“An individual can make a difference, but a team can make a miracle.”

We would like to thank the Justamere Foundation for grants in support of the YMWIC Career Readiness Program, YMWIC Internship Program and the YMWIC College Scholarship Program. We appreciate Justamere’s continuous support.

Thank you to West for their support of the YMWIC 10th Annual Scholarship & STEM Golf Classic planned for August 21, 2023 at Penn Oaks Golf Club. Again, we thank West for their valued support.

The Alliance for Health Equity has provided a grant in support of the YMWIC After-School and Summer Enrichment Programs in Coatesville. We thank you for your continued support.

YMWIC appreciates the WSFS Bank EITC (Education Improvement Tax Credit) contribution and your continuous support of the YMWIC After-School Programs.

We are excited to share our new website and are proud to announce its launch. It is visually stunning, optimized for mobile, and easily navigated drawing you into a wealth of relevant content about the Foundation, our Scholars, becoming a Member, the success of our Alumni Scholars, and how you can get involved with YMWIC by becoming a Sponsor, Donor, or Volunteer.

Working in conjunction with website developers at SearchActions, our Marketing Team guided them through this months-long endeavor. We are sure you will enjoy rediscovering YMWIC by browsing our website and invite you to get involved or join as a Scholar. You can visit our website by selecting this link: ymwicfoundation.org.

On Monday, April 3rd, with an air of excitement, a group of 41 Scholars, Parent Chaperones, and Mr. Roberts set off on a tri-state tour to visit some of the top universities in the country. The colleges visited included Columbia University in New York; Harvard University and Boston College in Massachusetts; and Yale University, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Hartford in Connecticut. All of the colleges visited offer a wide variety of options for Scholars who want to major in the Arts as well as a STEM field (STEAM).

A seat on the College Tour bus was offered to Scholars in 9th, 10th and 11th grades who have met the requirements of their YMWIC membership this Program Year. These Scholars took detailed notes throughout the Tour and asked specific and insightful questions on what the different colleges had to offer in terms of majors, the environment of the college, admissions rates, etc. Read more.

Scholars from the Upper Darby, Chester Upland, Coatesville, West Chester, and William Penn Chapters attended a College Fair held at Neumann University. They were able to engage with up to 70 colleges from across the country. Each college had an interactive table where Scholars could ask questions and learn more about what each university had to offer. Our Scholars also had the pleasure of meeting the President of Neumann University, Dr. Chris Domes. In addition, they were able to collaborate with fellow Scholars from other Chapters and discuss what they learned from the school representatives they met with and what interested them. It was a great evening of camaraderie and informational conversations.

Mr. Roberts received a personal invitation from former State Senator Andrew E. Dinniman to attend a ceremony that took place at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) on April 22, 2023. The emcee of the event was Dr. Zebulun R. Davenport, Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at WCU and YMWIC Advisory Team member.

The purpose of the ceremony was to unveil and dedicate a popular campus corridor in Senator Dinniman's honor and rename it Diversity Walk. WCU President, Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, and other members of the University were present, along with legislative leaders, community guests, staff and students, to honor Senator Dinniman and applaud his work to promote equity and diversity and unite all people in Pennsylvania communities.

On Saturday, April 15th, the 11th Annual Chester County Single Mothers' Building Momentum Conference took place. As a vendor, we were able to meet and converse with single mothers with children in the Coatesville Area School District and surrounding school districts. It was an afternoon of meeting, greeting, and providing information, during which we had the opportunity to address the mothers' questions and concerns and introduce them to the YMWIC Programs that can benefit their children and families.

Half of the Coatesville Chapter Scholars participated in a Community Service event at LaMancha Farms. They fed goats and chickens while the LaMancha volunteer worker, Maria, spoke to them about the animals’ behavior and characteristics. The Scholars and their Parents had the opportunity to tour the entire farm. They viewed the cat sanctuary, horse stalls, and pig huts. The Scholars' favorite part of the trip was visiting the dog kennels, particularly the new puppies. They were able to play with, pet and walk the new puppies. They loved the puppies so much that a few of our Scholars and parents started the application process to adopt one. The remaining half of the Coatesville Scholars will visit LaMancha to have their turn at this event on Saturday, April 15. It was an exciting event for all attendees!

Norristown Scholars completed their fourth Community Service event at the Cecil Grace Bean Soup Kitchen, an organization that serves over 500 meals a week. Read more.

YMWIC expects and celebrates academic excellence. We congratulate our Scholars who earned Honor Roll status for the third marking period (or second trimester).

Scholar Deanna Truxler, a junior in our Coatesville Chapter, was recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. She is studying Health Career Pathways and is on track to receive a Medical Assistant Certificate.

We are so proud of you, keep up the amazing work Deanna!

Coatesville Chapter: Xzavien (Zai) Burnett, our featured Coatesville Scholar this month, is in the 3rd grade at Avon Grove Charter School. Xzavien joined YMWIC this program year and most enjoys working on exciting, hands-on projects with other Scholars during workshops and also his project for the Science Expo. He appreciates how Foundation staff really cares about and helps him. He encourages his peers to join YMWIC, because they will learn so much while having fun!

