Houlahan Celebrates First Responders On 9/11 At Brandywine YMCA

WEST CHESTER, PA — September 11 is not only a day to remember and honor first responders in our communities but it is also a National Day of Service to volunteer in your community.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan joined YMCA of Greater Brandywine President & CEO, Bertram L. Lawson II and educators at the West Chester Area Branch YMCA this week to honor local first responders and community helpers.

Service for Students

“As adults, we have very specific memories of September 11,” said Victoria Gallagher,

director of Childcare, Early Learning, and Montessori at the West Chester Area Branch YMCA.

As educators, she said, the goal is to teach children the importance of the National Day of Service.

The Y employees organized a series of activities, focused on teaching children what it means to be a community helper.

Houlahan and her staff read stories about community helpers, assembled goodie bags for local police officers, and helped students create thank-you cards and banners for local firefighters.

The event ended with a fire safety demo from the Goshen Fire Company and a lunch in their honor.

“Modeling is one of the most powerful teaching tools we have as educators and parents,” Lawson said.

Expanding Access to Early Education

Education is a passion of both Lawson and Houlahan. Houlahan previously served as an educator with Teach for America and at Simon Gratz High School in North Philadelphia, a location of Mastery Charter Schools. Lawson previously served as the COO for Mastery Charter Schools, his parents are both Gratz alumni and his mother is a retired Head Start Teacher.

With more than 70 students enrolled, in the Montessori classes at the West Chester Area Branch YMCA is full, with lengthy waitlists.

The Y plans to open a third Montessori classroom that will serve an additional 20 students at this location.

Celebrating and Supporting First Responders

The Goshen Fire Company, like most fire companies across the country, has seen a decrease in staff, volunteers, and funding while the volume of calls and the cost of equipment continues to rise.

“Call volume has increased 63 percent in the past 20 years,” Deputy Chief of Fire, Grant Everhart said. “Not only does our team respond to more calls each day, but we’ve also seen a shift in the types of calls that we receive. Over 80 percent of the calls received last year were EMS calls, compared with about 65 percent just 20 years ago.”

The increase in EMS calls is due in part to the mental health crisis and the needs of the aging population in our region.

“We need help,” Dave Shainline, a firefighter, said. “There are many ways to get involved. EMS, Fire, administrative jobs – you name it. We provide the necessary training, and our volunteers work at their own pace.”

The Goshen Fire Company welcomes volunteers of all abilities, starting at age 16.

More information about the Goshen Fire Company is available here.