Pickens County Journalism Since 1999
For the young and young at heart, the old Easley YMCA building has a new life with the opening of the Brotherton Child Development Center and the Pickens County Meals on Wheels Young at Heart Senior Dining and Activity Center
By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor
Dr. Larry Brotherton, with his wife, Carmen, to his left, and Libby Dalton to his right, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Brotherton Child Development Center on August 28, 2025. (YMCA photos)
Pickens County Meals on Wheels Executive Director Kim Valentin cuts the ribbon for the official grand opening of the Young at Heart Senior Dining and Activity Center on August 28, 2025. She is joined by Site Coordinator Jeanna Sevic, to her left, and Group Exercise Instructor Tiffany Martin, to her right, and Board members. (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, seventeen months after celebrating the opening of the new Easley YMCA, officials and community members gathered for two more ribbon-cutting ceremonies, as the first YMCA building, built more than 60 years ago, has been given new life – for the young and young at heart – as a child development center and a senior citizen center housed in the same building.
The day of the new YMCA’s grand opening, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, YMCA President and CEO Sid Collins had stated that the engineers had said that the old building still had a lot of life in it. So, instead of tearing down the old building, it would be refurbished to continue the YMCA’s mission. “The building is not our mission,” he said. “Our mission is to change lives for Christ.” So, now, the mission continues as the dream for a child development center and senior center has come to fruition.
Kim Valentin, Executive Director for Pickens County Meals on Wheels, welcomed the crowd to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Young at Heart Senior Center. “Thank you all for coming out today,” she said. “I appreciate you coming to the ribbon-cutting for the Young at Heart Senior Center that is way overdue for Easley.” She then introduced and thanked Dr. John Adams, Pastor of Easley First Baptist Church, who opened the ceremony with a prayer.
“Shall we pray together,” said Dr. Adams. “Oh mighty God, Abba, Daddy, precious Lord and tender spirit, thank you for the sun shining upon us today and for the Son of God smiling so beautifully upon a center that has been long in coming, anticipated with great joy, potential unlimited. Lord, we ask that you place a hedge of protection around this place. We ask, Lord, that, as everyone drives up to this property and enters these doors, they will know one thing, that they are loved and appreciated. I ask, Lord, for you guidance, for Kim and all of the leadership staff, that they may discern, as they converse with our seniors, what is best for them. And, when all is said and done, God, may every aspect of the programs, every ounce of conversation bring a smile to your face. Flourish this organization. I guess, Lord, what I’m asking is just give them Jesus. And it is in the strong name of Jesus that we make this prayer. Amen.”
Valentin then introduced Chris Bowers, who represents the Easley area on Pickens County Council.
“What an exciting time for us all to be here,” said Bowers. “I am here on behalf of County Council. It’s truly a joyous occasion that we’re here to celebrate. So, on behalf of Council, I want to thank each of you for coming out today, for being a part of this special moment. A special thanks to our friends at Meals on Wheels, the YMCA, all of the volunteers, those that give their energy, the donors, all of the partners who helped make this happen.
“Easley is home. Many of us all grew up here, and we watched the community grow, and we continue to watch the community grow. Our seniors are the very people who built the foundation that led us to where we are today. They’re our neighbors, our teachers, our veterans, our caregivers. They carried us forward, and this is what we can do in return.
“It’s not just a building of four walls. It’s a place of belonging. If you’ve never been to one of the senior centers before, I encourage you to come visit this one. One of my favorite things to do is called Bingo. It’s also one of the most dangerous things you can do. But this is not just a building. It’s a place for folks to share meals, laugh with friends, build camaraderie. It’s a place where there’s dignity, there’s compassion, where our community says loud and clear we value you, we honor you, and that we’re glad you’re here.
“The heart of Easley has always been our people, and this center reflects that spirit of care and connection. It takes a village, the county’s support, the not-for-profit leadership, the volunteers, the businesses, the families all working together to make something like this happen. So, thank you to everyone here that poured your heart into this to make this truly happen. My hope is that this is a second home for many people, a place where seniors feel welcomed, seen, celebrated, and cherished.
“Today, we’re not only here to just cut a ribbon. We’re here to open doors to new friendships, new memories, and, truly, a stronger Easley. Let’s celebrate this beginning together, and let’s keep working to make Pickens County the best place to live for every generation to come. Thank you all.”
Valentin then introduced Nakeyra Harris, South Carolina Department on Aging Permanent Improvement Project (PIP) Grant Coordinator, and said that the project would not have been possible without the grant. “So, we are very appreciative of our relationship with you,” said Valentin.
