Chester Staff, Inmates Complete Back-to-School Drive

SCI Chester's Employees Recreation Association (CERA) and Chester's Inmate Improvement Organization were in full back-to-school mode recently.

Staff and inmates donated money and collected enough back-to-school supplies to fill more than 60 backpacks for children of the Wesley House. They didn't just buy some crayons and pencils—more than $1,000 was spent making sure the children were given the necessary items needed to make their school year a success. Items included notepads, binders, scientific calculators and Kindle Fires. (Backpacks were broken down by grades K-12.)

The Wesley House is a homeless shelter for single women or families. The shelter has 17 rooms for guests and is typically at full capacity of 70 people on any given day. It serves an average of 240 individuals (75 households) per year. Wesley House has a state-of-the-art computer training room for clients to improve their computer skills, search for employment and secure permanent housing. Financial literacy (Money Smarts) classes are offered as well as the Catholic Social Services' Out of Poverty Program, enrichment classes, nutrition classes, medical assessments through Horizon House, respite care for needy children and toys during the holiday season. Staff raised $320 and donated bags of clothing.

Stay tuned for round two of SCI Chester's back-to-school supply drive coming soon!