Preparing Our Scholars to Create Tomorrow's Solutions

Fearless, Focused, 2026

"The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable; but the power of many working together is unstoppable."

-Anonymous

MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Hello Friends, Partners and Supporters of Young Men and Women In Charge Foundation:

We begin 2026 fearless, focused, and always moving forward. Young Men and Women in Charge anticipates another promising year as we enter the second half of our Program Year, this is the time when Scholars really dig in and get busy. Seniors are well underway meeting college application deadlines. Also, there are many exciting events approaching, and we cordially invite each of you to join us as we highlight the accomplishments of our Scholars at the 15th Annual Science Expo in February, the 16th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet in May and the 2nd Annual Chef and Wine Gala in July.

January marked National Mentoring Month. We would like to thank our partners who volunteer their time mentoring our Scholars and are grateful for the profound impact this has on our organization. It takes a village, and we literally could not do it without you. To those not yet advocates of YMWIC, imagine the possibilities and what we can accomplish with your support. Lend support as a volunteer, through donations and/or in-kind services. With your partnership, we look forward to many more years of delivering high-quality programming for our Young Men and Women In Charge!

Richard Roberts, III

Executive Director

(610) 340-2844

rrobertsiii@ymwicfoundation.org

YMWIC MISSION:

To empower and prepare economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth to excel and become leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers through a structured and rigorous curriculum, academic tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance programs, accomplished by leveraging alliances with K-12 school districts, universities, corporations, and our committed partners.

YMWIC CORE VALUES:

We Believe we can significantly impact the future of our youth through education and extraordinary leadership.

We Value Commitment, Honor and Accountability and through these principles we are dedicated to the tradition of excellence in serving our youth, our partners and our community.

We Promote Engagement and Collaboration by treating all people with respect and sincerity to create an environment of openness where shared success can be achieved. 

We Demonstrate Quality by working efficiently and effectively to continuously improve our programs for the benefit of our Scholars.

YMWIC PROMO VIDEO

Thank you to our Generous Partners

We would like to thank advocates at Dow Chemical for their generous contribution to our organization. Your support helps us continue providing exceptional programs and services to our Scholars and their families. We could not make any of this possible without committed partners like you!

YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program - Enrolling Now!

YMWIC is now accepting applications for enrollment in our pre-apprenticeship program. The Pre-Apprenticeship program is designed for YMWIC Alumni and young adults aged 18-25. This is the ideal program for you if you hold a High School Diploma or GED and are seeking a hands-on pathway to employment in the trades or a non-degree area without pursuing a 4 year college path. You will get access to Cyber Security, Construction Management, Engineering Technician, Manufacturing, and Energy/Utilities programming. Participants are not required to be YMWIC Alumni. Complete our application here to join!

Featured Scholars

Chester Upland Chapter: Joreliz Colón attends Chester STEM Academy where she is in the 10th grade. Joreliz has gained a deeper appreciation for science by being involved in engaging hands-on experiments and other exciting activities during workshops. Joreliz's message for potential or younger YMWIC Scholars is, "YMWIC offers so many unique opportunities that can help you with your college journey. Take advantage of the Program, get your friends involved, and focus on your LDUs (Leadership Development Units)." Joreliz would like to study nursing or become a detective. She is considering attending New York University. She enjoys playing softball, spending time talking with her friends, and playing games. Congratulations, Joreliz. Continue doing well.

Coatesville Chapter: Heidi Potts is currently in the 11th grade at the Collegium Charter School in Exton, PA. She has been a member of the YMWIC Program for more than three years since joining in 8th grade. A true Scholar, Heidi is a highly-motivated honor student who enjoys challenging herself academically. Currently, she is taking five Advanced Placement courses and has taken eight AP courses throughout her high school career. Her focus on academic excellence has enabled her to graduate a semester early! Outside of her involvement with YMWIC, Heidi is also an active participant in many other school programs and activities. She is the Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and she serves as the President of Collegium's Debate Club. Most impressively, Heidi is on track to become the Valedictorian of her class next year! Read More.

Furness High School Chapter: William Dejesus Sandoval is a 10th grade Scholar at Furness High School in Philadelphia and a proud member of YMWIC. Now in his second year with the Program, William continues to take full advantage of the workshops, events, and chapter meetings offered through YMWIC. He values the opportunity to build friendships, explore new environments, and challenge himself to grow both academically and personally. Through YMWIC, William has strengthened key skills such as time management, organization and communication--qualities that have helped him stay on top of his responsibilities and prepare for upcoming opportunities. His commitment to learning is evident. He consistently earns high marks and is currently enrolled in English Honors, continuing to build a strong foundation for his future. Read More.

