WEST CHESTER, PA — The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) celebrated the critical role of its volunteers on April 23 during its Volunteer Recognition Breakfast at Penn Oaks Golf Club. Among the honorees were two standout participants from the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) Discover program, Ilana Delevieleuse and Joey Martinez, who were named Volunteers of the Year for the Jennersville branch.
The Discover program supports high school students with disabilities aged 14 to 22, providing them with hands-on vocational experiences to ease the transition from school to adult life. Through job exploration and supervised employment opportunities, students like Ilana and Joey are gaining skills and confidence.
“Joey and Ilana are just the sunshine at the front desk! Members love seeing them,” shared Mandy Happold, membership director at the Jennersville branch. Their enthusiasm and dedication were key to their recognition as Volunteers of the Year out of 555 volunteers at that location.
Joey uses a tablet for communication, even programming it to say, “Have a great workout!” as he greets members. These kinds of adaptive tools, supported by the YMCA and CCIU collaboratively, ensure that volunteers of all abilities can succeed. “A main pillar in our organization is that the Y is for all,” noted Erin Lacotta, senior association director of behavioral support and adaptive programming for YGBW.
The CCIU Discover program’s partnership with YGBW highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments where individuals of varying abilities can contribute meaningfully. Cynthia Sedlak, vocational support specialist for CCIU, emphasized this, saying, “It shows how much of a positive impact our students have in the wider community and how important it is to offer adaptive opportunities to every learner.”
At the event, YGBW President and CEO Bertram Lawson II reminded attendees of the YMCA’s growth, from serving 184 members in 1894 to over 88,000 members today. “The YMCA would not exist without volunteers,” Lawson stated, underscoring their foundational contributions.
Joey and Ilana’s achievements serve as a testament to the success of inclusive volunteer initiatives. With continued collaboration between organizations like CCIU and YGBW, the future looks bright for creating opportunities that empower all individuals to thrive and contribute to their communities.
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