In the latest issue of Berks County Living, Phil Borup, President and CEO of the YMCA of Reading and Berks County, shared his journey and unique leadership style that’s transforming the organization.
Known for kicking off meetings with light-hearted dad jokes, Borup explained how he has created a relaxed yet empowering environment for YMCA staff, encouraging openness and collaboration. The article underscores how Borup has united the YMCA’s five branches and community programs under one cohesive vision, all while ensuring every employee feels valued and trusted.
Having joined the YMCA nearly two years ago after relocating from Montana, Borup brings a fresh perspective and a hands-on approach to leadership. Whether dressing as Santa for community events or participating in charity challenges, he’s a leader who isn’t afraid to dive in alongside his team.
With a healthcare and physical therapy career background, Borup’s path to the YMCA may be unconventional, but it’s driven by his passion for helping others and building strong communities. His commitment to both the organization and the people it serves has already made a significant impact across Berks County.
To learn more about Phil Borup’s story and some of the exciting changes happening at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County, click the link to read the full article in the September 2024 issue of Berks County Living (page 33).
At the Y, John George found purpose, belonging, and a new life.
After 20years in the U.S. Navy, John George had a much larger battle to fight as a veteranwhen the disease of addiction took hold of his life.What began as a way of coping with trauma eventually developed into a substance use disorder that put him at risk of losing everything and led to his arrest in 2018.John was released into the Veterans Treatment Court program, which is designed to provide specialized treatment programs with behavior modification and sober-living residences at Reading YMCA for veterans struggling with substance use disorders and underlying mental health complications. John found the structure he needed and life-changing support to get his life back on track.
“The program and counseling gave me good tools, but my recovery is based on my faith. My case manager at the Y, Gary, was able to help me even more because of our shared background and faith.I still do outreach with my church once a week in Reading and once a month in the Kensington area.” -John G.
While the world was in isolation during the height of the pandemic, John found connection and purpose through his volunteer work at the Y and his church, while actively working his treatment program. He also took the initiative to volunteer two hours every day in the gym in the Reading Y, which was closed to the public during lockdown, which allowed other residents to have a safe place to exercise, unwind, and connect with other people.
Upon graduating from the Treatment Court program, he continued living at the Reading YMCA among the community of peers he had grown to know and love. His contributions and positive attitude made an impression on the staff too. The Y staff offered him a job to continue his work in the gym and assist at the front desk of the Welcome Center.
John kept thriving with friendships, volunteerism, ministry, and fulfilling his sense of purpose in his Y community. “He always looks for ways to make things better and takes the initiative – whether that’s taking the time to mentor or listen to other residents or planting gardens and window boxes to beautify outside areas.”
In 2021, the tight-knit Y community was more important than ever when John found his friend, who had passed away from natural causes, during an SRO wellness check. Friends and staff were there to support him, but over time John struggled. He experienced a brief relapse, but this time was different. Not only did he recognize old behavior patterns he started to slip into, but he also had a genuine caring community of friends and co-workers at the Y to support him. Initially, when he sought help for relapsing, John considered programming at a different Y location because he felt ashamed and afraid of letting staff and his community down. That’s when his Y family of staff reminded him that he belonged here, and he had their love, unwavering support, and encouragement. So, he stayed at the Reading Y where he called home.
“It was so importantfor us to show John that we are not giving up on him – ever.And that we wouldn’t let him give up on himself.That’s what friends do. He’s overcome so much, and I couldn’t be prouder of him!,” Kris Danner
Since then, John has evolved in his roles at the Y. Currently, he is the third-floor manager for the Serenity Hall program at the Reading YMCA and maintains program areas of the facility.
Along John’s journey, finding the Y was a critical turning point. At the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, he found a new lease on life: renewed purpose, new friends he’d call family, new job, and true sense of community where he belongs.
The members that come in, staff members and our clients in the SRO. It’s rewarding to me when I can provide guidance for others in recovery. When someone knows where I was and where I am now, it makes me feel good. The way I am going about myself now shows other people coming into the programs that things can be done if you put the effort into it.
Pictured left to right: COO Ken Borkey, Reading Y Childcare Floor Manager, Monae Williams, VP of Youth Development Shelley Eppihimer, and Reading Y Childcare Center Director Ashley Price
On June 13, 2024, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County leadership celebrated at the accomplishments of the recent graduates of the Blueprint for Leadership Program, including their own Monae Williams, lead floor manager for childcare, Reading YMCA.
The graduation was held at a luncheon at the Doubletree in Reading, Pa. for the United Way’s Blueprint for Leadership and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Leadership Berks programs.
Graduates of the leadership program advance their development and serve in leadership roles in nonprofits and community organizations across the county.
To learn more information about the program and 2024 graduates and their organizations, visit United Way’s Blueprint for Leadership page.
Rebranding Brings Renewed Energy, New Leaders, and New Fitness Equipment & Renovations
Under the leadership of President & CEO Phillip Borup, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has made significant investments to create better experiences for members, staff and the greater community it serves. After updating its business model to operate as an association in December 2023, the Y has installed new state-of-the-art equipment, grown its leadership team, continues to make facility renovations, and has begun rebranding.
