Another Great Day in the City

Today I was lucky enough to take part in another great day in the City of Chester. Yes, I said another great day. For the children of Chester, this day will prove to be great; in time.

Last month, I was there for the opening and dedication of the First Tee of Suburban Philadelphia’s Eyre Park Learning Center (located in the parking lot adjacent from Chester High School) wherein the youth of the city will learn life skills through the game of golf. www.thefirsttee.org  There are four public elementary schools in the Chester Upland School District and the Phys. Ed. Programs will be incorporating golf and the First Tee Program into the curriculum.

Today, on a beautiful and sunny day I was there to see the dream of Mr. Carter, Mayor Wendell Butler, both native to Chester and a whole slew of other hard working and caring peoples’ dream come true with the opening of the new Boys’ and Girls’ club on East 7^th Street. As Mayor Butler said, “he was as proud as a peacock” (As he should be) and so were the many other folks that supported this project for so many years. A special shout-out to the Chester Water Authority and their unwavering and continued support of the Chester Boys’ and Girls’ club is warranted as well.

The building is beautiful and has a great gym (Basketball) floor. The learning center and the shelves full of books and learning materials for the academic programs were just as beautiful. I saw a pool table, a weight lifting area, sofas and chairs that the boys and girls of Chester will be able to use while staying safe and learning life skills that will surely improve their future. Improving the future of Chester City’s children is the motivation for Mayor Butlers’ getting out of bed each day. He feels like a proud father today and knows that many more of “his” children will be affected in a positive manner when they walk through the doors of the George C. Carter Recreation Center.

I often hear people say well, what can I do about the problems of the city (which are no different from any other city) and if I could help, I would but… Well, if you really want to help; I can tell you at least one way that you can help and be assured that at least one child will be affected by your generosity. The membership fee to join the Boys’ and Girls’ club is $30.00 a year.

 I equate helping youth in any area to voting. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the leadership. If you don’t get involved in some way to improve the life of children, or solve a problem, you can’t complain about that either. So, if you want to get involved; sponsor a child’s membership for one year. That is what I plan to do. It will cost you $30.00 and you will know in your heart that you were part of the solution for the future of Chester’s youth. www.chesterboysandgirlsclub.com If the economy has you unable to sponsor a membership, get in touch with Larry Yarbray, Executive Director and ask how you might be able to participate in the various mentoring and academic programs offered at the Chester Boys’ and Girls’ club. Larry is looking for a few good mentors, teachers and community leaders to get involved.

Through no small effort, Chester City can now offer soccer, golf, basketball and more opportunities for their kids to learn different skills than their parents were offered, and that is what the revitalization is all about. 

So, here is what I know and some of what I learned. The new facility for the Boys’ and Girls’ club in the City of Chester is beautiful. Children will have their lives changed because they belonged to the Boys’ and Girls’ club. Just ask Mr. Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, and Jennifer Lopez, they all belonged to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club when they were children. I learned that 80% of the children in Chester are raised in single parent households and when there are strong programs and mentors to support those parents, the children thrive. When it comes to helping children succeed, any effort put forth is never a waste.

Until my next post, Go Native.

Diane Holefelder