First Friday: May 2022

Child posing in super hero cape and mask

Everyone Can Be A Hero

At the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, we are committed to ensuring that all offerings - health and wellness offerings, youth programs, childcare, summer camp and more - remain affordable and accessible. 

In 2021, we awarded more than $1.8 million in financial assistance impacting 6,674 individuals and families in our community. This would not have been possible without the support of the many generous donors that give to the Y through our Annual Campaign

This year the theme of our Annual Campaign is Superheroes! We believe that anyone can be a superhero and make an impact on the lives of their neighbors by providing them the gift of health, community and engagement through a donation to the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. 

Across the YMCA of Greater Brandywine association: 

  • 1 out of every 6 members receives financial assistance to support their YMCA membership and healthy living goals.  
  • 1 out of every 6 summer campers receives financial assistance to allow them the chance to attend camp and stay active and engaged during summer break.  
  • 1 out of every 7 children at our childcare locations receive financial assistance to allow their families to afford safe, enriching care.  
  • More than 2,000 seventh graders received free memberships as part of our 7th Grade Initiative*. 

Our Annual Campaign not only provides financial assistance to families, but it also helps us to support important initiatives that make our community healthier; including two that occur in May: Water Safety Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.  

In recognition of Water Safety Month, the Jennersville YMCA will provide free Safety Around Water programming later this month to the entire second grade at Octorara Primary Education Center. 

We are also offering a free Introduction to Mindfulness for Wellbeing course, as a part of Mental Health Awareness Month, to help the community learn stress reduction techniques and other important skills to support their mental health. We have also committed to training our summer camp staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid to help them respond to the mental health needs of our youngest members.  

None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our donors who contribute to our Annual Campaign. We are working towards our goal of raising over $1 million to continue serving everyone in our community.  

Thank you for your ongoing support of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and remember anyone can be a superhero! 

Sincerely, 

DD Sig

President & CEO

YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Category: Newsletters