YMCA Inspiration and Impact Report - 2019

YMCA OF GREATER
BRANDYWINE
INSPIRATION
&IMPACT
AT THE YMCA

BUILDING COMMUNITY, TRANSFORMING
FOR A

LIVES AT THE Y
DEAR FRIENDS,
Thank you for making 2019 another successful
year in delivering the YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s
mission promise!
As you read the stories of some of those whose lives
have been changed for the better at the YMCA this
year, we hope you are as inspired as we are. There
is the student who found his calling after finding his
voice, thanks to our Youth and Government program;
the mother and daughter who found acceptance and
integration in our childcare program; and the senior
who turned his life around, finding a healthier lifestyle
through the Y.
So far this year, your support has enabled us to provide
financial support to more than 10,000 people so that
they can access all the benefits of the YMCA, like the
family who lost so much after a cancer diagnosis, or the
girl who was being bullied, but found her courage and
confidence in our Power Scholars program.
LL
During this season of giving, please help 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 or a monetary
donation so that we
can help even more
who need us, we
value your support
and the significant
impact it has on our
community.
Thank you!
Kenneth M. Goddu
Board Chair
Denise L. Day
President & CEO

Teaching
ACCEPTANCE
Paisley Minor is a
two-year-old who
was born with a rare
condition called tibial
hemimelia, which
caused her to have
both legs amputated
in February.
Paisley joined the toddler class at the Brandywine
YMCA and was quickly accepted. “The teachers
learned about Paisley’s disability and integrated
her, as well as helped the other toddlers learn
about and accept Paisley’s uniqueness,” shares
her mother Paige, a Major in the U.S. Marines.
“Paisley does not feel like she is different,” Paige
continues, “and, in five months, she was taking
some steps on her own!”
Paisley is a joyful child, making friends with staff
at the front desk and members who share the
therapy pool with her, but her greatest gift to the
Y may be helping others become more accepting
of people of ALL abilities, which she is doing just
from her presence.
As Paige sees how accepting the Brandywine
YMCA community is of Paisley, she notes that it
is “time to teach people! Acceptance of people
and their differences is what the world needs
right now.”
Paisley
Minor
WATCH
THE VIDEO!

LIFE CHANGES
lead to a healthier
life and community
Joseph Amore suffers from labile blood pressure,
meaning his blood pressure could jump to
dangerously high levels or drop to dangerously low
levels at any moment. It causes him to fall … a lot.
It was after one of those falls that his three sons
insisted he move closer to them, so last January
Joseph and his wife moved to Thorndale, PA.
Joseph joined the Brandywine YMCA after sitting
around his new place for a couple of weeks. “I had
to do something,” he recalls. “Just sitting around
the apartment was not going to work!”
He began doing water aerobics five mornings a
week. “I really look forward to my daily routine. I
get up at 8 am, go to the Y to work out in the pool
and see friends I have met since coming here,”
says Joseph. Ten months after joining, he lost 30
pounds and set a new goal of dropping to under
200 pounds.
“I’m healthy and happy now,” Joseph says with a
big grin. “And the best news is I haven’t fallen at
all since moving here! I love the Brandywine YMCA.
It is so friendly, so nice. And, they host monthly
lunches for us retired folks, where I’ve met even
more people.”
Joseph
Amore

BEATING THE ODDS
with the help of the Y
Veronica Sanchez was diagnosed with Stage 4
lung cancer in August 2017. Given eight months to
a year to live, the wife and mother of two knows
she is living on borrowed time. “I want to spend as
much time with my kids as I can, but with the side
effects of my medication, there aren’t many places
where that is possible,” says Veronica.
The hardships this family has faced since the
diagnosis, include moving out of their two-story
home because of physical challenges, losing 40%
of their belongings when their rental property
flooded out and Veronica losing her nursing job
when the doctor she worked for retired.
“We have tried to do everything ourselves,”
Veronica continues. “But with being unemployed
since December and the cost of my medication,
it’s not easy financially.”
Veronica and her family received a reduced rate on
their YMCA membership through the YMCA’s financial
assistance program, which is funded by donations.
“When I came into the Upper Main Line YMCA,”
Veronica shares, “it was so nice to feel that it
wasn’t wrong to ask for help. Everyone has made us
feel as though we are friends they want to help.”
As Veronica continues to beat the odds, she shares,
“When you’re a mom, getting up in the morning is
not an option. The Y has given me a chance to do
something for my children and they are so happy
when we are together.”
The More You Know ...
A study by the American Journal of Medicine found that 42%
of new cancer patients or their families lost their life savings in
two years because of treatment. The average amount a cancer
patient or their family lost was more than $92,000.
Pictured above: Veronica Sanchez with her family

