Our Mission for the Youth and Young Adult Committee is to empower our youth and young adults via ongoing engagement, involvement, encouragement, and support in the areas of their academic and vocational needs, and their prosocial activities.
In our Schools: The Youth and Young Adult Committee is committed to ensuring that each student has timely, accurate, and ongoing access to the available resources in their respective schools. This includes (but is not limited to) academics, the cultivation of a healthy relationship with faculty, staff, and fellow students. In addition, we endeavor to provide consistent support by assisting the students with their educational and/or vocational goals.
In our Communities: We wholeheartedly believe in intelligent, poised, and vigorous civic engagement. Concurrently, it remains our goal to cultivate effective leaders from within the ranks of our youth and young adults. We do this in part by “Leading by a Positive Example” in addition to training, championing support, and providing the opportunities for our youth and young adults to exercise their gifts, talents, skills and abilities.
Together as One: Lastly, it is our chief and unified aim to do all that we can, in word and deed, via fostering healthy and strong relationships with the youth and young adults that we serve. With this enterprise firmly fixed in our hearts and minds, we shall further prepare our youth for both the present day and the future. The objective being, that there be an advancement in our youth’s character, and thereby, they become more resilient, resourceful, and resolute in their individual and collective objectives. Ultimately, they will then be better equipped to overcome the challenges that they will inevitably face in the society in which we now live.
Committee Leaders
William David Todd
Committee Chair
William David Todd currently has the privilege to serve as Chair of the Youth and Young Adult Committee of the NAACP’s Coatesville branch.
His time of serving youth, family, and community spans over two decades.
A native of Philadelphia, Will traveled extensively while serving with the United States Armed Forces. After serving stateside, in the Middle East, and lastly, Berlin, Germany, he received an honorable discharge. Upon his return, he earned his initial degree in Biblical Studies from Geneva College while working in a “Leadership Management” capacity at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, he served at Capital One Corporate offices in Wilmington, DE.
In 2013, Will relocated to Coatesville, where he continued his education by earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University. Shortly thereafter, he began working with youth and families via community-based services throughout Chester County. Currently, Will is poised to continue his formal education.
Lastly, as a father, an uncle, and as a Minister of the Gospel, I believe that the power of any community lies within the family. And, I am truly grateful that the Coatesville community has embraced me as a member of their extended family.
Venessa Wise-McFarlin
Committee Co-Chair, 3rd Vice President
Venessa Wise-Mcfarlin serves as the Co-Chair of the Youth and Young Adult Committee and the 3rd Vice President of the Coatesville NAACP Branch.
A proud native of Coatesville, she is deeply committed to supporting and empowering young people in her community.
Venessa worked at a childcare center in Coatesville for 14 years, where she spent many years nurturing and mentoring children and families. She now works in community-based human services, supporting individuals and families through outpatient mental health and other support services in the community.
As a devoted mother, she brings both personal and professional passion to her work in the community.
Venessa is passionate about helping the next generation find their voice and become active leaders in their communities.