“The positive changes we’ve started have already created a new vibrant energy in each of our locations. It’s also powering momentum as we continue evolving our Ys to fit the specific needs of the communities we serve, which includes being a community hub where they can enjoy leisure activities with their friends and families, meet new friends, and explore new activities that interest them,” said Borup. “We’re seeing tremendous response and it’s only the beginning.”
The YMCA of Reading & Berks County is comprised of five branches located in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring, and Tri Valley. Each location has installed top-of-the-line Precor® fitness equipment for strength training, weightlifting, and cardio that have touchscreen consoles that allow members to track their activities and workout goals as well as keep them entertained through media they can stream from their devices.
Rebranding
Over the next year, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County will undergo enhancements inside and out – from fresh paint to exterior signage – to create a visual consistency among its branches using the blue and purple Y logo and primary color palette. Rebranding with a unified ‘family look’ helps reinforce the business model it adopted in December 2023 to operate as a unified association rather than as each branch operating individually. “We are stronger by operating in a more unified manner. It positions us to provide more benefits to our members and make a greater impact on our community,” said Borup.
Borup reinforced the importance of the role nonprofits play in the community and their inherent responsibility to carry out their mission, which is why the YMCA is prioritizing growing membership revenue that it reinvests in directly in building programming and accessibility to impact people in our community socially, financially, and physically. For those who cannot afford memberships, the Y offers scholarships and financial assistance for families who qualify to have access to programs regardless of their ability to pay.
“Your participation brings about meaningful change not just within yourself, but also in your community. You are supporting a nonprofit that exists solely to help the community thrive and to nurture individuals and families to be stronger in body, mind, and spirit,” said Borup.
Finding meaning and empowerment to discover, learn and grow is the foundation of this year’s brand campaign, “Find Your Y”. The messaging is intended to remind people to see what the Y has to offer and to encourage them to find purpose and fulfillment in their lives.
New Leaders & Staff Appointments
Reinvesting in internal talent and resources is also a focus for CEO Phillip Borup and COO Kenneth Borkey, Jr. who have worked diligently in creating key roles, developing career paths and providing coaching for leadership. Two new faces joined the leadership team, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Christina (Chrissy) Faller and Sinking Spring Branch Executive Director Jesse Whiteman.
Christina (Chrissy) Faller, vice president of marketing and communications, is responsible for brand marketing and communications strategy, advertising, social media, web, and public relations for the association. She will also build an infrastructure for traditional and digital marketing and communications at the association-level to increase visibility for the Y, drive interest and traffic for programming, and engage members and the community at large. Faller’s key initiatives include rebranding the five branches as one unified association sharing the same visual brand identity.
Prior to the Y, Faller managed content strategy for Caron Treatment Centers spanning advertising, PR, social media, web, and search engine optimization to optimize exposure, promote educational resources and thought leaders, and support access to treatment throughout the pandemic. Previously, for a combined 15 years, she served as public relations director and senior account manager in full-service agencies, The Anderson Group based in Sinking Spring, Pa., and Reese Integrated Marketing formerly in Wyomissing, Pa., where she developed and executed national, regional, and local campaigns. She served in marketing positions at Santander Bank, Wyomissing, Pa., and Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center, Lancaster, Pa. as well as volunteer roles for several community organizations including the Vision Resource Center of Berks County.
Jesse Whiteman, executive director of Sinking Spring YMCA, is responsible for the management and operations of the facility. His proven background and knack for program development, systems improvement, and human-centered design are an asset to the Y’s operations.
Prior to joining the Y, Whiteman was the MBA Program Director and Director of Operations for Eastern University’s College of Business and Leadership, St. Davids, Pa. In these roles, he worked to redevelop the MBA program through coordination of university departments, which resulted in nearly a ten-fold increase in enrollment over the first two years of the program’s launch. With passion for community, Whiteman is committed to developing the atmosphere and space where members of any background know they belong and can thrive.
Additionally, the following leaders have been elevated to new positions:
Brandy Sterner, chief financial officer
Brandon Shurr, vice president of branch operations
Shelley Eppihimer, vice president of youth development
Sarah Beissel, executive director of human resources
Kris Danner, executive director of administration
Gena Pina Garcia, executive director of social services
Angela Harrison, executive director of member engagement
Jonathan Johnson, youth development program director & center manager of Mifflin YMCA
Alec Heckman, youth development program director & center manager of Tri Valley YMCA
Amber Fox, digital media engagement director
About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County
For 165 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been a cornerstone in the community, putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Driven by its founding mission, the Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring and Tri Valley.
![[YMCA of Reading and Berks County LOGO SQ]](https://recliquecore.s3.amazonaws.com/imgs/ymca_logos/named_y/blue_purple.png)
![[YMCA of Reading and Berks County LOGO FULL]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/recliquecore/imgs/ymca_logos/named/blue_purple.png)