One day after graduating from college, Xzavien would like to be an NFL player. He enjoys playing basketball, talking with his friends, and playing on his PlayStation.

We welcome you to YMWIC, Xzavien.

Norristown Chapter: Jerelyn Munoz Silva, who joined YMWIC this Program Year, attends Stewart Middle School where she is in the 7th grade. When we asked her what she likes most about being a member, she said, “First, I appreciate the Program for taking the time to see the best future for youngsters. I am happy, because YMWIC is giving me opportunities to learn so many new things; and the truth is, I find everything interesting and exciting!”

Jerelyn joined Mr. Roberts and other Scholars on their trip to the National Society of Black Engineers Convention in Kansas City last month. She could barely contain her excitement after returning from the trip, saying, “What I loved about attending the NSBE Convention in Kansas City is the realization that there is no limit to learning new things; and while YMWIC is providing the opportunities, I will give it my all to go far to meet and try to solve many of the challenges in the whole world!” Read more.

Phoenixville Chapter: Addilyn (Addi) Smith is a 5th grade student at Manavon Elementary School who joined YMWIC this Program Year. She most enjoys the cool science experiments she gets to take part in during the workshops and especially enjoyed completing her experiment for the Science Expo. Addi believes participating in Foundation activities has enabled her to become more creative, which will definitely help in her pursuit to become an author, artist, and designer in the future. She envisions herself attending Harvard University or Drexel University.

Addie uses the words fun, experimenting, happy, challenging, and creative to describe her experiences as a member of YMWIC and would like to see her peers experience those same feelings by joining the Foundation. She plays the viola and trumpet and was selected to play in the String Fest at her school this year. Addie enjoys reading, writing, and drawing in her free time.

We welcome you, Addie, and hope to continue supporting and developing your creativity!

Upper Darby Chapter: Massielly Sherif is a senior at Upper Darby High School where she has achieved Distinguished Honor Roll Status for the 1st and 2nd Marking Periods. She joined YMWIC this year and says, “I love that the Program feels like a community; they are so helpful and passionate about seeing all Scholars succeed.” Her advice to younger or new YMWIC Scholars is not to limit themselves, adding, “This world is your oyster, and this Program can help guide you toward what you want to do.”

Massielly would tell students who don’t yet know what the Foundation has to offer, “YMWIC is a STEM-based program dedicated to your success--personally, academically, and in your future career.” I would strongly encourage each of them to join.

Thank you, Massielly. Our Scholars’ testimonies are our best recruitment tools.

West Chester Chapter: Third grader, Savannah Freeman, joined YMWIC this year. She is an enthusiastic and engaged Scholar who attends Sarah Starkweather Elementary School. Savannah has most enjoyed learning and reciting the YMWIC Scholar Credo since becoming a member. She would encourage her friends to join because they will learn so much about interesting topics from experiments during workshops and have fun!

Savannah is a dancer and enjoys watching TV shows with her family.

We are happy to have you as a YMWIC Scholar, Savannah, and look forward to supporting you in your growth and participation in all learning activities.

William Penn Chapter: Bryce Burwell is a 5th grade student at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School. This is Bryce’s first year as a YMWIC Scholar. Bryce is attentive and committed to doing his best. He says that being a part of YMWIC has helped him focus more on his grades and studying. He loves the workshops attended and exciting activities Scholars get to do. Being a pediatric surgeon or a movie director are two career choices Bryce would like to explore.

Bryce explains that YMWIC offers so much to members, and he encourages all Scholars to take advantage of everything provided. Scholars should work hard on their science projects and try to do their best with everything required. In his free time, Bryce loves basketball and soccer and playing video games.

Bryce says he is happy to be a part of this group; and, Bryce, we are happy to have you!

The West Chester, Coatesville, and Phoenixville Chapter Scholars were invited to West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) for a science-based workshop. To ensure a deeper understanding and engagement, Scholars were first split up into their Scholar age groups before participating in Physics, Biology, and Psychology lessons and activities facilitated by WCU staff. The consensus from Scholars was overwhelming approval of each learning experience!

Workshop 14 was repeated over three days on April 12, 13, and 14 at YMWIC Headquarters for all Chapters. Heather Kabala, Dean of Admission, and Andre Dixon from Admission and Recruiting at Saint Vincent College (SVC), delivered a presentation to our Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn Scholars and their parents. Both facilitators explained the merits and substantial benefits our Scholars will have access to if they choose to attend Saint Vincent College. Read more.

by Dayanis Morales-Salgado – Norristown Chapter

I started out both hungry and tired the first day of the College Tour after a bus ride to Connecticut with 41 of my fellow YMWIC Scholars. With sleepy and worn-out faces, our first visits were to Yale University followed by Columbia University. Comparing the two, each college has its similarities and differences; nevertheless, they are both great colleges which offer many opportunities and resources in order to help individuals achieve their goals.

