Youth Development

In 2022, NC YMCAs provided swim lessons to more than 20,000 kids and provided the Y's Safety Around Water program to more than 10,000 children.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the YMCAs is encouraging community members to care for themselves and others. 

Ebony Burnett, senior association youth development director at YMCA of Greensboro, is one of 10 out of school time (OST) professionals–and the only YMCA representative–participating in the 2023 Achievery Learning Cohort, a project of the National Afterschool Association (NAA) with support from AT&T. 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As part of our commitment to protecting the children in our community, we’re participating in the Five Days of Action - a week-long campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse and empower and equip us all to prevent it.

The development of children is the core of which the Y’s values were built. This is why the safety of all children in our care is our number one priority. Staff and volunteers at North Carolina's YMCAs follow a Code of Conduct to ensure the safety of all children who come through our doors, whether they’re regular program participants or only visit once a year. 

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are addressing the importance of understanding the Y’s abuse prevention policies, recognizing red flags and boundary violations and how to talk with your children about abuse. It's important that all parents and caregivers know how to respond to boundary violations and warning signs if children tell you about abuse.

Many parents and caregivers find speaking to their children about abuse to be uncomfortable. Framing these conversations around other safety conversations you have may help you work through some of that uncomfortableness. Below you’ll find age-appropriate ways to talk to your child about boundaries and preventing abuse. 

At the Y, creating safe spaces for youth to learn, grow and thrive is our top priority. Kids need a safe space now more than ever, and we take pride in the measures we’ve taken to help keep your kids safe. Here are some important tips for parents to know as we work together to keep kids safe from abuse.

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.