Youth Development | NC Alliance of YMCAs

Data Shows NC Y Campers Increased SEL Capacity This Summer

Summer Day Camp

Educators and youth leaders know from research that positive social emotional learning (SEL) youth development with a caring adult helps children and teens develop short-term outcomes and skills that lead to long-term success, such as improved academic outcomes, stronger well-being, reduced risky beh

May Is Water Safety Month at the Y!

Swim

As communities return to “normal,” this summer following the Coronavirus pandemic, water safety should be top of mind. NC YMCAs want to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our state's eagerness to return to a “normal” summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans.

picture of exterior of Stratford Richardson YMCA in Charlotte

Charlotte Y to Use $18M Gift for Health Equity Centers and Youth Focus

Racial Equity

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte received a surprise $18 million gift at the end of 2020 from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who donated billions last December to 384 organizations nationwide.

YMCA of Western NC Delivers 1 Million Healthy Meals

Nutrition

The YMCA of Western North Carolina has marked an impressive yet sobering milestone by serving more than 1 million healthy, nutritious meals to kids in need since 2013.

Should Kids Go to Camp This Summer? Doctors Say “Yes!”

Summer Day Camp

Researchers at Duke Health, Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian studied YMCA of the Triangle summer day camps last year where COVID-19 safety protocols were strictly enforced, including masking, distancing and hand-washing.

Lexington YMCA Serves Homeless Students in Remote Learning Program

COVID-19

While schools in Davidson County remain closed for in-person instruction, the E-Learning Academy at the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington is living its mission in an important way for seven homeless students from three families.

students conduct walk audit to address safety concerns

Youth Leaders Conduct Walk Audit to Advocate for Safety Needs

Walkability

In November 2019, 15 students from the Parkland High School Youth & Government delegation in Winston-Salem conducted a walk audit around their high school to assess how safe it is to walk or bike to their school and in the surrounding community, and to share their findings and recommendations with local policymakers.