2018 YGBW Impact Newsletter-web

YMCA OF GREATER BRANDYWINE
1 East Chestnut Street, West Chester, PA 19380
FOR A
BETTER US
Volunteer or donate today!
www.ymcagbw.org
Generously
SUPPORTING
our community
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine was awarded
more than $600,000 in grants in the first 10
months of 2018. The grants support key programs
such as our Earth Service Corps, Power Scholars,
summer camp experiences, swimming lessons, and
LIVESTRONG, as well as providing financial assistance
to those who are unable to pay the standard rates
for YMCA memberships and programs. Grant funds
have also be used to hire needed staff and invest in
the capital improvement of our branch facilities,
both of which allow us to better serve our members.
We are incredibly grateful to the many organizations
who generously support our work and help us make
a greater impact on our community.
THANK YOU TO ALL
YMCA DONORS
AND VOLUNTEERS!
YMCA of Greater Brandywine 2018
Board of Directors
Miguel Alban
Brenda Allen
Jay Bellwoar
Patti Brennan
Amanda Cabot
Trish Faidiga
Al Fuller
Tom Gavin
Chad Gobel
William Harral
Tom Hogan
James T. Horn
Paul Kempinski
Sanda Knapp
Kenneth M. Goddu
Chair
Rich Luzzi
Randy McCullough
Tiffany McPeak
Jim Mercante
Donna Phillips
Robert E. Rigg
Amer Sajed
Randy Schauer
Robert Shope
Bridget Therriault
Daryl Thomas
Don Tuohey
Donna Urian
Joseph Viscuso
YMCA OF GREATER BRANDYWINE • www.ymcagbw.org
BUILDING COMMUNITY,
TRANSFORMING LIVES FOR ALL
DEAR FRIENDS,
We want to thank you for helping to make 2018
one of the best years ever for delivery on the YMCA
of Greater Brandywine’s mission promise!
It is through your generosity—whether that be
your donation of time, talent or treasure—that we
are able to turn our cause of strengthening the
foundations of our community into reality.
So far this year, your support has enabled us to
teach more than 1,800 children how to be safe
in and around water—at no cost to them or their
families. We’ve provided financial assistance to
more than 10,000 people so that they can access
all the benefits of the YMCA—including childcare,
swim lessons, summer camp and more. In addition,
more than 1,200 seventh-graders are enjoying
complimentary YMCA memberships during a critical
time in their development thanks to your support
of our Seventh Grade Initiative.
Moreover, the countless volunteer hours you have
provided—whether it be coaching youth sports
or in our Girls of the Run and STRIDE programs,
reading to children in our childcare programs,
serving on YMCA boards and committees or
organizing food or blood drives proves what a
strong community we have. Thank you!
As we head into this season of giving, please
consider helping us to finish the year strong by
donating to the YMCA. Whether your donation
comes in the form of lending your time and
talent for any number of our causes, a monetary
donation so that we can help even more who need
us or by sharing your treasure through the Holiday
Angels program, we value your support and the
significant impact it has on our community.
Enclosed is just a sampling of how community
support allows us to make a difference and build
community throughout Chester County.
Kenneth M. Goddu
Board Chair
Denise L. Day
President & CEO

HELPING
teens through
adolescence
Michael’s mom, Lisa, was worried. Michael was going into third grade
but reading at a first grade level. When Lisa learned of the YMCA of
Greater Brandywine’s Power Scholars program, she quickly enrolled
Michael. This five-week summer program works to close the achievement
gap by offering math and reading instruction and fostering
social growth through field trips and career exploration.
The program is offered at no cost to the children and
their families, with the YMCA raising all needed funds.
The YMCA team worked closely with Michael during the
program, and today, his mom reports that he is reading
on grade level and has even joined the wresting
team at his school! More
than 160 children
completed our Power
Scholars program
this summer.
Growing up in today’s world
isn’t always easy, especially
once kids begin their teenage
years. That’s why the YMCA
of Greater Brandywine began
Saturday Night Lights and the
Seventh Grade Initiative. Both
support kids in developing
healthy habits and lifestyles
during a crucial time in their
lives. The Seventh Grade
Initiative provides seventhgraders
with a complimentary
YMCA membership, while
Saturday Night Lights offers
a safe place on Saturday
nights for kids in grades 4-12
to hang out with friends,
shoot hoops, play board
games, swim and more. Close
to 2,000 teens and tweens
benefited from this YMCA
program just this year.
REACHING new heights
number
of children
served:
162
*as
Making an impact
In addition to being in shock,
Maureen Hill worried how
she would care for her three
young children when she was
diagnosed with stage 2 breast
cancer. Her needed treatment,
which included chemotherapy,
would zap her energy just when
her children were home from
school for summer break.
Maureen, who teaches swim
lessons part-time at the Y,
shared her concerns with a
co-worker, who alerted the
team at the YMCA. They
stepped in to help by providing
Maureen’s children with
scholarships to attend the
entire summer of camp—
thanks to donations to the
YMCA’s Annual Campaign.
THERE in her time of need
“
I would like to thank the
YMCA for all of your help
and kind words. As you
are aware, I am going
through a tough time and
you all have helped ease
Take a look
my stress by providing
my daughter with a very LIVING life
beautiful summer at camp.
I am a single mother and
to the fullest
was not sure how I was
Active older adults are an essential part
going to entertain her
of our community; and this year, more than
8,000 seniors enjoyed YMCA memberships.
for the summer. At times,
I didn’t even have lunch
In addition
for her and the Y helped
number of senior to offerings
me out by providing her members in 2018 * : such as pickle
with lunch. One of your
8,664
ball, many
branches have
employees reassured me
added bridge
every day that everything clubs, bingo, line dancing, senior social series
and more. Active older adults are important
was going to be ok!
members of our community and certainly keep
everyone on their toes, while giving us all
~ Kelly Guzman, Parent inspiration to aspire to!
of October 31, 2018
At 69, Robert Antonio learned to
swim after having experienced a
near-drowning incident as a child.
(l to r) Eleanor Sauler, 89, Jean
Weller, 94, and Jessica Young, 86
met at the Y and attend exercise
classes together three times a week.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for
the Y,” says Jean.
“What a relief that I would
have help with this big job of
caring for and entertaining my
children. Thank you—not only
for the gift itself, but for the
way it was granted with respect
and grace. I hope that sharing
my story will help everyone
understand that magic happens
at our Y because of the
generosity of so many who
donate,” says Maureen, who is
cancer free today!
number of
individuals who
received financial
assistance in 2018 * :
10,463
At 93, Bernice “Nicki” Smith takes
the train to the Community College of
Philadelphia, where she has taught for
more than 50 years, and tutors students.
On the other three days of the week,
she takes water exercise classes at the Y.