Franklin Edmonds Chapter: Ethan Crawford is a 7th grade Scholar at Franklin Edmonds in Philadelphia. He joined YMWIC this year; and so far, what he enjoys most about the Foundation is having fun with friends and meeting new people he would never have met. In his time with YMWIC, Ethan feels he has become more mature. When Ethan graduates from high school, he would like to go into the business world. He is hoping to attend Central High School. His advice to younger and/or new Scholars is, "Stay away from trouble, and pick good friends who can make you a better person." For those who don't know about YMWIC, Ethan would tell them, "It's a cool way to make new friends, and it will challenge you to be more disciplined with your schoolwork." Ethan is on the Honor Roll and has been featured as a Student of the Month. He enjoys playing with his friends during his free time, and he is a defensive tackle on his football team. Ethan, we enjoy watching your personal growth and development. Continue doing well.

Martin Luther King School Chapter: Shania Purvis is a 10th grade Scholar at Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia and joined YMWIC through our Summer Enrichment Program. Since becoming part of the Program, Shania has enjoyed participating in the annual college tours, spending time connecting with fellow Scholars, building relationships and exploring new experiences along the way. Shania has a strong passion for baking and hopes to pursue a future career as a baker. In her free time, she loves experimenting in the kitchen while listening to music, using creativity as her outlet. She is also an active participant in Debate, where she continues to build confidence while enhancing her leadership and communication skills. We're excited to continue supporting Shania as she explores her interests and works toward her goals!

Norristown Blockson Chapter: Angel Morales is an eighth grade Scholar at East Norriton Middle School and a proud member of the Young Men and Women in Charge (YMWIC) Foundation. Since joining the Program, Angel has grown more confident and developed strong leadership skills, especially through his involvement in Community Service activities. Angel has earned Honor Roll recognition six times and has received the Student of the Month Award eight times, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence. Outside of school, he enjoys playing soccer and going for walks. After high school, Angel plans to join the United States Marine Corps. He encourages new Scholars to join YMWIC, describing it as a great experience that helps students become leaders.

Norristown Eisenhower Chapter: Jannah McAfee is a proud YMWIC Eisenhower fourth grade Scholar from Hancock. She is already emerging as a focused leader and future entrepreneur. She joined YMWIC in third grade and loves learning how to be professional, meeting new people, and doing science experiments, all core parts of the Foundation's mission to develop young Scholars. Jannah says YMWIC has helped her stay focused in class and grow into a respectful young lady. She dreams of becoming a business owner with her own hair and nail salon after attending Cosmetology School. She encourages new and younger Scholars to join, calling it the best decision they can make; because they will grow personally and professionally, meet new people, and learn about so many exciting topics. Read More.

Upper Darby Chapter: Sunni Lee attends Hillcrest Elementary School where she is in the 5th grade. Sunni says YMWIC has helped her work towards different goals, meet like-minded students, and learn about new and interesting topics. Sunni's message to younger Scholars is, "Make sure you are actively involved and attend all workshops and Community Service events." In the future, Sunni plans to study math and art and wants to own her own bakery. In her free time, Sunni enjoys drawing pictures, painting, and reading. WIth joy, we've watched your growth as a YMWIC Scholar. Keep up the good work!

West Chester Chapter: Tisya Dinesh, an 11th grade Scholar at B. Reed Henderson High School, has been a member of YMWIC since the 6th grade. Over the years, Tisya has shown strong commitment, dedication, and a hardworking attitude toward the Foundation. She consistently puts effort into everything she does and is someone YMWIC can always count on. Tisya's friendly and charismatic personality adds to the positive environment of the Program and encourages younger Scholars to get involved and feel comfortable participating. Tisya is grateful for the opportunities provided by YMWIC. She shares, "Having Job Shadowing and Internship opportunities connecting me to professionals who can help me grow personally and professionally is both critical and enjoyable." Read More.

