At the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, we are proud to stand For All—which means creating spaces where every individual feels valued, connected, and at home. This September, we are honored to celebrate both Welcoming Week and Hispanic Heritage Month as part of our ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Below you'll find activities and events that our YGBW teams have put together to celebrate our community.
Food Drive Collection 🥫
September 8 through October 10, 2025
YGBW, with the Chester County Food Bank will be collecting non-perishable items (no glass, no expired items). Learn more.
🌟Coatesville YMCA
Wednesday, September 17, 3 to 5PM
Our Coatesville YMCA will be doing a service project with Cradles to Crayons. We'll be hosting a two-hour sorting event to help organize donated toys and clothes for local families. Members can drop off donations on the day of the sorting event! Sign up to Volunteer or review the list of Accepted Items for Cradles to Crayons.
Throughout Welcoming Week
- We'll feature our Welcome Map with Pins to learn where our community is from.
- Our Pre-K classes will be able to color welcoming sheets in our Cafe
- We'll have a Recipe Book for Members for Hispanic Heritage Month
🌟Jennersville YMCA
Throughout Welcoming Week
- Learn about Hispanic/Latino historical figures. Stories will be posted in the lobby and hallway
- We'll have staff and members contribute to a recipe book that will be available for everyone
- Pre-K Counts and Pre-School will participate in activities to celebrate diverse Hispanic backgrounds, such as coloring maps, regional dishes, traditional clothing
- Pop-up class of Zumba
- Movie nights in Theatre featuring Coco and Encanto
🌟Kennett Area YMCA
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 - 14
Our Kennett Area YMCA team will be at the Kennett Hispanic Festival. Our team will have translators on site to help answer any questions.
Tuesday, September 16
We'll have local Hispanic food trucks on site! Come hungry!
Throughout Welcoming Week
- Our Childcare team will be teaching heritage through food during welcoming week
- Don't miss our Spanish Dancers from Kennett that will perform in our lobby
- A Local Hispanic Bakery is providing treats in our cafe are for members
🌟Lionville Community YMCA
Throughout Welcoming Week
- We'll feature our Welcome Map with Pins to learn where our community is from
- Our Pre-K classes will be able to color welcoming sheets
- We'll have a Recipe Book for Members for Hispanic Heritage Month
- Our CELC parents will be helping with singing Spanish songs and telling stories
🌟Octorara YMCA and Program Center
Throughout Welcoming Week
- We'll have Pre-K Counts and Pre-School activities to celebrate diverse Hispanic backgrounds, such as coloring maps, regional dishes, traditional clothing
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Our Before and After School students will be learning about the Mendez Family
- We'll have Welcome Week color sheets in the front lobby
- Our PreK classrooms and BASE students will learn about the achievements and contributions of Latinos to American history
🌟Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center
Throughout Welcoming Week
- Our Childcare students will be able to place pins on a map to learn about where each other is from
- Keep your eyes peeled if you're in our Gymnastics or Ninja Programs for a Scavenger Hunt
- For Hispanic Month: Our staff will be working to put together recipe cards to share with our community
🌟Upper Main Line YMCA
Throughout Welcoming Week
- Our Childcare students will participate in lessons that promote Hispanic Heritage
- Child Watch will feature a craft honoring Hispanic Heritage during our upcoming Parents Night Out
- We'll have a lobby display of family-friendly books and arts & crafts that highlight Hispanic Heritage
🌟West Chester Area YMCA
Throughout Welcoming Week
- Stop by out Lobby during Welcoming Week for a festive celebration! We'll have:
- Welcoming kits with YMCA merch, schedules and information
- Hispanic Heritage activities, such as having cultural books and music
- PLUS: recipes and foods to taste