The VISTA NextGen Superstars Awards Reception & Celebration is known for recognizing the region’s rising leaders. But each year, the event also creates space to spotlight something just as important — the nonprofits working every day to strengthen the community around them.

That moment came into focus again last Thursday night, as Citadel Credit Union, the event’s nonprofit sponsor, presented a $10,000 check to the 2026 nonprofit beneficiary, the Chester County OIC.

Held at Penn State Great Valley, the annual celebration brought together business leaders, community partners, and the seventh class of VISTA NextGen Superstars — professionals under the age of 40 who were recognized for their leadership and impact across Chester County.

While the evening centered on those honorees, the recognition of the Chester County OIC illustrated a broader message about what drives long-term progress in the region.

“We’re especially honored to celebrate the incredible work being done across Chester County by our nonprofit community,” said Bill Brown, CEO of Citadel Credit Union. “That’s why we’re once again proud to sponsor the VISTA NextGen Superstars Nonprofit Award. This recognition means a great deal to us because it highlights organizations that are not only addressing urgent needs today, but also building a stronger future for individuals, families, and communities tomorrow.”

The donation reflects a growing tradition tied to the VISTA NextGen Superstars program: pairing recognition with real, tangible support for nonprofits making a measurable difference.

For Citadel, that support is closely tied to its broader mission.

“At Citadel, our mission is to empower those we serve to achieve financial strength,” Brown said. “And we believe financial strength is about more than just dollars and cents. It’s about stability. It’s about opportunity. It’s about having the support, resources, and confidence to move forward.”

But as Brown emphasized, financial strength doesn’t begin with numbers. It begins with stability, something many nonprofits work to provide every day.

“Before individuals and families can focus on long-term financial strength, their basic needs must first be met,” he said. “And that’s where nonprofits play such a vital role.”

Locally, organizations like the Chester County OIC are helping meet those needs in ways that extend far beyond immediate support. Through programs focused on education, workforce development, and job-readiness, the Coatesville-based nonprofit creates pathways for individuals to build sustainable careers and long-term independence.

“We empower people to reimagine what self-sufficiency looks like for them, to do the thing they thought they could never do,” said Javonna Wylie, CEO of Chester County OIC. “That’s why our motto is ‘Helping People Help Themselves.’ Each year, we serve 100 adults working toward their GED, 400 immigrants learning English to strengthen their opportunities, and hundreds more through 13 workforce training programs aligned with real career pathways.”

Her remarks offered a clear, on-the-ground view of what that work looks like … and why it matters.

“Nonprofit organizations are answering that call every day,” Brown said. “They’re addressing food insecurity, expanding access to quality healthcare, creating pathways to education and employment, supporting families during difficult times, and helping people take meaningful steps toward independence and hope.”

That work, he said, often serves as a critical turning point.

“These organizations are often the bridge between the challenges someone is facing today and the future they’re working toward tomorrow.”

This year’s recognition of the Chester County OIC reflects that role.

“Through its focus on education, workforce development, and opportunity, the Chester County OIC is helping individuals gain skills, build confidence, and create new possibilities for themselves and their families,” said Brown.

The impact of that work extends well beyond any single program.

“It strengthens households, supports employers, and uplifts entire communities,” Brown said. “It reflects what’s possible when people come together with purpose and compassion.”