“On behalf of Director Connie Munn, in her absence, and the South Carolina Department on Aging, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on the grand opening of the Easley Young at Heart Senior Center,” said Harris. “This state-of-the-heart facility stands as a true testament to the community’s dedication to the seniors, offering a place where health, happiness, and meaningful connections can thrive. More than just a building, the center represents a new chapter filled with opportunities for friendship, lifelong learning, and joy. It will serve as a home away from home, a welcoming space where stories are shared, memories are made, and each day brings a new adventure. We extend our deepest thanks to Pickens Meals on Wheels Executive Director Kim Valentin, the Appalachian Area Agency on Aging, the YMCA, and all who contributed to make this vision a reality for the seniors of Easley. Thank you.”
Valentin expressed her appreciation for the support of the City of Easley, the YMCA, YMCA President and CEO Sid Collins and the YMCA Board of Directors “for coming up with this great idea”, the South Carolina Department on Aging, the Appalachian Council of Governments, state representatives, county and city representatives, current Mayor and previous Mayors, donors and sponsors and volunteers. “It’s just been a long, hard road to get all of the funding to make this happen,” she said. “I am very thankful. We appreciate this. This has been something we have been working on for several years.
“We are so excited about what is to come in this building. We are going to plan intergenerational programming with our children and our seniors, and we know that it improves the health and lives of seniors and children. We’re going to serve awesome food here. So, if you are ever looking to dine, we are open at 11:45 a.m. to 12:45. We are going to have activities. We are going to have field trips. We are going to have games. We are going to have socialization. We are going to have fun at this center. I always say that the site coordinators have the most fun at these senior centers, because they get to call Bingo, they get to play games, they get to talk and socialize and be the ones that the seniors connect with. We’re going to have awesome exercise programs to keep everybody moving. Tiffany Martin will be our exercise instructor. So, if you’re looking to get a little physical activity, come around 9:30 a.m., and she’ll put you to work. Jeanna Sevic will be doing our Bingo and heading everything up. I want to thank Marsha Robertson, who is our program director. She has been my right hand through this whole thing. And all the other staff at Pickens County Meals on Wheels — they’ve been running the show while I’ve been here and there and here and there. So, I am very thankful for the wonderful staff that we have, and there’s nothing but good things that are going to come of this program here.”
Valentin said that she appreciated everyone coming, and she invited everyone into the gymnasium for refreshments, or inside to ask any questions that they might have, or to join, or to fill out a survey of what they might like to see in the senior center. She said that the senior center would open on Tuesday, September 2, and, after that, would be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Valentin also thanked Durham-Greene Construction Company, Inc., which built the building, and she stated how wonderful they had been to work with on the project.
After the ribbon-cutting, Sam Gillespie, a member of the American Legion Post 52 of Easley and Easley Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, asked everyone to sign the ribbon. “I just want to invite everyone that’s here to come and sign the ribbon. That’s something we do with the Chamber of Commerce on all of our grand openings. So, we’ll have it inside, and I’ll have some Sharpies.”
Rick Cothran, Director of Membership and Engagement with the Easley Chamber of Commerce, presented Valentin a gift of $1. “On behalf of the Chamber of Easley, we’d like to say congratulations and best wishes to you. We thank you for helping build a better community. Because we do have senior citizens and believe in the growth and development of our community. And, so, may the confidence you have shown in the future of this community be rewarded with many years of success. We wish to present you with $1 to help accomplish your mission and that you would hang it so people would know that there are people who care and that the Chamber of Commerce cares for your growth and continued operation.”
The crowd then went inside for Open House, for self-guided tours inside the Senior Center and Brotherton Child Development Center.
Easley Mayor Lisa Talbert spoke with The Pickens County Chronicle. “I am so happy and so proud for the Y and for the seniors in Easley,” she said, “because this is something they’ve worked on a long time, and this is going to be a wonderful place for our community and our little people, the Child Development Center and the Senior Center, and I’m really proud for Easley and the community.”
State Representative Neal Collins, from Easley, told The Pickens County Chronicle, “I’m just excited. In fact, I have my three-year-old signed up for the CDC and absolutely love the intergenerational aspect to this whole building. It’s something desperately needed in our city, in Easley, both the CDC and the Senior Center. So, I’m just excited. It’s been years and years in the making. I was on the YMCA Board back in 2016, and this was a topic, both of these needs in our community, so, over a decade in the making. And it’s beautiful.”
Dr. John Adams, Pastor of Easley First Baptist Church, told The Pickens County Chronicle, “A city that can partner to this level to bring Y childcare senior adult care — this is to be treasured, and not overlooked. Not every city can pull this off, but that says a lot about our leaders at the state, local level, that we bypass some of the partisan politics and imagine each child, each senior adult, each parent. This is what it’s about. So, thank you.”
