Forty-fives miles west of Philadelphia lies the city of Coatesville, a community of approximately 12,000 nestled in the heart of Chester County, where 22 percent of the residence live below the poverty line. The Bridge Academy, along with many other initiatives, is working to see this community transformed by the power of the gospel. With the establishment of the Bridge Academy and Community Center in 2002, a very small part of their vision has started to become a reality.
The idea for the Bridge Academy was planted in 2001 by Steve and Stefanie Wilson while they were attending Calvary Fellowship Church in Lionville, PA. With assistance from the CFC Elders, volunteers from CFC’s Bridge Ministry and a few outreach events, we were able to successfully plant small seeds of a future ministry.
In early 2002, a separate 501(c)(3) (non-profit organization) was established. During 2002 a Board of Directors were recruited and the search for a permanent location begun. God blessed our efforts through identifying a property at 570 Olive St. and enabling the BACC to take occupancy in December. The Board of Directors has raised the funds to pay all operating costs of the facility for the first five years. During that time the Executive Directors, through an active volunteer base and supportive Board, have been able to offer multiple benefits.
The BACC has begun programs in each of these three areas – education, creative arts and community projects – that have primarily worked with low-income youth and adults. The homework tutorial has been one of the most successful program, with about 70 children involved. It meets three nights a week and is staffed by volunteers. The Bridge Academy has had 25 children attend its summer literacy camp, which uses the Bible as a major part of its curriculum. Children can also take a variety of arts classes at the Bridge Academy: music (piano and drums), creative writing, dance (hip-hop and ballet), and a variety of visual arts, including ceramics, printmaking, mural painting, drawing and graphic design. All of the programs include time for bible study and discussion, and the BACC also offers youth and adult bible studies for the community. As for the broader community, the BACC hosts annually a fall festival, back to school book bag drive and a Christmas store for youth and adults.