Youth Development

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly launched its inaugural Y Achievers Summit in August, hosting about 165 youth and staff from 23 associations in the United States and Canada.

Highschoolers Israel James and Ke’Sondra Pickett headed to Washington in June for the annual YMCA Youth Governors Conference. They represented the Harrison Family Y in Rocky Mount as one of the 46 Amazon Changemakers teams traveling to D.C. to present their Changemakers project, RISE (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence), which focuses on adult male mentoring. 

North Carolina YMCAs are helping students build relationship skills and manage their emotions, which improves academic performance, confidence and behavior in the classroom and beyond.

YMCA associations across the state have participated in social and emotional learning (SEL) professional development training and peer cohort meetings this year, thanks to a grant the Alliance received from the NC Department of Public Instruction.

During the pandemic, Jen Fuller-Allen, CEO of the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington, began sending an email each Friday to her Board of Directors. “I wanted to connect with our Board more regularly to share highlights from the week to better equip them to help tell our story,” Fuller-Allen said.

When the new Foundation YMCA opens in Wilson late this summer, a group of middle schoolers will know they played a role in designing spaces for their peers.

Working at the YMCA as a camp counselor or lifeguard provides teens and young adults with key career-building skills that they can take anywhere as they prepare for college or their career. The skills young Y staff learn, demonstrate and master translate to multiple situations and work environments that are on par with and often more valuable than an office internship.

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The Gaston County Family YMCA delivered 1,700 meals during the summer every day at to four locations (apartment complexes and a mobile home community).

Fighting Food Insecurity: 2021 Bright Spots The YMCA of the Triangle operated three regional food hubs with county CARES Act funding to provide a network of 13 food hubs to provide boxed groceries, fresh and frozen meat, produce, eggs and canned goods twice a month to those in need.