“We are blessed, and we are excited to start serving our community and serving thousands of people,” YMCA President and CEO Sid Collins told The Pickens County Chronicle. He noted that the entire community has worked hard to make it happen. “Families will start arriving on Tuesday. We’re excited. God has blessed us in many ways, to begin a project like this. It takes a lot of work and a lot of people. It’s been a lot of work to get to this point. We’re excited to get to the point where we’re actually serving people and making a difference.”
“We’re just excited to be here,” Valentin told The Pickens County Chronicle. She noted that the center will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Anybody 55 and older is welcome to come, and we hope to implement programming that seniors in the community want to see. So, we’re doing surveys today, to see some of the things that they’re interested in doing, and we will be implementing those.” Lunch will be served at the center for anyone in the community who is age 55 and older. “They’re welcome to come for lunch Monday through Friday 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.” She noted that annual membership to the center is available for $25 per individual or $35 per couple. Lunch is available for $3 for members and $5 for non-members. She also noted that exercise will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. “We’re really excited,” she said.
State Rep. Davey Hiott, from Pickens, State Rep. Neal Collins, from Easley, and Durham-Greene Construction Company, Inc. President and CEO Brent Chandler tour the Brotherton Child Development Center and Young at Heart Senior Dining and Activity Center on Thursday, August 28, 2025. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
The Brotherton Child Development Center (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Inside the Young at Heart Senior Dining and Activity Center (Photos by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
Libby Dalton, who took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Brotherton Child Development Center, spoke with The Pickens County Chronicle. “What a special day for the Y, with the opening of the new childcare and senior center. During my time as CEO, I realized there was nothing any more important and needed than childcare in Pickens County. I was especially pleased with the commitment Dr. Larry Brotherton made to provide for the facility. Over the years, his family have been dedicated supporters of the Y. It was heartwarming for me to see how Sid and his staff have carried the Y to another level for Pickens County. I left the event with a heart full of pride.”
The Brotherton Child Development Center is named for Dr. Larry and Carmen Brotherton, who have lived in Easley since 1975. Dr. Brotherton spoke with The Pickens County Chronicle and said that, while their names may be on the building, it took many people to make it happen. “I want to congratulate everyone that participated in the capital campaign,” he said, “first of all with the vision, which was about 10 years ago that it got started, and with the capital campaign that ensued to be able to make it a reality.” It was an effort, he said, of all who had gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and also many who were not there “to make it a reality, a reality that would reflect the caring of the YMCA for our children that we have influence over. We’re glad to provide this new building with the state-of-the-art care facility that will influence our young folks for years to come. It will take all of us to make it a sustaining success for the future, the future for our youth that will come. It will make it a success for us being able to have the staff that will execute in a way that will influence our young kids and even their parents for an environment that would be safe and secure in long term for education in a Christian environment.”
Brotherton said that his family “is glad to be a part of the capital campaign. It’s actually a continuing part of the YMCA for us, as a family,” he said, “because we’ve been involved in it since the mid ‘80’s. It was probably ’84 or ’85 I was on the Board, and I was chairman of the YMCA in Easley probably in ’87 or ’88 or ’89, for a couple of years. So, it’s a continuation of what we felt like in the beginning, having our children in a Christian environment for care and for the programs that they provided, like swimming, t-ball, and gymnastics, and others our kids were involved in. We chose the YMCA, to allow our kids to be in those programs.
“I do think it takes commitment from not just the men but the men and the women of the community to make it a success. I know our present YMCA Chairman is a lady, and, so, I think we’ve grown to where it’s become much more inclusive of society in the way we have grown our Y. It’s reflective not only in the programs, but it’s reflective in the leadership.
“It’s been a passion for our family over a long period of time with the mission of the YMCA really the idea of having a Christian environment where you can influence programs and service from young children all of the way through to older adults. I think that’s pretty special. I think that’s what we’ve done now with the present structure that we’ve now got in place. I love the fact that we’ve included our senior citizens. I think that was a great add with the development center, because they have so much to give back, and, sometimes, that group is not as appreciated for the skill sets that they have and the interaction, that they can be loving grandparents, if they choose. Or they can be involved with the reading section for the youth. There are just tons of things that they can do to be useful and give back in a way that would make them have some gratification for it and in a way that would be meaningful for influence for the youth, and it really gives some kids a chance to be loved on in a way that they may not get every day.
“Life is about what you can do to make a difference, not what you can accumulate for yourself. It’s how you can make a difference in the environment you’re in. You’ve got a short time to make a difference.”
Brotherton Child Development Center (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)