Despite the fact that both colleges are exceptional, between Yale and Columbia, my favorite one is Yale University. There are several reasons why I liked Yale more than Columbia. First, arriving at Yale, you immediately notice the peacefulness of the campus as well as their high maintenance of the environment. Read more.

In this final installment of the College Prep Series, Dr. Koreem Bell, School Counselor in the Lower Merion School District at Harriton High School; Adjunct Professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and recipient of the 2022 YMWIC Community Leadership Award, outlines the steps YMWIC Scholars who are in middle school should be taking for their future college application.

We know it is never too early for families to begin preparing for their children to attend college in the future. Our Scholars' experiences, both in school and within YMWIC, prepare them for success in getting accepted by, paying for, and being excellent students at the colleges they choose to attend.

Diana Morales Viveros, a 2022 YMWIC graduate, has proudly informed us that she was named to the Dean's List at the University of Hartford for the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. She was commended in a letter from Pennsylvania State Senator, John I. Kane, who recognized her achievement.

We are so proud of you, Diana! Keep up the great work!

This year, YMWIC will host our 13th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet. This exciting event will be held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA, on Thursday, May 25, 2023. During the Banquet, we showcase our Scholars for their achievements, reward our graduating senior Scholars with the college scholarships they have earned to attend the colleges of their choice and recognize service leaders who have made significant contributions to our communities. Attendees will enjoy a delicious dinner and a poignant message from our Keynote Speaker, Alumna Dulce Juarez Barrera (pictured above left).

We will honor the industry executives who are champions in supporting YMWIC and our communities with the following Awards (pictured at right, top to bottom):

Join us as we celebrate our Scholars, Community Leaders and enjoy an evening of fellowship and fun! To register to be a part of this amazing event or to make a donation, please use this link.

The YMWIC 2023 STEAM & Language Arts Camp is an exciting, educational, and fun-filled six-week experience for rising 1st through 8th grade junior Scholars as of September, 2023, who will have great experiences exploring new concepts in math, chemistry, biology, computer science, robotics, language arts, reading, art, and much more!! There will be weekly field trips. Previous educational trips have included The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Zoo, Camden's Adventure Aquarium, and The Academy of Natural Sciences -- all included with registration!

Camp will take place June 20 through July 28, 2023, Monday through Friday; locations will be within the YMWIC partner School Districts of Chester Upland, Coatesville, Norristown, Phoenixville, Upper Darby, and West Chester. We are accepting applications now! To register, click here.

Young Men and Women In Charge Foundation, Inc. is hosting our 2023 YMWIC Upward Bound Summer Program for 8th through 11th grade students who meet Upward Bound requirements and attend schools that are part of the Upper Darby and Coatesville School Districts. This six-week experience will enrich, expose and prepare Scholars for college; while providing insight into future employment opportunities. They will experience projects in the arts, entrepreneurship, mentoring, leadership, golf and much more.

The Program takes place from June 20 - July 27, 2023, Monday through Thursday, 8:30AM - 3:30PM. Scholars will participate in college campus tours of six Philadelphia-area colleges and visit Fortune 100 corporations. The Program ends with our very popular and well-attended complimentary buffet dinner recognizing the successful conclusion of the Upward Bound Summer Program with Scholars and parents at the Penn Oaks Golf Club. Click here to register.

Be sure to calendar the date to join us on Monday, August 21, 2023, at the fabulous Penn Oaks Golf Club in a Scramble Golf Tournament and Fundraiser to support our Scholarship Program for the Young Men and Women In Charge (YMWIC) Foundation, Inc. You will meet our Scholars, network, and have fun as you help us raise Scholarship funds.

Golfers will receive gifts and enjoy an open buffet lunch and an open buffet dinner. There will be prizes for our guests and winners. For non-golfers, please join us for the evening banquet and networking dinner event, which will include a delicious buffet dinner and much more. To sign up for this exciting event, click here.

Stay on top of what YMWIC Scholars are doing by following us on both of our social media platforms, Instagram and Meta (formerly Facebook). This is a great way to receive constant updates on what’s happening at YMWIC. All you must do is go on your Instagram and/or Meta (Facebook) app and type YMWICscholars. Once you see our logo pop up, click Follow. Drop a Comment to say hello! Welcome to our social media family! Looking forward to seeing you join in on the fun.  

To connect with us online on Meta/Facebook select this Link! To stay up to date with what’s happening at YMWIC via Instagram, you can select this Link.

Click Here for more information about these positions. If you are interested in applying for a position listed above, please let us know your preference and submit your resume to [email protected]. All candidates 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.

If you or your organization would like to be a valued volunteer for YMWIC, please use this link. We welcome and appreciate your talents, time, and willingness to work with us!

Education 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-12 students; empowers their families; counseling, financial support and internships for YMWIC college alumni; and enriches our communities by 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.