At the Believe and Achieve Foundation, we believe every child deserves a story-worthy summer—and access to nourishment, joy, and opportunity. Thanks to the support of the AHE Seed to Scale Grant and a growing list of committed partners, we are proud to report meaningful progress, growing impact, and a sustainable vision that continues to take root across Greater Coatesville.

 Progress to Date: A Growing Movement

Our “B&A Boost” initiative continues to flourish. What began in 2022 as a collaboration with the Coatesville Area School District (CASD) has expanded into a vibrant, multi-partner effort aimed at enriching the lives of local youth. The 2024 CASD summer program at Rainbow Elementary served between 350–450 students per week, with over 7,367 pounds of fresh produce distributed through three Farm Fresh Markets. Students and teachers alike benefited from weekly access to fresh fruits and vegetables, nutritional demos, assemblies, and summer essentials like supplies and t-shirts.

Our partnership with The Bridge Academy also remains strong, with a series of monthly pop-up markets, holiday events, and block parties. These efforts served over 500 registered individuals—though we know many more family members indirectly benefited from the food provided.

As of early 2025, we’ve already launched pop-up markets in partnership with Coatesville Kids to College and hosted enrichment field trips, including a Phillies baseball game and a beach day in Wildwood planned for this July!  Our summer 2025 program with CASD will invite 550 students, our largest group yet. Learn more about the Seed-And-Scale funded program HERE. 

Impact on Greater Coatesville: From Nourishment to Empowerment

The ripple effect of this work is tangible. Access to nutritious produce directly addresses food insecurity while reducing stigma through a market-style, choice-based approach. At the same time, our programs cultivate confidence, connection, and curiosity—key ingredients for a growth mindset and positive self-identity.

By embedding these experiences in schools and trusted community centers, we ensure that support reaches those who need it most, in environments that feel safe and welcoming. Each market, each bag of produce, each field trip is an investment in a stronger, more resilient Coatesville.

Sustainability and Long-Term Vision

As we look to the future, sustainability is at the heart of our vision. Our strategy involves consistent school district partnerships, community center engagement, and a growing focus on capturing more accurate data on individual and family impact.

We’re also innovating around logistical challenges like produce pricing, program cancellations due to weather or facility issues, and pre-ordering accuracy. By refining these operational components, we can stretch resources further and maintain the high-quality experience our families have come to expect.

Fundraising Momentum: Leveraging AHE’s Matching Gift

A crucial piece of this momentum has been the fundraising boost made possible by AHE’s dollar-for-dollar matching grant. We are proud to share that we successfully raised $10,000 all of which was matched by AHE—doubling the impact of every dollar.  The total through the AHE Seed to Scale Grant is 30,452.30.

This match has been more than just financial support—it has been a cornerstone of our fundraising strategy. We’ve actively integrated the match into donor conversations, campaigns, and outreach, reinforcing the message that contributions go twice as far thanks to AHE’s generosity. The result? Increased engagement, renewed partnerships, and a deeper sense of shared purpose among our supporters.

A Call to Action: Let’s Keep Growing

As we continue to grow the B&A Boost and Farm Fresh initiatives, we are reminded daily that this work is only possible through collaboration. From school administrators and teachers to community volunteers and donors, every hand plays a role in shaping a brighter future for Coatesville’s youth.

We are so thankful for our partnership with AHE and encourage continued collaboration, new partnerships, and ongoing support. Whether through time, funding, or shared expertise, there’s a place for everyone in this work—and together, we are building something that will last.

Let’s keep planting seeds. Let’s keep scaling impact. And let’s keep showing up for Coatesville—because the harvest is just beginning.