Chester’s Mentoring Initiative

April 2024

Member Announcements:

  • Sat, April 27, 4pm: Models of Virtue fashion show at Chester High School. Email bblessingfoundation@gmail.com to learn more.

  • Thurs, May 2, 5:30pm: Chester’s Got Talent at Chester High School.

  • Sat, May 4, 10:30am Educational Day Hike and free lunch at Swarthmore College led by Swarthmore Seniors Oceana and Chris, plus Environmental Youth Corps leader Barron Lacy. Meet at 12 Whittier Pl, Swarthmore. Free transportation from Chester’s Eyre Park. Email barronlacy@aol.com to learn more.

  • Wed, May 8, 4-8pm: “Delco Gives, Chester Creates” Block Party on the 400-500 blocks of Avenue of the States. Free family fun.

  • Fri, May 10. Please volunteer to work at Widener University to help support the Chester Upland School District's Staff Appreciation Day. Please note that CUSD hopes to avoid having current students' parents among the volunteers if possible. Details and signup at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B49AEAF2FA57-49195237-chester#/

  • Space is currently available for The 9th Street YCC Environmental Corps, a year-round program for ages 12-16 years old that provides hands-on mentored outdoor activities. The activities focus on climate change, planting trees, trimming trees, and waterfront clean-ups. Each program session takes place on a Saturday once a month and participants receive a $30 stipend for each monthly activity they participate in. Sign up at https://9thstreetycc.org/environmental-corps-information/

  • Summer tutors will be available through Chester ExChange. Contact kvreddchesterexc@gmail.com for more information.

  • Chester Education Foundation has paying opportunities for 16-24 year olds, including its STEP and Blueprints programs and Pharmacy Tech Training. Northstart Digital Literacy Training also available. Visit https://www.chestereducation.org/ for details and registration.

    Our featured speaker was Kevin Postlewait, Fire Prevention Officer in Chester, who presented tips for fire safety, including:

  • Chester has a mobile education unit that groups and schools can request for educational events. Learn more and complete the form at https://www.chestercity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-FD-Mobile-Education-Unit-form-and-invite.pdf

  • Every family should create an exit plan and stationary meeting place that is on the same side of the street as your own house. Don’t risk crossing the street when there is a chaotic situation.

  • 80 percent of all fires start in the kitchen; unattended stovetop cooking is the main cause.

  • Fire requires oxygen, heat and fuel. Take away one or more of these elements and the fire will die. In the case of a grease fire in a pan, the best thing to do is leave the pan in place, shut off the heat and cover the pan to eliminate the fire.

  • Keep a careful eye on candles, especially near curtains that can easily catch fire.

  • Pets have been known to knock over candles and start a fire.

  • If a room is on fire, close the door to the room. The fire will spread through the window more quickly than through drywall or a door.

  • If you have a fire extinguisher, check its pressure gauge. The needle should be in the green space. Some can be serviced to restore their functionality, but most expire after ten years as they leak air and cake up.

  • Donate your old or used fire extinguishers to the local fire company. Never throw away anything like a fire extinguisher that could explode under pressure in a garbage truck.

  • A small fire extinguisher is only good for the size fire that would fit in a small garbage bin.

  • It is good to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another near the clothes dryer.

  • To prevent dryer fires, regularly clean your lint trap and dryer exhaust line.

  • Learn the sounds of your smoke detector:

    • Three long beeps separated by a short pause means smoke and/or fire has been detected.

    • Four quick beeps means carbon monoxide has been detected.

    • One “chirp” every 30 seconds means that the battery is dead. IF you put a new battery in and it still chirps, it means your unit has expired (is 10 years old or more) and needs to be replaced.

    • New smoke detector units have built-in batteries that last ten years.

      Reach Kevin with additional questions and requests: Kevin Postlewait,  610-447-7765 Ext. 110

      Fax: 610-447-7840, 320 East 14th Street Chester, PA 19013, kpostlewait@chesterfire.net