Today, we get to meet Erin Wallace. Program Coordinator at the Warren YMCA.

For Erin Wallace, the path to Warren County wasn’t straight – but it was certainly meaningful. Originally from Schuylkill County on the eastern end of Pennsylvania, Erin first discovered Warren County in 2017 while working with Forest Warren Mental Wellness Association through Journey Health Systems.

“I didn’t realize it at the time,” she reflects, “but I was laying the foundation for the life I have today.”

After falling in love with both the region and a Warren County native, Erin made the area her permanent home in 2021. And with her passion for service, her move quickly turned into a mission: to help individuals, families, and the broader community strengthen their mental wellness and well-being.

Erin Wallace, YMCA Warren County executive director, is pictured far right during a farewell luncheon for longtime YMCA family members Anne and Buddy Ward earlier this year.

Today, she serves as the Mental Wellness Coordinator at the Warren County YMCA, a role that aligns perfectly with both her professional background and her personal calling. Drawing from years of experience in social services, mental health, drug and alcohol support, and the criminal justice system, Erin integrates mental wellness into the YMCA’s holistic health and wellness efforts.

“My position is all about connection and collaboration,” she explains. “I help individuals and agencies access the services they need and promote well-being in both our YMCA family and the wider community.”

Her role has already made an impact. Erin has been instrumental in developing programs like the Be Well Collaborative, Be Well Warrior, the Suicide Prevention Coalition, and a variety of Wellness Workshops designed to foster resilience, mental health literacy, and supportive community relationships.

One of her most exciting ventures is a new collaborative program with Andrew Papalia, the YMCA’s Youth & Family Coordinator. Called the New Path Youth Program, it’s designed to provide guidance, active engagement, and positive mentorship for youth in Warren County.

“We have so many great programs in this area supporting youth,” Erin said. “This one adds another important layer. It’s about creating safe spaces for kids to grow and connect in meaningful ways.”

Beyond her work at the YMCA, Erin gives generously of her time as a volunteer. She currently serves on the Children & Youth Permanency Review Team, the WCCBI’s COD Board, the Board of Directors at A Safe Place, and the Family Services of Warren County Board. She is also a proud member of Create Community Local Arts Agency, which promotes arts, culture, and heritage access in the region.

“I’m an idea person,” Erin said with a laugh. “My mind rarely rests. But that’s a good thing–it helps me find new ways to make a positive impact.”

Her passion for community, creativity, and connection carries into her personal life as well. She enjoys reading, riding her motorcycle, exploring the natural beauty of the region, and being creative in all kinds of ways. She cherishes time spent with family, friends, and her loyal dog, Finnian.

“I’m incredibly fortunate,” she said. “I have a job that aligns with my values, my interests, and my heart.”

A proud graduate of Penn State, Erin remembers telling her dad on graduation day that all she really wanted was to make a difference in someone’s life. “I believe I have–and I never plan to stop.”

Erin doesn’t shy away from talking about her life’s biggest milestones–especially the ones that weren’t picture-perfect.

“Of course, my son Dylan is the best part of my life,” she said. “But another major milestone wasn’t a single moment–it was a series of choices, people, and experiences. Some of them were mistakes. At the time, they felt like bad decisions. But in hindsight, they were exactly what I needed. They saved my life. I had to go there to get here.”

And “here” is where Erin Wallace is thriving: helping others find hope, healing, and health. Whether through her professional work at the YMCA, her leadership in mental wellness initiatives, or her commitment to arts, youth, and social service causes, Erin has become a powerful presence in Warren County.

“I believe in building community, making meaningful connections, and lifting others up,” she said. “That’s what brought me here, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Erin Wallace may not have been born in Warren County, but she’s become a vibrant thread in the fabric of its future.