity for participants to engage in team building and make new friends.
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We balance hard work with fun activities!
ServiceCorps balances the hours of a full-time job with opportunities for teens to move around and have fun. We build into the program active teambuilding games and a mid-year event to keep participants engaged and provide social opportunities.
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We recognize our participants!
ServiceCorps ends with a graduation ceremony for the participants. We invite families, host sites, sponsors, and staff to take this time to celebrate and recognize the participants' accomplishments and the good times we had together over the summer. Participants share pictures, personal growth stories, reflections on the summer, and their experiences as a ServiceCorps participants.
Application
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All applicants are required to submit one reference as a part of their application.
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Reference forms to send to your reference will also be available on February 6th.
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References may NOT be a family member or a friend. Teachers, coaches, afterschool staff, faith-based leaders and others may all qualify as a reference.
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All youth who would like to participate in ServiceCorps must apply and submit a reference.
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The program is limited to 40 youth.
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If you have any questions about your application, please contact contact Gibryl Livingston for more information: gibryl@coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org; 610.380.0200 ext. 204.
ServiceCorps Staff
ServiceCorps is an all-hands-on-deck program and all of CYI staff gets involved! Two CYI staff members are dedicated to running the program and will work with participants every day getting breakfast to participants, hyping participants up for the day ahead, leading participants through resource days, hearing about participants’ days when they arrive back at CYI at the end of the workday, and visiting participants at their host sites.
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These staff members have experience working with teens and all CYI staff have full background checks and clearances to work with minors.
Contribute to ServiceCorps
ServiceCorps is 100% free for students/participants. 100% of the funds for the program are provided though generous donors, like yourself, who believe in the importance of providing youth with life and leadership-enhancing opportunities.
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If you would like to donate to this amazing program, please mail your donation to Coatesville Youth Initiative, attn: ServiceCorps; or, make a fast and secure, online payment by clicking the “Donate Now” button below.