Healthy Living

Three North Carolina YMCAs are partnering with NC DHHS for the Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOPs). The pilot is the first comprehensive program in the country to test and evaluate the impact of providing specific evidence-based, non-medical interventions related to housing, food, transportation, interpersonal safety, and toxic stress to high-needs Medicaid enrollees.

As of March 2023, 2,953,505 North Carolinians are enrolled in Medicaid, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The majority are single mothers and their children under the age of 20, seniors and disabled and blind people.

In May 1923, the first YMCA Short Course National Swimming Championship was held. This April, the Y celebrates 100 years of Y swimming history in Greensboro at the 2023 YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championships.

WellCare of North Carolina has partnered with the NC Alliance of YMCAs to provide WellCare Medicaid members with a one-year YMCA membership to support their health and well-being, according to the NC Alliance of YMCAs.

The YMCA of High Point hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 5 to celebrate the reopening of the Carl Chavis Memorial YMCA and the adjacent Carlvena Foster Child Care Center following a $4.5 million renovation and expansion. 

Community health partnerships are the cornerstone of two new North Carolina YMCAs: the Foundation YMCA of Wilson and the new Phifer Family YMCA in Morganton.

North Carolina YMCAs provided nearly 2.5 million meals to children, adults and seniors in 2021 to fight food insecurity in the wake of COVID-19. In addition, YMCAs donated more than 640,000 pounds of food, including 430,000+ pounds of fresh, healthy produce, to nourish those in need. 

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The YMCA of Western North Carolina’s nutrition team runs multiple mobile markets in five counties every month, providing free food to all community members. The markets provide fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and activities, such as cooking demonstrations.