Taylor Kassel is stepping in to her new role as the Branch Director of Operations at the Oscar Lasko YMCA (OLY). She will be responsible for overseeing daily operations at OLY and work to extend the Y’s reach into the local community.

“I am proud of all the ways that the Y reaches out to the community,” said Taylor. “I especially love working with community partners to help those in need. It’s energizing to see how much impact we have when we all work together.”

Taylor recently worked with the Friends Association in West Chester, which has a shelter located close to Oscar Lask for families experiencing homelessness. Through this partnership, the Y provided memberships to families living in the shelter.

The cost of these memberships were subsidized through donations. As part of its Financial Assistance Program, the YMCA also offers a sliding scale for membership fees and program costs. The cost to the member is determined by household income and supported by donors, sponsors and community partners.

Kassel worked with the YMCA since 2015, starting as Sports Director at OLY before serving as Senior Youth Development Director from 2018 to 2023. Through every role, she approached her work with joy, passion and incredible diligence – drawing inspiration from the Y’s mission and the rock-solid community in West Chester.

Back in 2009, YMCA leadership planned to close the doors of OLY – welcoming a new YMCA on Airport Road. But the community banded together and found a way to keep OLY open as an important resource for people of all ages and backgrounds, especially for those in downtown West Chester who are unable to travel to nearby YMCA branches.
 

“I love seeing the youth grow within our programs and at the same time being able to provide a place where our seniors can continue their health journey,” said Taylor.

She proudly serves the community that she was first introduced to as a child and YMCA program participant, then as a staff member and now as a mother – bringing her two children to work with her each day to continue the tradition.
 

Learn more about the Oscar Lasko YMCA on YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s website.

Oscar Lasko YMCA.