We welcome all people regardless of ability, age, background, ethnicity/race, faith, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is an inclusive organization open to all and believes that, in a diverse world, we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.


Organizational Commitment:  
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is committed to ensuring equity and justice for ALL. We work to promote a culture of equity, free from bias and injustice. We strive to achieve equal access.  We are committed to resolving inequities and removing institutional barriers that limit the ability of all people to develop their full potential.


Guiding Principles of YMCA of Greater Brandywine DEI Work: 

  • Recognize and value all dimensions of diversity (Diversity Wheel)
  • Champion multicultural understanding and the development of globally minded YGBW leaders at home and abroad (Global)
  • Understand the needs and wants of all segments of our community; develop solutions that ensure the greatest possible inclusion (Inclusion)
  • Apply an asset-based approach to engage and serve all stakeholders 
  • Lead interpersonal and community engagement with empathy 
  • Connect and build bridges between diverse individuals, groups and communities 
  • Promote the safe exchange of ideas, beliefs and perspectives at the local level
  • Deep commitment to share with staff, members and the community through learning exchanges, volunteerism and philanthropy 

 

40% of the population today represent BIPOC (Black, Indigenous people of color) backgrounds

1 in 4 kids under age 6 are the children of immigrants

43.1 million people are living in poverty in the U.S.

Millennials are now the largest generation in U.S. history

19% of Americans live with disabilities

9 million U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, as of 2018

Advancing Equity for All

We are committed to ensuring everyone reaches their full potential with dignity. While we haven’t always lived up to that inclusive vision, we have been on a steady journey toward making that powerful aspiration a reality for everyone in the communities we serve.

Today, we recognize that in order to be truly “for all,” we need to lead with equity. That means working with local and global partners to identify and remove the barriers that historically have prevented some of those in our communities from thriving, while ensuring that each individual can access the unique support they need.

Why do you do business with certain companies when their values don't align with yours?

By nature of welcoming all in our community, we seek to collaborate and work with a variety of people and organizations with a variety of viewpoints. We value and respect diversity of belief - provided that differences are expressed in a respectful way, as part of a productive dialogue. 

Our policies are guided by the YMCA core values of caring, responsibility, honesty and respect. We continually audit our member code of conduct, vendor relationships and partnerships against these values. If you have a concern that you would like to share, please report it to our leadership team by emailing us at info@ymcagbw.org.

How do you determine the facility closure schedule?

When modifying our operating schedule, we carefully weigh many factors, including employee benefits and facility usage. We will continue to evaluate our holiday schedule annually.  

Ladies swimming at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Non-Discrimination Policy

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine embraces values and beliefs which support and reflect the inclusion and appreciation of all individuals, regardless of race, color, physical or mental ability (including use of a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog), religion, creed, medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, veteran status, marital status, domestic partnership status, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and provider of services to the community.

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