By Barb Cronin,

Nonprofit organizations are often the overlooked backbone of local communities. Supporting causes that benefit the community as a whole, in addition to providing numerous programs and financial assistance, these important nonprofits are relied upon by many members of the community.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is one local nonprofit that provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in Chester County.

Partnering with local businesses is an integral part of the Y’s success helping those in need in the community. The generosity of these local businesses, both small and large, enables the Y to continue to do important work and provide programs for many in the community who would otherwise go without.

Some of these programs, like Believe and Achieve, Saturday Night Lights, Splash and summer camps, provide safe and positive environments for local youth to go after school, on weekends, and at times when they would otherwise be exposed to risky situations or be at home without supervision while their parents work.

Swim programs such as Splash; make swim lessons and water safety skills available to local youth who would otherwise have no access to these important and potentially life-saving programs.  This year alone, close to 2,000 children, received swim and water safety lessons in Chester County through the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and it’s dedicated community partners.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine currently works with 222 community partners to provide these important programs and opportunities to the local community.  QVC is one of the Y’s local community partners.

Joe Micucci, Global Broadcast Engineering Leader at QVC, explains the importance of this partnership with the Y,

“QVC is committed to supporting the communities where we do business, as well as help our team members achieve their personal health and wellness goals.   Given the Y’s mission focus on the pillars of positive youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, we are proud to work together in support of our community.”

These partnerships between local businesses and nonprofits like the Y are essential to continue to grow and support a community in which all thrive. When nonprofits and businesses come together with the good of the community as a mutual goal, all benefit.

Not only does the community benefit from these important partnerships but employees of the businesses do as well. Employees receive reduced membership fees and pay no joiner fees when their employers become community partners with the Y.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine welcomes businesses to join them in supporting programs for local community members and give their employees the first step to living healthier lives. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor contact Christina Wagoner at 610-643-9622, ext. 2133 or cwagoner@ymcagbw.org.

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The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a leading Chester County non-profit charity dedicated to strengthening community through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With more than 80,000 members at nine facilities, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine invites all people to participate in membership and programs, regardless of their ability to pay. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

You can find VISTA Today’s interview with the Y’s Denise Day right here.