6-Medal Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee Visiting Coatesville

COATESVILLE, PA — Six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is making a stop in Coatesville on Monday to check in with the Coatesville Youth Initiative as it launches her Winning in Life program.

The Coatesville Youth Initiative (CYI) will host the opening ceremony for the JJK Winning in Life program on the steps of the CYI-Benner Building at 545 E. Lincoln Highway in Coatesville on Sept. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the opening ceremony, which will include a speech and a meet and greet with Joyner-Kersee.

The Coatesville Youth Initiative, in partnership with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and PA/American Water, said it is proud to bring the JJK Winning in Life Program to Coatesville for the first time.

The JJK Winning in Life Program is a 15-week youth empowerment curriculum which will engage 40 Coatesville youth, ages 9-12. Based on Jackie Joyner-Kersee's personal lessons throughout her inspiring journey to become the greatest female athlete of the 20th century, the guidelines and principles in Winning in Life will help participating Coatesville youth reach their potential and push beyond their limits, according to a news statement.

The Coatesville Youth Initiative is an independent non-profit organization committed to youth-led, transformational community change. It provides life-enhancing experiences and services to youth and families, encourages prevention education, and builds community collaboration.

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and the JJK Winning in Life program empowers children to succeed through self-confidence, character development, and leadership development.

American Water through its charitable foundations seeks to support employees in their own charitable endeavors, provide stronger support for disaster relief efforts, and provide funding for higher-level initiatives related to clean water, conservation, education, and community sustainability.

Beginning the week of Oct. 4, running through January 2022, the JJK Winning in Life Program will meet weekly on Monday evenings. Enrollment is already filled up.

Make sure you know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss any local news: https://patch.com/subscribe.