WATERPROOFING Chester County
number of children
served through
Safety Around Water:
1,808
number of children
who took YMCA
swim lessons:
5,511
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental
death in children 1-4 years old, and the
second leading cause of accidental death in
children 5-14. That’s why the YMCA offers its
Splash! Safety Around Water program, which
enabled more than 1,800 kids to learn how to
be safe in and around water at no cost this year.
Second-grader Gavin attended the program after
a near drowning experience, and this was his
first time in the water since. An instructor
who had seen Gavin’s ability grow during the
program, challenged him to jump into water
more than four feet deep, turn around and
reach for the wall. On the first try, he jumped
in and never let go of the wall. But, on the second try, he jumped in, turned around
and climbed out of the pool completely on his own!
The Y partners with more than 10 local school districts, as well as some churches
and private schools, to bring second through fifth grade children onsite for this
program. We’re able to provide this program thanks to generous sponsors including
WSFS, NSM, Oxford Plumbing and Heating, Phillips Mushrooms, James Hamilton and
Hostetter Grain. In addition to the children served through Safety Around Water,
more than 5,500 children took formal swimming lessons at the Y this year.
“
But, on the
second try, Gavin
didn’t hold back.
He jumped in,
turned around
and climbed
out of the pool
completely on
his own!
LIFE-CHANGING Transformations
Until this year, Jesse, who has autism, had never
attended public school. But that all changed
when Jesse befriended Braden at the YMCA in the
special needs adaptive swim program. Through the
boys, Jesse’s mom, Kristi, and Braden’s mom, Anne,
became friends. Anne then helped Kristi navigate
enrolling a child with special needs in the school
system—and as a result,
Kristi was able to enroll Braden this
year! Jesse’s therapist credits the
swim program at the Y as the
reason Jesse was able to start this
new chapter in his life.
Jesse on his first day of public school
BORN TO BE ON STAGE
At 12, Karlyn Morgan’s diversabilities
never stopped her from participating
in all the activities at the YMCA. This
past summer, she attended our summer
camp program, but her passion is with our
theater program. Over the past five years,
she has been in six of the Jennersville
YMCA’s youth theater productions!
Karlyn Morgan in the Jennersville YMCA’s
production of Peter Pan
BRINGING community
members together
More than 200 people attended a panel discussion
on the use of sacred texts hosted by the Lionville
Community YMCA and the Chester County Interfaith
Action Community in September.
Moderated by Lionville Community YMCA Executive
Director Rick Reigner, religious leaders from the
Catholicism, Judaism, Islamic and Hindu faiths
reviewed how sacred texts are used in their
teachings. A question and answer period followed.
Panelists included Rabbi John Cutler of Beth Israel
Congregation of Chester County, Reverend Monsignor
Thomas M. Mullen of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church,
Ejaz Sabir of Islamic Society of Chester County and
Achal Verma of Hari Om Mandir.
“The YMCA is committed to ensuring all in our
communities feel welcomed,” said Reigner. “People
of all ages, shapes, sizes, cultures and backgrounds
come together at the YMCA. Taking the time to
understand one another is critical to building a strong
community and this event is just one way we are
working to bring all in our community together.”
The panel was coordinated by the Lionville Community
Diversity, Inclusion and Global Innovation Network,
a team of volunteers at the Lionville YMCA who
have made a commitment to integrate diversity into
the community and their everyday lives to foster a
better world.
Because of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and YOU,
all of this was possible in 2018!
$3 million* awarded in direct financial assistance.
10,463 *
$ 3,977
individuals and families were
supported through our Financial
Assistance program.
162
children attended Power Scholars.
2,271 *
children served through our
childcare, early learning and
before & after school programs.
Volunteer or donate today!
1,245
tweens found mentorship
and healthier habits
through our
7th Grade Initiative.
$1.4 million*
has been raised through our Annual Campaign,
with contributions from 2,854 donors.
*as of October 31, 2018
2,970 *
individuals served through our
Environmental & STEM programs.
children explored,
played and learned
new skills during
camp.
603 *
tweens and teens offered
a safe haven through our
Saturday Night Lights programs.
www.ymcagbw.org/donatenow