They will become only the second group of students to examine their community’s most pressing needs, unearth the best nonprofit solutions to those problems and ultimately be the change they want to see in the world around them.

The Coatesville Area Youth Philanthropy Program is looking for several 14- to 18-year-old youth to become its next class of grant-making leaders.

“This program is not just another program in our community making promises of change. This program does make change to help sustain the Coatesville area,” said Dayvon Bladen, one of the designers of the program.

The October-to-May program that meets two to three times each month on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings will teach students about philanthropy and walk them through the process of soliciting grant proposals, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates on-site and eventually doling out $15,000 in grant funds provided by Citadel to the community organizations of their choosing.

“This program gives teens an opportunity to change their community for the better,” fellow program designer Riya Patel said. “Coatesville is a wonderful city, but many teens, even adults, have a hard time believing that. Now, with this program, they can have a new, better perspective of their community and home. That’s not something that’s available every day.”

Committed and determined Coatesville youth looking to make a difference are encouraged to apply by Sept. 28. The Coatesville Area Youth Philanthropy Program is run by the Brandywine Health Foundation with a focus on developing leadership, team building, communication and business skills.

Download a Coatesville Area Youth Philanthropy Program application here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the unique opportunity here.