INSPIRING OTHERS
Owen Jones is
now 10 years
old, but prior to
his birthday in
September, his
random act of
kindness inspired
others to join his
generosity and
pay it forward.
Owen with Patti Brennan,
President & CEO of Key Financial, Inc. At the Kennett
Area YMCA’s summer camp, Owen discovered a
fellow camper whose family had fallen on tough
times and could not afford lunch, so Owen and his
mother brought the camper lunch every day. He
explained, “I thought if we helped support them,
then when we need help someone would support us.”
Others joined Owen in his #10for10 campaign and
helped him pay it forward by donating just $10 in
honor of his 10th birthday on September 3. “I think
all kids should have the opportunity to go to summer
camp,” Owen said, “because they can make new
friends and experience new opportunities.”
Owen’s campaign raised almost $7,000, including
a check from Key Financial, Inc. for $2,160,
matching the total he had raised at that point.
“There are a lot of people in our community that
need help,” said Patti Brennan, President and
CEO of Key Financial, Inc. “Thank you, Owen, for
WATCH
setting such a good example.”
THE VIDEO!
WATCH
THE VIDEO!
#10for10
campaign
Gaining confidence and
LIFE SKILLS
“Six years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to stand in front of you
like I am today,” said Kristian Williamson, as he addressed a room
of more than 100 people at the Brandywine YMCA’s Annual Dinner.
When Kristian was asked to join the YMCA’s Youth and Government
program five years ago, he hesitated. “I was unsure because I
didn’t have much confidence in myself,” he said. But he took a
chance and joined the program, saying everyone kept pushing him
to learn more and share his opinion.
“Now, five years later, I’m a senior at Coatesville High School,
planning on applying to Princeton and Rutgers University to study
law,” said Kristian. “This program has improved my social skills
and my confidence, as well as my public speaking ability.”
The Y’s Youth and Government Program helps middle and high
school students develop into strong citizens and gives them the
opportunity to get involved with every aspect of our government.
Pictured above: Kristian Williamson
with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf

Opening doors to
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION
AND ACCEPTANCE
As one of 80 YMCAs that are considered Diversity, Inclusion
and Global Innovation YMCAs, the YMCA of Greater
Brandywine is committed to this work at all levels of our
association while working to ensure that everyone in our
community feels welcome.
High school students at the Lionville Community YMCA took
that message to heart as they led a multi-faith discussion on
their faith, beliefs, diversity and inclusion in the community.
“It was tremendous to hear how the students felt about the
secular school system, living in a materialistic world and
diversity clubs that can be created,” shared Melissa Schleyer,
Executive Assistant of the Lionville Community YMCA. “Most
of all they were thrilled to have a neutral ground where they
could share their thoughts, ideals and opinions. They were
happy to be heard.”
Attendee Bushra Qureshi also shared, “Thank you for organizing
this event and for inviting us to be part of it. The questions
were thought-provoking, giving us an opportunity to gain a
renewed appreciation for each other’s faith. I have not come
across another YMCA which is so focused on diversity!”
We hear you!
When staff at the Lionville Community YMCA heard
many members were traveling all the way to northern
New Jersey to play cricket, they started a league and
provided the necessary equipment to get it going. The
fast-growing sport is also being offered during a week of
summer camp at the Lionville Community YMCA in 2020.

