Welcoming Week 2019

We believe our community is stronger when everyone feels welcome and we work together for the common good. Celebrated annually at the YMCA, Welcoming Week is a chance for neighbors—both immigrants and U.S. born residents—to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.

From September 12 - 24, 2019 - all branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine will celebrate Welcoming Week 2019. Ongoing activities are planned such as:

• Music from a variety of countries will be played during some group exercise classes.
• In many of our Childcare and Early Learning Centers, as well as our Before and After School care programs, students will enjoy special crafts, activities and foods from around the world. Volunteers will also read to the children.
• Special displays showing where YMCA members are from and how to say “friend” in other languages will be available.

In addition, be sure to enjoy the following special events.

• Film Screening | 6 pm - 7:30 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  “Welcome to Shelbyville,” a movie that grapples with rapidly changing demographics in the south, will be shown. Refreshments will be served following the film. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• World Celebration Day | 10:00 am -1:00 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Join us for a celebration of cultures where a variety of countries will be represented. Try your luck at our international fruit guessing challenge and tasting or get crafty at our arts and crafts tables. Check out our World Cup goal shoot out or Bocce Ball, enjoy dance and musical performances and more! Bring a food dish that celebrates your culture and join us for a potluck lunch in the café from noon to 1 pm. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• International Dance Day | 11:00 am | Lionville Community YMCA
  Learn dances from all over the world in our Group Exercise studio. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Boating Safety Event | 4 pm–8 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  A tabletop presentation by the Wilmington Sail and Power Squadron, explaining vessel safety, demonstrating the appropriate use of Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s) and marine knot tying. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Deaf Community Open House | 6:30 pm–7:30 pm | Kennett Area YMCA
  Sign language and/or Deaf Interpreters will be on hand to assist with questions and branch tours. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Kindness Rock Garden | 10:00 am – noon & 4 pm - 6 pm | West Chester Area YMCA
  Paint a rock with inspirational sayings focusing on inclusivity and kindness to be included in our fast growing rock garden. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Soccer Skills Challenge | 5 pm - 7 pm | Brandywine YMCA
  Since the YMCA and the sport of soccer were both created in England, what better way to celebrate Welcoming Week than with a soccer skills challenge that will test the dribbling, passing and shooting of the young athletes in our community! All YMCA GBW members and the public, ages 7 and up, are invited.
   
• Film Screening | 6 pm – 8 pm | Kennett Area YMCA
  The documentary, “On the Way to School” will be shown. The film tells the story of four students from different parts of the world who travel long distances to attend school. The film is suitable for all ages; however, it is in French with English subtitles. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited. 
   
• Deaf Community Open House | 6:30 pm–7:30 pm | Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center
  Sign language and/or Deaf Interpreters will be on hand to assist with questions and branch tours. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Open House & Tour Night for the Community | 4 pm–7 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Meet staff, members and friends at UMLY’s Open House. This is the best way to learn more about our programs, as well as pick up schedules, take a tour, get your questions answered and see all that UMLY has to offer. There is something for everyone! All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Boating Safety Event | 4 pm–8 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  A tabletop presentation by the Wilmington Sail and Power Squadron, explaining vessel safety, demonstrating the appropriate use of Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s) and marine knot tying. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Multicultural Night | 5 pm-7 pm | Brandywine YMCA
  Members are invited to share their music, artifacts, traditions and foods. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Deaf Community Open House | 6:30 pm–7:30 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  Sign language and/or Deaf Interpreters will be on hand to assist with questions and branch tours. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Climate Change | 7 pm–8:30 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  Join us for a presentation by Richard Whiteford and discussion on the science of climate change in the community room. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Service Project | 7:15 pm–8 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Join us in helping Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter by packing lunches or donating non-perishable food and/or household products on site at the  Y. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Cultural Potluck | 12:00 PM | Jennersville YMCA
  A time to share food and conversation with Active Older Adults in the Enrichment Studio. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited. 
   
• International Arts & Crafts | 5 pm–7 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun of creating art and crafts from around the world. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• International Dance Night | 5:30 pm–8 pm | West Chester Area YMCA
  With International flags hung in the gym and international cuisine and a pot luck meal, the Senior Prom will run 5:30-6:30, followed by the Family Intergenerational Dance, 6:30-8. Bring a dish to share! All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Community Celebration | 6 pm–8 pm | Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center
  Join us for a night celebrating our community! There will be food from around the world, music, crafts, performances, demonstrations and more! All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• ALL Abilities International Dance Party | 7 pm–8 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Join us for a night of celebration with dancing to music from around the world. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.
   
• Film Screening | 6:30 pm-8:30 pm | Jennersville YMCA
  The documentary, “8 Borders, 8 Days” will be shown. The 60-minute film follows a fierce, resourceful mother willing to risk her children’s lives for a better future. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Service Project | 9 am - noon | Jennersville YMCA
  Join us in a community service project at Project C.U.R.E. Registration is required. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited. 
   
• Hawk Migration Watch & Raptor Presentation | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Join our birding naturalists to observe the fall migration flight of falcons, hawks, and eagles as these birds of prey head south, connecting Berwyn with Central and South America. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

• Multi-faith Youth Panel Discussion | 2 pm–4:30 pm | Lionville Community YMCA
  Join the discussion on religious inclusion, led by youth speakers from several Chester County religious institutions, including Christian, Hindu and Muslim congregations. All YMCA GBW members and the public are invited.

Tuesday, September 24

• Teen Forum | 5 pm - 6 pm | Upper Main Line YMCA
  Teen discussion on Diversity and Inclusion. You do not need to be a member, but registration is required. Please contact Ruby Abouraya if interested in attending.