Thursday, August 29, 2013

Chester Upland Soccer for Success Program looking for Coaching Aid



Widener University, a metropolitan doctoral-intensive university, located in Chester, PA, is implementing an innovative after-school youth development program, Soccer for Success that uses soccer as a tool to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles for boys and girls in urban communities. The aim is to improve the health of our participants in an environment that is both safe and encouraging. 

Widener University’s Office of Athletics is currently seeking candidates for the following positions: 

Coaching Aid
The Coaching Aid will supplement the daily activities under the direction of the Site Director, Program Assistant, Head Coach and Assistant Coach. 

This is a volunteer position that encourages the involvement of students, parents and the community in making the Program a success. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, possess a High School Diploma or equivalency, a passion for learning to provide instruction to adolescents and a valid driver’s license. Preference will be given to those who have experience in youth sports and/or prior experience in playing and/or coaching soccer. 

Becoming a Soccer Coaching Aid is a great way to gain the experience necessary to become an Assistant Coach or Head Coach. 

How to Apply
Interested, qualified applicants must provide a cover letter/letter of interest detailing your interest in the Program as well as resume including the complete contact information for three personal and/or professional references. Packets can be mailed directly to the Office of Athletics at Widener University, Attention Brent Jacquette, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 or sent via email to bjjacquette@widener.edu. If sending via email, please list Chester Upland Soccer for Success in the subject line.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech

Fifty years ago this Wednesday, on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now famous I Have a Dream speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Some progress has been made over the past 50 years but more needs to be done to realize the dream. Thanks Martin Luther King, Jr. and all the Civil Rights pioneers who have brought us this far.  

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Delaware County Literacy Council is calling for Champions of Adult Literacy



Do you know a Champion of Adult Literacy? Nominate a Local Hero Today

Champions are all around us! The Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) is calling for help in identifying Champions of Adult Literacy.

This fall DCLC will host the first-ever Champions of Adult Literacy Awards Reception and Fundraiser. The event will honor local leaders who have helped adults make progress towards one of DCLC’s Core Goals for its adult learners: entering the workforce, becoming a U.S. Citizen, and enrolling in trade school or college.

DCLC is currently calling for nominations for champions in each of these three areas.

A “workforce champion” might be an employer who opens the door to people without a high school diploma and then encourages them to go back to school. The champion might provide support and/or training to help displaced workers become job-ready.

A “citizenship champion” might be a professional or key member of an organization who helps new immigrants get the information, support, and language skills they need to navigate their way to U.S. Citizenship.

An “education champion” might be a teacher, counselor, or leader of an organization who provides information, support, or motivation for adult students to get their GED and move on to learn a trade or go to college. The champion might provide support for nontraditional learners while in a trade school or college.

On November 14, 2013, DCLC will host a reception and fundraising event at Harrah’s Casino in Chester to honor these champions. Help us celebrate our local adult literacy advocates who encourage adults to live better lives through improved literacy. Nominate someone to be a Champion of Adult Literacy in any of the categories above by going to www.delcoliteracy.org for the Nomination Form or by calling 610-876-5411 for more information. Deadline to receive nominations is Wednesday, September 18, 2013.

DCLC provides free individual and small-group literacy instruction to Delaware County adults who wish to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. A countywide network of volunteer tutors ensures that services are free. The next free tutor training sessions will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings, September 9, 11, 16, and 18, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at DCLC, 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA. Pre-registration and attendance at all sessions are required. To learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor, visit www.delcoliteracy.org or call 610-876-4811.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Crozer Library's 50th Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington


Watch the Video Here 
50th Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington
J. Lewis Crozer Library Community Room
Wednesday, August 28th
6—7:30 p.m.
Screening of local film featuring Chester community members reading the “I Have a Dream” speech

Shared Memories from those who attended the March in 1963

CBS 3’s Dray Clark will moderate

This event is free. Light refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome. (Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the library.)

620 Engle Street, Chester, PA 19013   |   (610) 494-3454   |   www.crozerlibrary.org

Saturday, August 24, 2013

MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS



***MEDIA AND EVENT ADVISORY***

PENNSYLVANIA MAYORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND LOCAL ADVOCATES TO GATHER IN CHESTER TO URGE PHILADELPHIA-AREA CONGRESSMEN TO SUPPORT COMMON-SENSE BACKGROUND CHECK LEGISLATION

Participants To Thank Reps. Meehan and Brady for Standing With Majority of Pennsylvanians Who Support Gun Background Checks, Urge Reps. Dent and Gerlach to Follow Their Lead

Event is Part of “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” Bus Tour;

    On Monday, August 26th, Mayors John Linder of Chester and Richard Lowe of Swarthmore, Chester Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr., Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, and local advocates will gather in Chester as part of the “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” – a 25-state national bus tour over a period of 100 days aimed at urging America’s leaders to support common-sense gun policies. Participants will come together Monday to voice their continued support for comprehensive and enforceable background checks, and they will urge Philadelphia-area U.S. House members to back this tough-on-crime measure by co-sponsoring bipartisan background checks legislation in Congress.

The event is being organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan coalition of more than 1,000 mayors and 1.5 million grassroots supporters nationwide – including more than 200 member mayors and 106,000 grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania.

This past April, Senator Pat Toomey stood with nearly 90 percent of Pennsylvanians when he co-sponsored bipartisan background checks legislation with fellow NRA A-rated Senator Joe Manchin that would have helped keep firearms out of the wrong hands by extending background checks to cover private gun sales in commercial settings. Senator Casey, too, demonstrated leadership on this issue when he joined a majority of senators in voting in favor of the bill. It failed, however, after it was blocked by a minority of senators. Corresponding legislation in the U.S. House, sponsored by Congressmen Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), currently has more than 180 co-sponsors, including Congressmen Bob Brady (D-PA) and Pat Meehan (R-PA). But Southeast Pennsylvania Congressmen Jim Gerlach and Charles Dent have not yet signed onto the bill.

Every day, 33 Americans are murdered with guns in this country. “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence” is part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ ongoing, national effort to continue raising awareness to the issue of gun violence in America – and most importantly, to urge elected officials to prioritize the safety of the people they represent.

What: Event to urge Philadelphia-area U.S. House members to support bipartisan background checks legislation in Congress

Who: Mayor John Linder of Chester, member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns
        - Mayor Richard Lowe of Swarthmore, member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns
        - Chester Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr.
        - Representative Thaddeus Kirkland
        - Beverly Wright, President of Women of Strength

Where: City Hall
        1 Fourth Street
        Chester, Pennsylvania 19013

When: Monday, August 26th at 11 a.m. ET: Press Conference

About Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Since its creation in April 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown from 15 members to more than 1,000 mayors from across the country. We have more than 1.5 million grassroots supporters – including more than 106,000 in Pennsylvania – making us the largest gun violence prevention advocacy organization in the country. The bipartisan coalition, co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, has united the nation’s mayors around these common goals: protecting communities by holding gun offenders accountable; demanding access to crime gun trace data that is critical to law enforcement efforts to combat gun trafficking; and working with legislators to fix weaknesses and loopholes in the law that make it far too easy for criminals and other dangerous people to get guns. Learn more at www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org