Katie Duffus is coming up on her second year as the Executive Director of Chester County Futures. Duffus spent years of her career in Virginia, before moving to Pennsylvania to be closer to family. While she moved up the ladder at Rocky Run YMCA, she was looking for a new passion. After being connected to Chester County Futures by Andrea Youndt, of Chester County Food Bank, Duffus started her new position as Executive Director in November of 2022.
“I was looking for something new, something challenging, but also something rewarding.” Duffus said. There was always a passion for education running through her family. Being one of eight children, neither of her parents had college degrees while she was growing up. After her father’s death, Duffus’ mother worked hard to put her children through college and went back to school herself, earning her degree while Duffus was in college. This first-hand experience drove her to the mission of Chester County Futures.
Chester County Futures is a free program, working in the Coatesville, Phoenixville, Oxford, and Kennett Square school districts.
“In grades 9-12, we offer classroom instruction on time management, being a student, advocating for yourself, and career exploration. We also have classroom speakers that help with life skills, such as financial management and healthy relationships.” Duffus explained. “We also help with college planning, like essay writing, SAT prep, and college applications.”
Chester County Futures holds a Career Fair and Expo, brings high school students on college trips, and uses a holistic approach, helping them to become successful students and young adults. As for their college students, Chester County Futures calls them, once during the Fall semester and once during the Spring semester. They aid in helping the college students obtain internships needed for graduation and connect students to local community partners.
Chester County Futures runs a mentorship program, connecting local leaders, business owners, and other professionals with their students. Mentors can apply with Chester County Futures, where they will then go through an interview and training process. After they have completed their clearances, they will be matched with a student.
“I find that when there’s a really great match, the mentorship is for life.” Duffus said.
Duffus credits the students with keeping her motivated and passionate about her job. “It’s so different than when I was in high school and college. Seeing a student achieve something they may not have thought was possible is extremely rewarding.”
Being at the head of a growing organization, Duffus has much to be proud of, including the student experience and the financial health of the organization. Post COVID, the nonprofit was able to bring back in-person experiences for the students, something they truly missed participating in. Duffs said, “Financially, any time you run an organization, whether it’s a nonprofit or a small business, it can be really challenging, and I think Chester County Futures is definitely going in the right direction, to help serve more students for many years to come.”
As for the student experience, they recently took 13 students on an overnight trip to Elizabethtown College where they could sleep in the dorms.
“That was the first time they had been on a college campus, and for a majority of them, it was the first time they had slept anywhere that wasn’t their home,” Duffus explained. “It was special to see their independent growth. It meant so much to them.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Chester County Futures underwent some changes. When the organization was created, its mission was to help students that wanted to go to college. “Now, we are open to all students who are interested in going to college or any sort of post-secondary planning.” Duffus said.
Chester County Futures has also added workforce development to their list of services for students who may not want to go to college, but rather enter the skilled trades or the workforce directly out of high school. Regardless of their path, Chester County Futures helps students come up with a plan.
Currently, Futures has over 95 students in the high school program and 125 in the college program, whom they communicate with and send resources to. Chester County Futures has numerous community partnerships in the Coatesville area, some being The Alliance for Health Equity, who they did a grant with; Arts Holding Hands & Hearts, who they worked with to equip their students with mental health resources; and Coatesville Youth Initiative, who connects their students to CCF events.
Duffus noted that she believes the Chester County Futures’ mission will also aid in the revitalization of Coatesville. “The students from Coatesville that we have here in the program are so motivated and energetic. It will only help Coatesville to have their high school students prepared with a post-secondary plan, as they may come back and be a part of the local workforce.” Still somewhat new to the area, Duffus enjoys seeing how everyone comes together in Coatesville.
Throughout her work at Chester County Futures, Duffus stays focused on the students’ needs. She meets yearly with the four school districts they service and gives them regular updates on the students’ progress. Duffus also makes sure to stay in touch with her college students, seeing what they did and didn’t expect out of the college experience, so she can bring that back to her high school students.
“For instance, there’s been a big shift in online classes and testing. Students may not even go to the classroom for a college test. We help students learn what questions they should ask when visiting or touring colleges, like if it’s a commuter school or how online-focused it may be.” Duffus referenced how prior to COVID, 69% of students went to college after graduating high school. After COVID, that number dropped to 61%.
One of the most important aspects of helping students choose the best college for them is helping them make sure the college is affordable, that they have a financial plan in place, and that the operations of college meets the individual’s need as a student.
Chester County Futures wants to expand their post-college graduate transition program, where they help post-grad college students make connections and enter the workforce. “I’ve learned to keep looking ahead, to see what we need to be doing, not just today, but years down the line. We are helping students plan their future, so we try to do the same.” Duffus said.
Chester County Futures is hosting their annual Casino Night on January 31. The event is open to anyone who wants to support the organization’s mission. They have recently launched a new blog and resource page on their website. To learn more about the imperative work Chester County Futures is doing, visit their website.
Check out a recent Spotlight on LaMancha Animal Rescue here.