William Penn Chapter: Journey Leonard is a 10th grade student at Penn Wood High School. Journey joined YMWIC in 8th grade. When asked what she enjoys the most about the Foundation, Journey says, "Discovery and engagement--the opportunities given to try new things and explore more." The Foundation's biggest impact is making Journey think more about her future. She would like to be an Architect and is planning to attend Drexel University. Her advice to younger Scholars, "Turn everything in on time." Journey believes the staff and volunteers of YMWIC help Scholars create many bonds and connections as a young individual. She has received Distinguished Honor Roll every quarter for the past three years, and plays the piano and softball in her free time. Congratulations, Journey. We are proud of you and what you're accomplished.

YMWIC SIGs

YMWIC administers our weekly Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which focus on enabling Scholars to learn about activities beyond the regular workshops and STEM curriculum. Key SIGs for the month of February were: Robotics, Math Counts, Chess Club, and Choir. Read More.

Workshops



Norristown Blockson Chapter Hosts Engaging YMWIC Alumni Panel

The Norristown Blockson Chapter recently hosted a thoughtful and engaging YMWIC Alumni Panel Discussion featuring four of our accomplished alumni: Janis Bady, Joshua Coleman, Myla Massolena, and Matthew Wilford for Workshop #9. The event brought together current Scholars and Alumni for a meaningful exchange of experiences and insights. Our YMWIC Alumni shared their journeys beyond high school offering an honest look at college life, career development, and the challenges and successes they have encountered along the way. We extend our sincerest thanks to our Alumni for taking the time to return and share their perspectives with the next generation of YMWIC Scholars. We are proud of our Alumi and we look forward to hearing about their great achievements in the future. Read More.

Franklin Edmonds Chapter hosts Electronics Workshop

The Franklin Edmonds Chapter Scholars attended a workshop at Franklin Edmonds Elementary School and learned the fundamentals of electronics circuits. Scholars learned about current flow and voltage resistance capacity. These skills can be applied to controlling the speed of a motor and working with LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

College Corner

This time of year is busy, busy, busy for our senior Scholars at YWMIC. Seniors, below are reminders to help you through the end of the College Application season.


• Send mid-year reports to colleges and universities that require them
• Attend evening programs on financial aid for colleges
• Mail or electronically send any remaining applications and financial aid forms before winter break
• Complete the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service) if you have not done so already
• Compare the financial aid packages from the colleges and universities where you have been accepted, and notify the institutions of your decision by May 1, 2026.
• Maintain strong grades as your college acceptance is contingent upon finishing your high school classes with solid grades

Parent Spotlight

Kathia Julien, of the Blockson Chapter, joined YMWIC in Fall 2025 with a clear goal --providing her son, Khairi Josiah Julien, with a positive, structured environment rooted in leadership, discipline, cultural pride, and academic growth. Since joining, Khairi has shown increased confidence and maturity while enjoying SIG activities, volunteer opportunities, and meaningful connections with peers and mentors. As a family, they value YMWIC's strong commitment to mentorship, character development, and creating a safe, uplifting space for youth. Participating in service projects such as volunteering at Norriton Square Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been a rewarding and impactful experience. The Julien family encourages others to join YMWIC to be part of a supportive community that truly invests in a child's growth and future. We thank you for your commitment and support of YMWIC Scholars and our organization.

Community Service

As a way to demonstrate the importance of giving back to the community and having compassion for those in need, YMWIC offers opportunities for our Scholars to participate in Community Service events. Our Chapters have participated in the following:

Coatesville Chapter

The Coatesville Chapter had a great turn out for its Coatesville Community Service Project with the Chester County Food Bank! Our Scholars created these beautiful projects for our Senior Citizens throughout Chester County. Way to go, Coatesville Scholars!

MLK Chapter

On December 20th, the YMWIC MLK Chapter partnered with Simon's Rec Center to support their annual Breakfast with Santa community event. Our Scholars played an active role throughout the morning, assisting with event setup and breakdown, serving food to families, and helping ensure the event ran smoothly. Their presence helped create a warm, welcoming environment for community members and families attending the celebration. Read More.

Upcoming Events

The YMWIC 15th Annual Science Expo and Scholar Presentations will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Henderson High School, located at 400 Montgomery Avenue, West Chester, PA. The Exhibit hour is scheduled for 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. in the main gym, followed by the announcements of the competition winners. Join us to hear these future professionals present and defend their research projects. We invite you to a truly wonderful event to view incredible Science Projects and chat with our Scholars who have worked diligently identifying and researching topics, completing experiments, documenting their findings, and presenting their Science Projects.

At this highly anticipated event, our Scholars will present and defend the Science Projects they have worked so hard on in front of judges, their families, and community members. Each Science Project and presentation will be judged, and the winners will be honored at our 16th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel. You are cordially invited, at no cost, to view all of the Projects on display at the Expo and meet and speak with the Scholars about their Projects. Register for the event here.

