For more than 130 years, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine has been a fixture of Chester County life. What began in 1894 as a single branch in Coatesville serving young professionals during the industrial boom has grown into one of the region's most vital community organizations, operating nine YMCA locations, sixteen program centers, and one mobile wellness unit, serving nearly 112,000 people across Chester County and King of Prussia.
But YGBW is more than a place to swim and work out. It is one of Chester County's largest employers, contributing nearly $26 million annually to the local economy with more than 1,600 employees. It is Chester County's largest provider of licensed childcare, ensuring working families have access to quality early education. And in 2025 alone, it awarded $2.8 million in financial assistance so that people of all ages and backgrounds could access the services they need to thrive.
"Thriving people are the backbone of strong communities and a healthy economy," says Mary Curcio, Vice President of Philanthropy at YGBW. "When parents can't work because childcare is unaffordable, or when teens don't have a safe place to belong, the entire community feels it. We're all part of the same ecosystem."
Chamber members YGBW, Bentley Systems, and Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) show what meaningful corporate investment in that ecosystem can look like in practice. The Exton-based infrastructure engineering software firm has been a sustained partner of YGBW, recognized with the organization's Community Partner Award for its commitment to the Y's mission and values.
The partnership started simply: Bentley hosted YGBW's Fit Truk at its Exton campus for a corporate wellness program. When the team saw its impact firsthand, they wanted to extend that reach to others. Together, YGBW and Bentley identified an opportunity to bring specialized fitness training directly to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, a population more likely to face health disparities and be affected by social isolation.
What followed was a collaboration involving Bentley Systems, YGBW, EmpowerU Specialty Fitness, and Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Bentley sponsored the Fit Truk at Bournelyf Special Camp in West Chester and at Walnut Lane Park in Chester Springs, where SOPA athletes complete their long-distance run and walk training. Participants received adaptive small group personal training and access to equipment in spaces they were already familiar with.
"Bentley Systems strives to be a good neighbor in the communities where our colleagues live and work," says Dan O'Brien, Director of Philanthropy and Impact at Bentley Systems. "Partnering with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate on multiple projects for the good of our neighbors."
The Fit Truk itself reflects a core belief at YGBW: that access should come to the community, not the other way around. Chester County, despite its considerable wealth and resources, presents real barriers. The sprawling landscape and limited public transportation make it difficult for many residents to access healthcare and wellness services. Since launching in January 2025, the Fit Truk has reached more than 1,725 individuals across seven new zip codes, bringing fitness programming, health screenings, and wellness education directly into neighborhoods.
For the Greater Philadelphia business community, YGBW's model offers a clear case for why community investment is also good business. Beyond the $26 million annual economic contribution and 70,000 volunteer hours delivered by community members each year, YGBW is addressing the very workforce challenges that businesses face every day, from childcare access that keeps parents in the workforce, to youth development programs building the next generation of employees, to health initiatives that strengthen the regional talent base.
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is proud to count YGBW, Bentley Systems, and Special Olympics Pennsylvania among its members, and their partnership reflects exactly the kind of cross-sector collaboration the Chamber works to enable. When businesses and nonprofits find each other and work toward a shared purpose, the whole region benefits.
"The YMCA has a rich history of innovating to meet the evolving needs of our community, serving as a hub for connection and vitality," says Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of YGBW. "We thrive through partnership and invite business and community leaders to join us in this work. When a community unites around a shared purpose, impact is accelerated. More lives are touched, more opportunities are created, and the future is strengthened for the betterment of all."
Support YGBW in raising $1.5 million to expand access to opportunity. Every dollar directly benefits our local community by funding need-based scholarships, ensuring all individuals and families can access the essential services of the Y. And, to learn more about partnership and sponsorship opportunities with YGBW, contact Mary Curcio at mcurcio@ymcagbw.org.
