Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center

What Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center does

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 and headquartered at 22 N 5th Avenue, Coatesville. It delivers free adult education, workforce development, and vocational training services to economically disadvantaged adults throughout Chester County, serving more than 800 participants annually across programs including ESL classes, GED preparation and testing, Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training, digital literacy, forklift certification, SOAR reentry training for justice-involved young adults, the Work Enclave paid ambassador program, the FRESHStart Kitchen culinary track, and NRF Customer Service certification. Service delivery spans in-person classes at multiple county sites, virtual classrooms backed by a loaner Chromebook program, and case-managed workforce reintegration with transportation support via a 12-passenger van acquired in 2021.

CCOIC operates an affiliate of the OIC of America national network and is led by President and CEO Joyce Chester. The organization is funded entirely by grants and donations; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Documented grant funding includes a $300,000 HUD community development block grant (2018) for headquarters acquisition, an $833,070 ARPA pass-through from Chester County Commissioners (October 2022) extending the Work Enclave Program for 3.5 years, a two-year $225,000 Alliance for Health Equity grant (2022) for the Homelessness and Unemployment in Coatesville Collective targeting 18-24-year-old adults of color, a $20,000 American Water Charitable Foundation grant (November 2022), and a $5,000 Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation grant (December 2022). Recurring funders include the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Department of Labor, Chester County Workforce Development Board, and Chester County Department of Workforce Development.

The go-to-market model is community-led: outreach runs through PA CareerLink, Chester County Library, the Chester County Food Bank, employer partnerships, social services referrals, and annual community events including a Block Party at Gateway Park and a Summer Solstice Fundraising Gala. Marketing channels are concentrated in organic social (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) and partner referrals rather than paid acquisition. Customer segments are highly diversified across use cases (non-native English speakers, GED seekers, justice-involved young adults, healthcare career aspirants, reentry adults) but operationally the funder base is concentrated in a small set of public-sector grantors.

Name

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center

Legal name

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center

Website

https://ccoic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center is a Coatesville, PA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free adult education (ESL, GED), vocational training (CNA, culinary, forklift), and workforce development services to economically disadvantaged adults across Chester County, serving over 800 participants annually through grant-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Workforce Development

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Workforce development programs
• ESL instruction
• GED preparation
• Vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Coatesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue source from government and foundation grants including Pennsylvania Department of Education, Chester County Department of Workforce Development, PA Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and private foundations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including annual galas and community events. The organization operates a Summer Solstice Fundraising Gala at $150 per ticket.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) is a non-profit community-based organization that delivers free adult education and workforce development services to economically disadvantaged individuals in Chester County, PA. Its offerings span ESL and GED instruction, citizenship preparation, vocational certification (CNA, forklift, culinary), digital literacy, customer service certification, and workforce reintegration programs including the Work Enclave paid work-readiness initiative.

