youth development – YMCA of Reading & Berks County

YMCA of Reading & Berks County Raises More Than $110,000 Toward Annual Support Campaign at 2026 Breakfast of Champions for Youth

Posted on May 15, 2026 Updated on May 18, 2026 by Amber Fox

Annual event honors local leaders and organizations investing in the future of Berks County

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County welcomed community leaders, partners, advocates, and supporters to the 2026 Breakfast of Champions for Youth on Tuesday morning at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, raising $110,000 so far for its annual support campaign for programs and services that strengthen youth, families, and the community across Berks County. The Y is accepting donations throughout the month online at YMCArbc.org/donate.

“This morning is a reminder of what is possible when a community comes together around a common cause,” said Ken Borkey, Jr., President & CEO of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County. “Every dollar raised and every person recognized represents an investment in belonging, opportunity, mentorship, and brighter futures for the children and families we serve.”

The annual event celebrated individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and commitment embody the YMCA’s mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. From the national anthem performed by Schuylkill Valley School District students to the performances by Reading YMCA Early Childcare Center’s Pre-K students, the event reinforced the spirit of youth confidence and achievement.

Along the lines of celebrating youth champions, Borkey recognized the Reading Y Swim Team for its record-breaking performance at the recent National Championship. Winning first place in the 200 freestyle, Owen Eisenhofer won the first national individual championship in Reading Y’s history. More victories followed throughout the meet for 16 dedicated athletes from schools across Berks, who are united by the Reading Y swim team.

Borkey and Y Volunteer Board Member Crystal Gilmore-Harris, the event emcee, gave awards to six outstanding changemakers whose work continues to positively impact the lives of local youth and strengthen the Berks County community:

Richard Palmer, Sr. Wealth & Wisdom Award: Wynton Butler, Reading School District (top left)
James Sternbergh Faith & Guidance Award: Susan Looney, Reading Area Community College (top middle)
Jere Edwards Spirit of Youth Award: Doug Dahms, Wilson High School (top right)
Red Triangle Awards: Schlouch Incorporated, Barry and Deb Schlouch (bottom left) and Mid Penn Bank (bottom center)
Eugene Shirk Youth Leadership Award: Beloved Lenora Pair (bottom right)

Investing in Community

Throughout the morning, attendees heard powerful stories (Y Stories Video) highlighting how YMCA programs help children and families gain access to childcare, mentorship, scholarships, swim safety, summer camp experiences, educational support, and opportunities that build confidence and lifelong skills.

Funds raised through the Breakfast of Champions directly support YMCA programs and financial assistance initiatives that ensure no child or family is turned away due to inability to pay.

Thanks to the generosity of our annual support partners, table sponsors and donors, the Breakfast of Champions has already raised $110,000. This year’s Legacy Partners were:

Dorothy M. Haas Charitable Trust – Represented by Richard Auman and Clair Auman. (Pictured L-R: Sinking Spring YMCA Executive Director Jesse Whiteman, Richard Auman, Clair Auman, and Y President & CEO Ken Borkey, Jr.)

M&T Bank

Together, We Made This Possible

Every sponsorship helped create moments of belonging, support, confidence, and opportunity for the people we serve every day.

Thank you for investing in the future of our community through the YMCA of Reading & Berks County.

Legacy Partners

Dorothy M. Haas Charitable Trust

M&T Bank

Visionary Partner

Precor

Mission Partners

Alarm Tech Systems, Inc.
Artsana USA, LLC Chicco
Customers Bank
East Penn
EHD
Holly Gerke
UGI Energy Services

Impact Partners

Barley Snyder Attorneys At Law
Blinck Studios
The Borkey Family
Burkey Construction
Canteen Berks
Cherry Bekaert
Fulton Bank
The Gulati Family Foundation
Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys
Michael & Diane Duff
Mid Penn Bank
Penske Truck Leasing Co.
Penn State University / Penn State Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Reading Area Community College
Reading Hospital – Tower Health
Reading Beneficial Association
RKL
Schlouch, Inc.
Smith | Bukowski
Solve IT Solutions, LLC
Weik Capital Management

Mission Moments: Cazden’s Y

Posted on April 30, 2026 Updated on May 11, 2026 by Amber Fox

From Fear to Freedom: How the Y Helped Cazden Find Confidence in the Water and Beyond

At first, the water felt bigger than he was.

