WEST CHESTER, PA — The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), in collaboration with Bournelyf Special Camp, EmpowerU Specialty Fitness, and Bentley Systems, hosted an adaptive fitness event on Tuesday aimed at expanding access to health and wellness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Held at Bournelyf’s 20-acre campus in West Chester, the event featured inclusive workout sessions tailored to children and young adults across a wide range of abilities. Certified personal trainers from EmpowerU and YGBW led the programming, using equipment from the Y’s mobile fitness facility—the Fit Truk.
The Fit Truk, a fully equipped mobile gym, includes squat racks, rowing machines, and dumbbells, and is designed to bring fitness resources directly to communities throughout Chester County. Its presence at Bournelyf enabled participants to engage in structured, adaptive workouts in a familiar outdoor setting.
“Our mission is to ensure every person, regardless of age, ability, or background, has access to health and wellness resources,” said Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. “The Fit Truk allows us to take that mission on the road and meet people where they are. Events like today at Bournelyf, which was sponsored by Bentley Systems, are a powerful example of how we are expanding access and building partnerships that make our communities stronger.”
The collaboration brought together multiple organizations with a shared goal: to foster inclusive, healthy environments for underserved populations. Bournelyf Special Camp, the region’s only summer day camp specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, provided the venue and campers. EmpowerU Specialty Fitness contributed expertise in personalized, adaptive training for clinically sensitive and special needs populations.
This initiative reflects a growing focus among community-based nonprofits on meeting people where they are—geographically and developmentally—through mobile, inclusive services. YGBW’s Fit Truk, launched as part of this broader strategy, is one of several efforts by the organization to break down barriers to fitness and wellness.
In 2024, YGBW provided $2.6 million in financial assistance to more than 11,000 individuals, ensuring access to child care, summer camps, programs, and memberships. Nearly 87,000 people are members across its nine YMCAs and program centers in Chester County.
Tuesday’s event illustrates how public-private partnerships can amplify impact—especially for communities often left out of traditional health and wellness models. By uniting resources from nonprofits, fitness professionals, and the private sector, organizations like the YMCA and its partners are building a more inclusive future—one workout at a time.
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