Product overview

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) is a non-profit community-based organization offering a portfolio of adult education and workforce development programs designed to help economically disadvantaged individuals achieve sustainable employment and financial independence. The organization operates as a multi-service provider with distinct programs including Adult Education services (ESL classes, GED preparation, Adult Tutoring, GED Testing Center, Citizenship Classes), Vocational Training (Certified Nurse Aide Training, Forklift Training, Culinary Arts via FRESHStart Kitchen Program), Workforce Development (Workforce Reintegration Program, Work Enclave Program, Career Development Workshops, Customer Service Certification), and Technology Training (Digital Literacy, SOAR Coursera Training, Distance Learning). The programs serve over 800 adults annually and are funded through grants and fundraising, offering free services to the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes Day and evening classes assisting non-native English speakers to learn English and skills to obtain and retain employment, post-secondary education, and/or prepare for citizenship. Offered in both virtual and in-person formats.
• GED Preparation Classes Day and evening classes up to four times a week in locations around the county to prepare adults without a high school diploma to take the GED exam. Offered in both in-person and virtual formats.
• Adult Tutoring Program Volunteer tutoring program based at Chester County Library in Exton to assist students to improve English language skills, prepare for the GED exam, or to improve math and reading skills for employment or post-secondary education.
• GED Testing Center Official GED testing center where adults can take the GED exam to earn their high school equivalency diploma.
• Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Program A 128-hour plus course that prepares individuals for certification as CNAs to work in the healthcare industry. Participants can obtain better jobs after completing this 3-month program.
• Workforce Reintegration Program Comprehensive employment and vocational counseling and training program to help unemployed and underemployed adults of Chester County get a job, including developing and monitoring Case Plans.
• Work Enclave Program A 5-week paid ambassador program for residents to participate in community beautification while learning work readiness skills. Participants earn $15/hour and are candidates for local jobs after completion.
• Distance Learning Program Online independent study program where workbooks and materials are supplied free of charge with teacher support available by email, phone, or mail.
• Technology & Digital Literacy Training A 25-session program partnering with Full Circle Computing to teach technology and digital literacy skills including Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Social Media.
• SOAR Coursera Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 adults helped per year
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• OIC of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization. CCOIC is an affiliate member of the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America network founded by Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan in 1964. Partnership on SOAR program for justice-involved adults.
• 2nd Century AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Work Enclave Program, a beautification initiative for the 19320 zip code in Coatesville.
• Brandywine Valley Active Aging (BVAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for transportation support. CCOIC van helps deliver pet food to seniors in BVAA's 'Helping Paws' program. Collaborative community projects.
• Full Circle / Full Circle ComputingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for technology and digital literacy training. 25-session Technology/Digital Literacy training program. Also partners on Customer Service Specialist Program with NRF Certification.
• Chester County LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts ESL Conversation Groups for adults. CCOIC Adult Tutoring Program based at Chester County Library in Exton.
• PA CareerLink Chester CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary workforce partner providing job training, career workshops, job fairs, and employment services coordination.
• Chester County Food BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for FRESHStart Kitchen Culinary Program, a 12-week culinary job training program for CCOIC students.
• Goodwill Senior ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting seniors with volunteer and work opportunities at CCOIC.
• AHHAHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to serve as an AHHAH site for handing out books to local children through CCIU student workers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County: Nearby regional Goodwill affiliate providing adult education, job training, and workforce reintegration services. Comparable nonprofit mission and program mix, including partnerships with workforce development boards.
• Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing ESL, job-readiness training, and immigrant workforce integration. Highly comparable to CCOIC's ESL and citizenship-preparation programs serving non-native English speakers.
• District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund: Philadelphia-based labor-affiliated nonprofit providing workforce training (notably healthcare/CNA pathways) to entry-level and incumbent workers. Directly comparable to CCOIC's CNA training and healthcare career focus.
• JEVS Human Services: Philadelphia-area nonprofit offering workforce development, vocational training, and adult education programs. Comparable scope of services and regional context, though at substantially larger scale than CCOIC.
• Philadelphia OIC: Sister OIC affiliate operating in Philadelphia with the same adult education, job training, and community-based workforce development model as CCOIC. Closest geographic and programmatic peer.
• OIC of America: National parent network of the Opportunities Industrialization Centers founded by Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan in 1964; CCOIC is a direct affiliate. Both deliver adult education, workforce training, and reentry services through shared branding and federal program partnerships such as SOAR.

Broad incumbents

• ProLiteracy: National adult literacy nonprofit supporting a network of community-based literacy programs across the U.S. While not a direct local competitor, ProLiteracy operates in the same adult basic education space CCOIC serves and influences funder priorities in this category.

Others

• PA CareerLink Chester County: Pennsylvania's public workforce development system; CCOIC's primary referral and co-delivery partner for job fairs and employment services. Functions as both a force-multiplier and a partial substitute for CCOIC's workforce programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chescooic
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChescoOIC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chester-county-oic-ccoic
• Instagraminstagram.com/chestercountyoic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center