For 10-year-old Cazden, even stepping into a pool once meant uncertainty. The deep end was out of the question. Going underwater? Unthinkable. Like many children on the autism spectrum, new environments and unfamiliar sensations can feel overwhelming, especially something as unpredictable as water.

But what made it even harder wasn’t just fear. It was access.

“There were places that didn’t want to work with him,” his mom, Lisa, shares quietly. “Sometimes with kids on the spectrum… people just don’t know how.”

Lisa is Cazden’s biological grandmother and the only one he calls mom. She has raised Cazden since birth and officially adopted him just before he turned two.

She knows his strengths: his incredible intelligence, his attention to detail, his love of building intricate LEGO worlds filled with dinosaurs and space stations, and his imagination. She also knows his challenges including social hesitations, sensory sensitivities, and a tendency to keep to himself. She also knew how much Cazden loved the water. And loving the water without knowing how to swim? That’s not just a gap—it’s a risk. So Lisa started searching for lessons where he’d be accepted and comfortable. After a lot of phone calls and a few underwhelming experiences, she found the YMCA of Reading & Berks County.

A Different Kind of Welcome

From the very first conversation, things felt different. Instead of hesitation, there was openness. Instead of uncertainty, there was a plan. Lisa connected with Rebecca, a swim instructor who didn’t just teach strokes, she understood people and took the time to listen. They started with a one-on-one meeting and that’s where everything changed.

“Rebecca is amazing,” Lisa says. “She understands his personality. His quirks. She gives him space, but she knows how to reach him.”

Having that balance of patience and encouragement along with structure and flexibility, created something Cazden hadn’t experienced before with new environments: comfort.

As luck would have it, Lisa also found inclusion and belonging from the women in the pool who would invite her to join them while her son was having his lessons. Everyone was welcoming.

Small Steps, Big Breakthroughs

At the beginning, progress looked simple. Learning to float. Getting his face in the water. Trusting the feeling of letting go.

Over time, those small steps turned into something bigger. Cazden learned how to swim the length of the pool, then back again. Then, he started diving. Today, he’s doing twists and turns in the water like the kind you’d expect from a confident swimmer; not a child who once refused to go underwater. While his progress is fun to watch, the biggest transformation isn’t what you can see. It’s how he feels.

“His confidence… it’s completely different,” Lisa says. “Before, he wouldn’t even jump in. Now, he just goes.”

That confidence doesn’t stay in the pool. It follows him everywhere.

Finding His Place

Outside of the water, Cazden has always tended to keep to himself. He is more of a thinker, a builder, and an observer more than a social butterfly. Yet, with the confidence he gained in himself, Lisa noticed unexpected changes at the Y.

“In the water, he talks to everyone,” Lisa says, smiling. “He talks to the other kids. He even tries to help them.”

The same child who once stood on the sidelines is now being invited in by peers.

Seeing this shift in anyone is rewarding, but for a parent of a child with autism the change is monumental. The transformation gives her a renewed confidence in Caden’s ability to live independently some day. For Lisa it was also a place of support for both of them where they didn’t feel isolated by people who didn’t understand. Instead they found connection among a community of people who welcomed and invited them to be included in activities at the pool.

He feels safe, seen, and capable. That’s what the Y created for him.

More Than a Skill—A Life Change

For Lisa, swimming was always about more than recreation. “It’s a life skill,” she says. “I grew up learning how to swim. Everyone should have that.” She acknowledges that for Cazden, it’s also about freedom.

Freedom to go on vacation and play in the pool without fear.
Freedom to say “yes” when other kids ask him to join.
Freedom to explore something he loves without limits.

And maybe, one day, freedom to chase his even bigger dream to be an astronaut when he grows up.

Why It Matters

There are many families like Lisa and Cazden who are searching for a place that says yes when others say no. The YMCA believes everyone deserves a place that welcomes, adapts, and encourages individuals to reach new goals. For youth development, the Y is also a place that believes in someone’s potential before it’s fully visible and gives you a safe space to try something new and find meaningful experiences.

“They help anybody,” Lisa says as her voice catches. “Their doors are open to everyone. There were people who didn’t want to support my child… because of his autism.”

