Impact Newsletter 2017

FOR A
BETTER US
YMCA OF GREATER BRANDYWINE • www.ymcagbw.org
BUILDING COMMUNITY, TRANSFORMING LIVES
DEAR FRIENDS,
Strengthening our community is at the heart of the YMCA’s mission; and it is only
through the generosity of you—our members, donors, sponsors, corporate leaders
and volunteers—that we are able to put that mission into motion.
In 2017, your support enabled us to teach more than
1,750 children how to be safe in and around water—
at no cost to them or their families. We distributed
coats to more than 4,000 children in Chester County
to ensure they stay warm and healthy during the cold
winter months. We gave holiday gifts to more than 2,000 families and
children in need to ensure they experienced the joy of the holiday season.
And we provided financial assistance to nearly 12,000 people this year,
enabling them to access all the benefits of the YMCA.
In addition, thousands of you volunteered, providing countless hours
of service in all capacities—reading to children in our childcare program,
serving on YMCA boards and committees, organizing food donations,
coaching youth sports and more. Your service makes programs such
as Girls on the Run, STRIDE and our youth sports leagues flourish.
It takes all of us to build a stronger community—and we can’t thank
you enough for being our partners in mission. Enclosed, you’ll read about
just a few of the ways we impact our community each year. Because of you,
thousands of lives are touched by the mission of the YMCA and our community
grows stronger each and every day. You make it possible. Thank you.
With gratitude,
Denise L. Day
President and CEO

Helping kids
put their best
foot forward
Girls on the Run (GOTR) and STRIDE are so much more than just
running. The 5K challenge is the culmination of a 10-week training
program that leverages running to encourage lifelong health and
fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. It takes
dedication and heart to make this program happen—just ask the
more than 200 volunteer coaches!
Twice a week during the 10-week seasons, volunteer coaches like
Will Wood (who has been a STRIDE coach for nine seasons!) led
roundtable discussions with the kids in the program focused on
character building, self-confidence, conflict resolution and more.
“I’m overwhelmed by the opportunity to watch the boys I coach do
something incredible. I have coached other sports and been involved
in dozens of activities as a parent. None of them has made this big
of an impact on me or my family,” says Will.
2017 also marked the 10th Anniversary of Girls on the Run.
Since the inception of Girls on the Run in 2007, more than 11,000
girls have benefited from this amazing program that encourages
girls to develop self-respect, stay true to themselves and live free
from societal stereotypes.
Together, we will continue to help kids put their “best foot” forward
through programs like GOTR and STRIDE!
Environmental &
STEM Education
Understanding the many species with whom we share
the Earth is critical to preserving our environment.
The Environmental & STEM Education Complex at the
Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) makes that possible
every day.
Numerous programs including a Y Earth Service Corp,
stream and pond studies and birding are offered,
enabling kids to recognize the importance of caring
for the environment so that they can help preserve
it in the future. Families also learn about sustainable
agriculture by tracking the growth of food such as
lettuce, basil and arugula in hydroponic gardens.
Many studies have shown that kids eat healthier
when they understand that their food doesn’t just
come from the grocery store.
Last summer, teams from UMLY competed in
the World Series of Birding. During this annual
competition, participants worked to identify the
largest number of bird species in New Jersey within
24 hours. UMLY’s adult team, Band of Birders,
finished second place overall and UMLY’s high school
team, Roseate Sporkbills, finished fourth in their
division. Congrats to both teams!

7th Grade Initiative
Growing up in today’s world isn’t always easy; and adolescence, can be an
especially challenging time.
Research shows that 7th grade is a critical time in a young person’s life when
they are exposed to a variety of new conditions and influences, many of which
have been shown to increase the likelihood for unhealthy behaviors including
substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out and
violence. It is also during the early teen years that youth begin to
distance themselves from family and positive support systems in an
effort to create their own identity.
That’s why the YMCA of Greater Brandywine offers a free one-year
YMCA membership to all seventh-grade students in Chester County
through our seventh-grade initiative. With the membership, teens
can swim, play in our gyms, work out in our wellness centers under
staff supervision and participate in programs, classes and sports.
Last year, more than 1,100 kids took advantage of the membership,
with the Y helping them to develop healthy lifestyles, discover their
talents and build their confidence. Support for this program is raised
through our Chester County Corporate Championship golf tournament,
which is held in October each year.
YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and it is estimated that one in three adults is
pre-diabetic, putting them at significant risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Those who are pre-diabetic
are at a crucial point—with lifestyle changes, they have the power to delay or even stop the onset of
Type II Diabetes and the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help do just that.
This new program began last year and participants
have already experienced success. Within six months,
one dropped 40 pounds and another’s cholesterol
level dropped 116 points. Another shared, “In January,
I went to Universal Studios with the family and was
so large I could not fit on the roller coasters. It
was pretty depressing, even embarrassing. We just
returned from Busch Gardens in June where the whole
family—including me—rode every coaster in the park!”
New sessions begin several times a year, so if you
are interested in joining, contact Sharon Crosby,
Vice President of Membership & Program Development,
610-643-9622, ext. 2128.

