Through Community Outreach funds and the Community Development programs supported by those funds, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte impacts our community in four main focus areas:
| Program Support |
|
By providing program subsidy to those in need through YPathways, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte continues its pledge to welcome all and to turn no one away from participating in a program due to financial limitations. Programs supported through community outreach dollars might include:
|
Participation in club activities during childhood is linked to higher academic performance and self-esteem. 
Source: Journal of Community Psychology |
|
All YMCA of Greater Charlotte branches and two resident camps offer program support to eligible participants. |
| |
| Literacy |
|
We invest significantly in the education of our greater Charlotte area residents. Community Outreach contributions support the Starfish Academy literacy program, which involves both a six-week summer literacy camp as well as a year-round afterschool and summer program for first and second grade students identified as at-risk for academic failure by their school principle or teacher.
Starfish Academy is now a nationally recognized program, having received a 2006 Coming Up Taller Award presented by the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities.
Branches supporting Starfish Academy
|
About 27% of CMS first, second and third graders living in at risk neighborhoods are testing below the 18th percentile on standardized reading tests. 
Source: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
Several of our branches offer GED (General Education Development) classes and adult literacy (A.B.L.E. - Adult Basic Literacy Education) programs for our adult non-reading population.
Branches supporting Literacy programs
|
| |
|
|
English as a Second Language (ESL) and Latino Services |
| The YMCA of Greater Charlotte kicked off its 6th year of offering ESL programming in January 2008. Currently, seven branches offer a total of 13 classes to serve close to 300 individuals across the Association. ESL classes generally include free or reduced price childcare costs for participation. Additionally, family support is offered to those who need assistance with the acculturation process. Classes are affordable and offer non-English speaking adults better access to community resources, jobs, and education. The Lake Norman YMCA offers translation and interpretation and client support for Spanish speaking individuals at local free medical and dental clinics. |
Almost half of the 100,000 Latinos living in Mecklenburg County have less than a high school diploma.
Source: Urban Institute, UNC-Charlotte |
Branches supporting ESL and Latino Services
|
| Strengthening Families |
A unique program of the YMCA, Strengthening Families provides the community with social workers who work with families in the most fragile neighborhoods in Charlotte. Serving over 200 families and 250 children each year, the Y’s social workers help families secure basic necessities for daily living, receive assessments to identify physical, mental and behavioral needs, and connect to appropriate local agencies. Strengthening Families helps families through:
- A holistic approach to helping families move toward self-sufficiency and independence
- A commitment to building strong partnerships and successful collaborations with service organizations throughout our community
- An acknowledgement that, with the right resources, every family can overcome crisis and make a positive contribution to our community
|
Approximately 12% of Charlotte's population lives in poverty. Some of the key barriers in these parents finding jobs are physical and mental health issues and lack of child care.
Source: U.S. Census |
|
Branches supporting the Strengthening Families Program
|
Help us continue to make a Real Impact in the community! Give today.