At the Y, they weren’t turned away. Cazden was invited in and Lisa found a renewed sense of community and support. That’s why this matters.

An Invitation to Be Part of the Story

Cazden’s story is about swimming, and it’s also about confidence, belonging, and possibilities. These are each of the foundational building blocks that every child deserves.

Supporting the YMCA makes funding programs possible, which in turn create moments like this:

A child jumping into the deep end for the first time.
A parent exhaling, knowing their child is safe.
A quiet kid finding his voice—and being heard.

That’s the impact and the legacy each of us leave when we support the Y’s mission.

Healthy Kids Day 2026 & Kids Color Run Offers Families Activities to Kickoff Spring

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Amber Fox

Healthy Kids Day is a free family-friendly rain or shine event offered by the partnership between YMCA of Reading & Berks County and Berks County Parks & Recreation

Reading, Pa., April 10, 2026

On Saturday, April 25, 2025, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County and Berks County Parks & Recreation are co-hosting Healthy Kids Day & Color Fun Run at Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Reading, PA 19605 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We’re excited to get people outdoors and finally out of winter hibernation! Healthy Kids Day will be a great time and will give families a chance to see and try new things that might interest them to stay physically active or mentally engaged over the summer,”

Ken Borkey Jr., President & CEO, YMCA of Reading & Berks County

Healthy Kids Day is a family-friendly day outdoors and features a variety of engaging activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season. This rain or shine event is open to the public. Admission is free; some booths and food vendors will have items for sale; families are encouraged, but not required, to bring cash/cards for any purchases.

Schedule of Kids Color Run & Featured Fun

11 a.m. – 2 p.m Activities and food trucks
11 a.m. – Noon Color Fun Run Check-in & T-shirt pickup
Noon – 12:30 p.m. Color Fun Run (aged 12 & under)

The Color Fun Run is the ultimate experience as runners “race” to the finish line and are showered with colors by those cheering on the sidelines. Registration is $5 per child for the run and a white Healthy Kids Day T-shirt (while supplies last). All proceeds benefit the Y’s Open Door Scholarship Funds, which helps kids and families benefit from the Y’s programs and memberships regardless of their ability to pay.

Featured activities at the event include basketball and gaga ball inflatables, games and activities. Also back by popular demand, Nolt’s Chicken BBQ meals can be pre-ordered online by 4/14 to be available for pickup at the event. Each meal is $16 and includes a chicken half, baked potato, applesauce, dinner roll, and a drink.

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County will display:

Spin Art Bicycle – Spin up your latest work of art with some extra muscle.
Yoga and/or fitness class demonstrations for anyone to join in.
Have information on programs
Summer Camp Sneak Peak – Get a flavor for this year’s Summer Day Camp and Playground programs with this year’s weekly themes, swim/water days, and exceptional field trips in Berks and beyond. Register on the spot or learn more about the Summer Camp Open House dates.
Parenting Pathways program – Learn about the free classes and resources we have for parents, caregivers, and guardians to give their children a successful start on life and learning.
Preschool & Free Pre-K Counts –YMCA Early Learning Centers will have activities for budding preschoolers. Families can register for preschool at our Fleetwood and Reading ELCs as well as Pre-K Counts (Reading Y) and learn more about how the Y nurtures and motivates learning and prepares students to thrive.

Berks County Parks & Recreation will feature:

Kite Building Station – children will be supplied with the tools and direction to design their own kites and fly them.
Face painting for kids – no fair is complete without it.

“We love this time of year to be outdoors in our parks and to help Berks residents re-discover the beautiful places to visit this spring and summer! With all the local organizations with booths, we have activities to interest the kids – without their smart devices! We’re looking forward to making more memories this year,”

Lisa Gauker, Recreation & Special Events Supervisor, Berks County Parks & Recreation

Other vendors include the following local businesses with giveaways and demonstrations: Berks County Park Rangers, Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Berks County Public Libraries, Yocum Institute for Arts Education, Wyomissing Walmart Vision Center, Golden Home Health Care, Strive Physical Therapy, Berks Technical Institute and more.

Local businesses are invited to set up a table and activities to showcase their offerings, engage with Berks families, and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the day for free. Participation is free, but all vendors must register at www.YMCArbc.org/hkd.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.ymcarbc.org or contact Brandon Shurr ([email protected]).

Tag: youth development