“
Aika had the best summer of her
life. She got better with her studies
and the YMCA’s staff found a way
to truly reach her.
WATCH
~
WATCH
Michelle Muhammad, Aika’s mom
Experiencing the power of
POWER SCHOLARS
The Y’s Power Scholars Program is a five-week
summer program designed to tackle summer
learning loss in children entering first through
sixth grade, while also fostering physical, social
and emotional growth. For Aika Muhammad and
her family, the program has been a life-saver.
When the Muhammad family moved to Chester
County from the Deep South, eight-year-old Aika
was bullied in her new school, causing her to
retreat socially and academically.
For two years Aika struggled and rarely showed
glimpses of the girl she used to be. It was then she
was invited to participate in our Power Scholars
program, which the Y was able to offer at no cost
to the family, thanks to many generous donations.
“Aika had the best summer of her life,” says her
mother Michelle. “She got better with her studies
and the staff found a way to truly reach her and
tend to her needs, academically and socially. She
was able to turn her attitude toward academics
around and looked forward to the upcoming school
year – something she had never done before.”
THE VIDEO!
At school, Aika’s grades improved and she became
more comfortable talking to her teachers when
she had a problem. “She was out of her shell!”
says Michelle. “Now Aika regularly makes the
honor’s WATCH list and her younger sister Jamilah–also a
Power THE VIDEO! Scholars student-is on student council with
a mission to help other children in the school, just
like she sees with the staff at the YMCA.”
THE VIDEO!

OUR
Children served through
SPLASH!
SAFETY AROUND
WATER PROGRAM
1,663
SUMMER
DAY CAMP
PARTICIPANTS
3,867
POWER
SCHOLARS
PARTICIPANTS
173
COMMUNITY
IMPACT
Volunteer or donate today!
More than
$3 million*
awarded in direct financial assistance.
NATURE
& STEM
PARTICIPANTS
4,553
VOLUNTEERS
give their time and talents
to our YMCA Association
4,120 567
SENIOR
MEMBERS
9,469
tweens and teens were offered
a safe haven through the Y’s
SATURDAY
NIGHT LIGHTS
*as of October 31, 2019
2019
10,557
individuals and
families who received
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
1,180
tweens found mentorship &
healthier habits through our
7TH GRADE
INITIATIVE
2,156
CHILDCARE, EARLY LEARNING
AND BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL
ENRICHMENT PARTICIPANTS
ymcagbw.org/donatenow

Generously
SUPPORTING
our community
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine was awarded more
than $570,000 in grants in the first 10 months of 2019.
The grants support key programs such as our Earth
Service Corps, Power Scholars, summer camp, 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 been 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 2019
Board of
Directors
Kenneth M. Goddu
Chair
Miguel Alban
Brenda Allen
Jay Bellwoar
Patti Brennan
Amanda Cabot
Trish Faidiga
Al Fuller
William Harral
Tom Hogan
Steve Holman
James T. Horn
Sandra Knapp
Denise Lindsay
Rich Luzzi
Tiffany McPeak
Dave Mills
Donna Phillips
Robert E. Rigg
Charmaine Rochester
Meredith Sadoulet
Randy Schauer
Robert Shope
Bridget Therriault
Daryl Thomas
Don Tuohey
Donna Urian
Joseph Viscuso

Volunteer or donate today!
ymcagbw.org/donatenow
YMCA OF GREATER BRANDYWINE LOCATIONS
BRANDYWINE YMCA
295 Hurley Road
Coatesville, PA 19320
610-380-9622
JENNERSVILLE YMCA
880 W. Baltimore Pike
West Grove, PA 19390
610-869-9622
KENNETT AREA YMCA
101 Race Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-444-9622
LIONVILLE COMMUNITY YMCA
100 Devon Drive
Exton, PA 19341
610-363-9622
OCTORARA YMCA
PROGRAM CENTER
104 Highland Road, Suite 1
Atglen, PA 19310
610-593-9622
OSCAR LASKO YMCA
AND CHILDCARE CENTER
1 E. Chestnut Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-9622
UPPER MAIN LINE YMCA
1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road
Berwyn, PA 19312
610-647-9622
WEST CHESTER AREA YMCA
605 Airport Road
West Chester, PA 19380
610-431-9622