The YMCA of Greater Brandywine, a non-profit organization comprised of eight YMCAs in Chester County (including the Brandywine YMCA, Jennersville YMCA, Kennett Area YMCA, Lionville Community YMCA, Octorara YMCA Program Center, Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center, Upper Main Line YMCA and West Chester Area YMCA), launched its Annual Campaign on March 1. With a goal of raising $1.25 million, the campaign will continue to ensure that everyone in Chester County has access to vital community programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Throughout our community, countless people know the Y. But there is so much more to the Y than one might think,” says Ken Goddu, Chair of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Board of Directors. “The Y is more than a gym and a pool – we are a non-profit organization that exists to serve ALL in our community. We are dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the community’s health and well-being, and giving back and providing support to our neighbors.”

The Y’s Annual Campaign supports financial assistance programs that inspire, protect and empower ALL in Chester County, regardless of ability to pay. Last year alone, more than $3.4 million in financial assistance was granted to 11,745 Chester County residents, providing them with access to YMCA membership, summer camp, swimming lessons, sports, childcare and more.

For people like Kelly Guzman, a single mother who was going through a tough time, the YMCA was a life preserver. “The Y helped ease my stress by providing my daughter with a beautiful summer at camp,” recalls Kelly. “I didn’t know what I was going to do with my daughter for the summer. At times, I didn’t even have lunch for her and the Y helped me out by providing her with lunch. One of the employees reassured me every day that everything was going to be ok. I cannot thank the Y enough.”

Thanks to community support for the Annual Campaign, the Y has the resources to help kids, like Kelly’s daughter, develop the positive values, behaviors and skills they need to become healthy, confident and caring adults.

In addition, funds raised through the Y’s Annual Campaign, support programs such as:

• Power Scholars, a five-week summer learning program that works to close the achievement gap and serves more than 150 kids each year at no cost to them or their families
   
• Believe & Achieve, a fully-subsidized program providing afterschool enrichment and summer camp for children who are from low-income households
   
• Splash! Safety Around Water, which teaches more than 1,700 children in Chester County how to be safe in and around water at no cost to them or their families
   
• Seventh Grade Initiative, which provides all Chester County seventh-graders with a one-year YMCA membership at no cost to them or their families

Contributions to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign are tax-deductible and 100% of all donations support individuals in need in Chester County. Donations can be made online. If you are interested in making a corporate donation or would like additional information, contact Mission Advancement at missionadvancement@ymcagbw.org.

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