YMWIC 16th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet

This year, YMWIC will host our 16th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet! This exciting event will be held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. During the Banquet, we showcase our Scholars for their achievements and reward our graduating senior Scholars with the college scholarships they have earned to attend the colleges of their choice. There will be a delicious dinner and an inspiring message from a dynamic Keynote Speaker.

We will also honor industry executives who are champions in supporting YMWIC and our communities with the following Awards:



• West Impact Award
• Educational Leadership Award for Secondary Education
• Educational Leadership Award for Post-Secondary Education
• Community Leadership Award

Join us as we celebrate our Scholars and Community Leaders and 16 years of hosting this evening of fellowship and fun!  Purchase your tickets or make your donations today!

Purchase tickets, advertisements, or make personal donations here.

Corporate partners: purchase tickets, advertisements, or make donations here.

YMWIC 2nd Annual Chef & Wine Gala

YMWIC will host its 2nd Annual Wine and Chef Gala on Thursday, July 30th, at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA. Come enjoy this event, which promises to be an elegant and memorable evening of exquisite cuisine, delightful pairings of carefully selected wines, and the joy of fine dining. We also invite you to be a Sponsor or Donor for the event, purchasing advertising for your organization in our Souvenir Program Booklet, or participate in our Silent Auction. All donations support the YMWIC Scholarship Fund.

To purchase tickets, personal ads, or make a personal donation, select this link. For Corporation sponsors and advertisements, select this link.

YMWIC 2025-2026 Program Year Key Dates & Volunteer Opportunities -- Mark your Calendar!

• September, 2025 – May, 2026: Workshops at partnering school districts and tutoring*
• January 19 - June 12, 2026: Pre-Apprenticeship Program*
• February 21, 2026: 15th Annual Science Expo and Scholar Presentations*
• March 18 – 22, 2026: NSBE 52nd National Conference in Baltimore, MD
• March 29 – April 3, 2026: Annual College Tour
• April – May, 2026: Job Shadowing Period*
• April 2026: Botball Robotics Team Competition in Washington, DC*
• May 21, 2026: 16th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet*
• June 15 – July 23, 2026: Summer Enrichment Programs (K–12)*
• July 30, 2026: 2nd Annual Chef and Wine Gala
• June – August 2026: Summer Jobs & Internships for 12th grade Scholars and Alumni*
• September 14, 2026: 12th Annual Scholarship and STEM Golf Classic* 
  

*These are wonderful volunteer opportunities for Partner Employee Involvement.

YMWIC is Looking for Volunteers

YMWIC is looking for tutors to support our local chapters for elementary and secondary education in math, ELA and Science. 

YMWIC is also looking for volunteers to support our Science Projects during the September – February timeframe.

Additional volunteer opportunities include Event Committee participation with the Scholarship and Golf Classic, Scholarship Banquet, and Science Expo.

If you are interested in applying for a volunteer opportunity, please select this link, and we will contact you immediately. All volunteers must have the required clearances: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance, which is required for all employees and some volunteers.

Stay Connected with our YMWIC Family

Want to keep up with our amazing YMWIC Scholars? We’ve got you covered! Follow us on Instagram and Meta (formerly Facebook) to stay in the loop on all the fun, learning, and exciting updates happening in our programs.

It’s super easy to join in! Just open your Instagram or Meta (Facebook) app, search for YMWICScholars, and hit that Follow button when you see our logo. Don’t be shy—drop a comment and say hi! 👋

We can’t wait to see you join our social media family and experience all the awesome things happening at YMWIC. Let’s have some fun together!

📲 Click HERE to follow us on Meta (Facebook)! 📸 Click HERE to catch us on Instagram!

Donating to YMWIC

Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC): YMWIC Foundation, Inc., is eligible to receive funds from the EITC Program which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. We thank those businesses that donate their EITC funding to YMWIC Foundation and encourage others to consider directing funding to our impactful community nonprofit that provides college and career preparation for K-16 students; empowers their families; counseling, financial support and internships for YMWIC college alumni; and enriches our communities through Community Service activities, increasing the number of college graduates, and developing a talented and skilled workforce. Please contact Rick Roberts at (610) 340-2844 if you would like to consider our YMWIC Foundation, Inc., as the recipient of your company's EITC funds.

Thank You for your Generous Support