In 2024–2025, 25 YMCA associations across North Carolina used the Hello Insight platform to assess and strengthen their teen programs. 96% of NC teens are developing essential character development skills that bolster mental health, increase high school completion, improve college and career readiness, and support lifelong well-being.
While Hello Insight measures our impact overall, these outcomes are also benchmarked against more than 6,000 youth-serving programs nationwide. Because Hello Insight connects NC Ys to a national network of peers and benchmarks, each association can see its progress in a larger context — identifying strengths, uncovering opportunities for growth, and learning from what works.
Grounded in research-based surveys, rigorous analytics and a national dataset, Hello Insight ensures every NC Y’s results are credible, comparable and actionable. With these national benchmarks, the NC Alliance can identify and celebrate models of excellence, ensuring that insights and best practices spread statewide so that every young person benefits.
Across the state, YMCAs are seeing teens grow in their character development skills through programs specifically for teens as NC Ys have focused on providing mental health resources and resilience-building strategies, and created safe spaces where teens are comfortable discussing their feelings and challenges with their peers and Y staff mentors.
We celebrate this vital statewide work and the eight YMCA associations that met or exceeded at least two of national benchmarks for youth development in a total of nine programs:
- Foundation YMCA of Wilson
- YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
- YMCA of Greensboro
- YMCA of Greater Charlotte
- YMCA of High Point
- YMCA of Northwest North Carolina
- YMCA of the Triangle Area
- YMCA of Western North Carolina
Together, we are building a stronger, data-informed movement for youth across NC. As the State Alliance, our goal is to turn data into direction — learning from what’s working across the country and within our own network. Leveraging the Hello Insight tools, NC Ys are reaffirming their commitment to continuous learning, collaboration and measurable impact, ensuring that every young person in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive.