Chester Education Foundation (CEF) is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting educational excellence and supporting community revitalization in the Chester Upland School District. For more than eighteen years, CEF has provided summer employment, career development, tutoring, enrichment experiences, leadership training, incentives and life skills training for high school students. Elementary and middle school age students receive academic support, social development skills, enrichment activities and programs. CEF also hosts the College Without Walls for adults interested in receiving their Associates degree in Leadership through Harcum College.
CEF facilitates the research-based Communities That Care® (CTC) Network which has been meeting for the last twelve years on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The CTC Network members collaborate with each other to reduce risk factors and improve outcomes for children and youth in the Chester community by leveraging resources and reducing duplication of services.
CEF partners with Widener University’s Department of Human Service Professions to provide a community based internship program for social work and psychology interns. Social Work Consultation (SWCS) provides clinical and case management services, family therapy, psychological assessments and parenting programs to the local community including children, adults and families. In addition, capacity building consultation services is provided to local agencies. SWCS has been serving clients in Chester and the surrounding communities since 2000.
In order to serve children and their families, CEF collaborates with many partners including Widener University, Swarthmore College, the Chester Upland School District, the City of Chester, the Chester Housing Authority, the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Crozer-Keystone Health System, the Chester Youth Collaborative, Chester Weed & Seed, and PA CareerLink, among many others.