In 2007 the Brandywine Health Foundation completed a strategic plan that included the goal of helping young people develop into productive adults. In keeping with the foundation’s strategic plan, and in response to the need for coordinated youth programming, the Brandywine Health Foundation convened community leaders to discuss the creation of a formal Youth Development Initiative.

In July 2008, the Brandywine Health Foundation commissioned Urban Ventures Group to facilitate a full- scale community planning process as part of the Coatesville Youth Initiative. The planning process convened a cross-section of stakeholders to develop a shared plan to address the needs of youth and young adults, ages 12–24, in the Greater Coatesville Area. The year-long planning process was completed and unveiled publicly in October 2009 as the Coatesville Youth Initiative. The full Community Plan or Executive Summary can be downloaded here.

The process included:

1. A scan of existing youth programs and activities in Coatesville. 
2. A community profile of youth and young adults in Coatesville, providing quantitative data on the well-being of youth and young adults within four key areas: (1) demographics and household characteristics; (2) educational and employment characteristics; (3) health and well-being; and (4) public safety.A study of best practices and promising approaches in youth development.
3. In-person interviews and focus groups with a broad representation of stakeholders to obtain their input on the concerns, issues and needs of youth.  The planning team worked with Coatesville School District administrators to organize focus groups with middle- and high-school students at their schools and with local organizations providing workforce readiness to gather perspectives from young adults.
4. A series of facilitated working meetings to guide steering committee members through structured discussions to develop a set of targeted priority areas.