A diagnosis of MS could be
debilitating, but not at the Y.
Though healthy throughout her life, Gina Daddazio, a member of the West
Chester Area YMCA, suddenly began falling during her workouts several years
ago. After seeing many doctors, she visited a neurologist, who diagnosed her
with multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS causes damage to the central nervous system and often results
in overwhelming fatigue, visual disturbances, altered sensations and
mobility challenges. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the
ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women
than men being impacted.
After realizing how helpful Total Body Resistance Exercise (TRX)
classes are in managing the disease, Gina became TRX certified and
is now offering a TRX class for those battling MS in our community.
TRX is a suspension-based workout that develops strength, balance,
flexibility and core stability—all of which are crucial for those living
with MS.
Being afflicted by MS means that Gina has a better idea than anyone
else of what can serve as an effective workout, which makes her the
perfect fit to lead and inspire her fellow MS patients through the
new class at the West Chester Area YMCA on Airport Road.
Closing the
Achievement Gap
Summer learning loss has
been shown to account
for two-thirds of the
academic achievement
gap between children
from low-income families and their peers. That’s why the YMCA of Greater
Brandywine implemented the Power Scholars Academy in collaboration with
Y USA and the national nonprofit, Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL).
The Power Scholars program is a five-week summer program that works
to close the achievement and opportunity gap through math and reading
instruction, while also fostering confidence through field trips and career
exploration. The 82 children who attended last year’s program increased
their reading level by a half month, as opposed to the usual two month
summer learning loss. In 2017, the program more than doubled in size—
serving 168 students in both Coatesville and Oxford.
There is no cost to attend the program for those who qualify thanks to
funds raised by individual donors, corporations, and foundation grants.

Saving Lives through SPLASH!
Teaching children how to be safe around water is
not a luxury; it is a necessity. Accidental drowning
is the leading cause of death in children 1 to 4
years old, and the second leading cause of death in
children 5 to 14 years old. Most drowning deaths are
preventable which is why the YMCA is committed to
offering free “Safety Around Water” courses to youth
and adults.
Led by trained YMCA staff, attendees learn essentials
such as what to do if they unexpectedly find
themselves in the water and how to assist or get
help if they see someone else struggling in the water.
They also learn basic swimming skills. More than
1,700 children, as well as many adults, attend these
classes at one of six branches of the YMCA of Greater
Brandywine.
With your support, our YMCA remains the most
accessible community resource to prevent drowning
and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.
Because of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and YOU,
all of this was possible in 2017!
$3.5 million awarded in direct financial assistance.
$
1,750
kids learned life-saving skills
at no cost, through our SPLASH!
Safety Around Water program.
11,915
individuals and families were
supported through our Financial
Assistance program.
784
people received food
baskets through our
Thanksgiving meals.
Volunteer or donate today!
2,069
tweens found mentorship
and healthier habits
through our
7th Grade Initiative.
2,092
children saw a brighter
holiday with our Angel Tree
gift giving initiative.
$1,332,774
was raised during our Annual Campagin,
with contributions from 2,744 donors.
2,421
children served through
our childcare programs.
4,041
children explored,
played and learned
new skills during
camp.
2,267
students learned about the earth, science and
conservation through our Environmental &
STEM eduction program.
$396,612
was received in program support
through 38 secured grants.
www.ymcagbw.org

YMCA OF GREATER BRANDYWINE
One East Chestnut Street, West Chester, PA 19380
Be sure to mark your calendar and join us at our annual campaign dinners!
• Upper Main Line YMCA – April 5, The Desmond Hotel, Malvern
• Kennett Area YMCA – April 12, DuPont Country Club
• West Chester Area YMCA – April 26, The Desmond Hotel, Malvern
• Brandywine YMCA – May 2, The Barn at Stoneybrooke
• Jennersville YMCA – May 10, Hartefeld National
• Lionville Community YMCA – May 17, Downingtown Country Club
Our Branches
BRANDYWINE YMCA
JENNERSVILLE YMCA
KENNETT AREA YMCA
OCTORARA PROGRAM CENTER
OSCAR LASKO YMCA
AND CHILDCARE CENTER
UPPER MAIN LINE YMCA
THANK YOU TO
ALL YMCA DONORS
AND VOLUNTEERS!
YMCA of Greater Brandywine 2017
Board of Directors*
Robert “Bob” Shope Chair
Kenneth Goddu Vice Chair
Amanda Cabot Secretary
Daryl Thomas Treasurer
Joseph Viscuso Past Chair
Miguel Alban
Jay Bellwoar
Patricia Brennan
Trish Faidiga
Chad Gobel
William Harral
Thomas Hogan
James Horn
Paul Kempinski
Sandra Knapp
Richard Luzzi
Donna Phillips
Michael Pia
Robert Rigg
Bridget Therriault
Don Tuohey
Donna Urian
LIONVILLE COMMUNITY YMCA
WEST CHESTER AREA YMCA
*As of December 31, 2017