In addition to offering comprehensive medical services, the Wellness Center coordinates and provides outreach programs that promote the overall health and wellness of the young people of Chester–and involve young citizens in giving back to the community around them.

Collaborative Community Health Initiatives

The Wellness Center provides leadership for several community health initiatives, the largest of which is the Chester Youth Collaborative, a collaborative of young adults from 12 to 22 years of age, other adult community residents, and local institutions working together to strengthen and support out-of-school youth programs. The ultimate goal of the Collaborative is to support young people in transitioning successfully to adulthood and becoming productive citizens.

In-School Programs

The Wellness Center offers health promotion programs to students in grades six to eight in the Chester Upland School District during the regular school day. Classes focus on preparing students to handle the challenges of adolescence, such as peer pressure, in a positive way. Many

In-School Programs are led by high school students, known as Peer Leaders, who are trained as community health educators by the Wellness Center's Youth Leadership Program.

Out-of-School Programs

The Wellness Center operates three out-of-school programs:  

• The Youth Leadership Program trains high school students to become Peer Leaders for middle school students. Peer Leaders become positive role models and mentors for their younger peers, helping them to learn assertiveness and resistance to peer and social pressure through interactive and entertaining lesson plans. In addition to training and community service in the middle schools, the Youth Leadership Program provides Peer Leaders with extensive opportunities for personal, cultural, and academic enrichment.
• Leadership 101 is an after-school program that provides introductory leadership skills to middle school students known as Junior Peer Leaders, who can go on to become Peer Leaders when they reach high school. Leadership 101 clubs meet once a week, with middle school students working in small groups with high school Peer Leaders and Wellness Center staff on a variety of health and leadership themes. Just like the Youth Leadership Program, Leadership 101 includes community service and enrichment in addition to Peer Leader training. 

Address: Community Hospital, 2600 West Ninth Street, Chester, PA 19013.

Phone: 610-497-7422

Fax: 610-497-7438