Breaking News!
Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson visits the Stratford Richardson YMCA! See his visit as captured by the Teen Photojournalism program on the Bobcats own homepage, www.bobcats.com!

Looking for somewhere to go after school? Want to go on exciting field trips? Do you enjoy giving back to your community? Then the Stratford Richardson YMCA Teen Program is just for YOU!

• A Marching Band
• Photojournalism Class
• Dance Team
• Club F.I.T.
• Teen Parties
• A Teen Room

...and so much more!

    For more information, contact:
    Jessica Williams
    (704) 716-4818 
    jessica.williams@ymcacharlotte.org

Queen City Thunder Community Band

Mentors:

• Shameka Carter
• Kamil Cooper
• Duncan Gray

Program Description:

• Queen City Thunder is open to males and females ages 12-18
• Participants learn how to play musical instruments, perform dance routines, and leadership skills
• Teens will participate in parades, festivals, talent shows and other various events in the Queen City!
• No experience is needed and we will provide your drum!

Required Clothing:

Teens must attend practice in comfortable clothing (i.e. t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, etc.) Uniforms will be provided for all performances.

Practice Information:

Practices will be held at Temple Church International or the Stratford Richardson YMCA.

Stratford Richardson YMCA Teen Book Club

I.S.I.S. “Inspiring Sisters, Inspiring Society”

Mentors:

• Tawanda Dent
• Tiffanie McCombs
• Jina Meadows

Program Description:

• I.S.I.S. is open to females in 9th-12th grade
• Participants will read A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown
• During the program, teens will participate in open wrap sessions, complete projects, and go on field trips as they pertain to the book
• Everything discussed during the meetings will remain confidential
• All parents and participants must complete a consent form

Book Description:

It’s raw. Bittersweet. Moving. Inspiring. And it’s a true-life story you’ll never forget… When 11 year-old Cupcake Brown woke to her mother’s lifeless body, life would never be the same. Her innocence was stolen in a foster home riddled with physical, sexual and emotional abuse. She sought out drugs and alcohol to dull the pain…and prostitution for the money to buy them. As a member of L.A.’s Crips gang, she was shot three times in the back. After her recovery, she spiraled from being a functional addict to a hard-core crack addict – dirty and living on the streets. This was her “rock-bottom,” but with the help of family and fellow addicts, she managed to turn her life around. Now, as a successful San Francisco attorney, she’s a living testament to the fact that anything is possible.

Meeting Information:

All I.S.I.S. meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.
Meetings are at the Dowd YMCA of the West Boulevard Library.

Stratford Richardson YMCA Teen Fashion Troupe

Mentors:

• LeAnn Harley
• Nicole Knight

Program Description:

• The Stratford Richardson YMCA Fashion Troupe is open to males and females of all shapes and sizes ages 12-18
• Participants will lean confidence, healthy lifestyles, the latest fashion trends and fashion techniques!
• Throughout the program, teens will plan a fashion show to be held at the end of the summer

Meeting Information:

All meetings and practices will be held at the Dowd YMCA. Additional practices may be added to the schedule as needed

Mentor:

Mark Pendergrass

Program Description:

• The Stratford Richardson Photojournalism program is open to males and females ages 12-18
• This program teaches basic, intermediate and advanced photography techniques that can be applied to school yearbooks, newsletters, newspapers, magazine, photo contests, photo exhibits as well as your basic family photo album
• Students learn to develop an understanding of how to get the best images from your camera while utilizing the aperture, shutter speeds, lighting and other basic photography concepts
• The YMCA provides cameras/equipment and the students learn to use their creative minds to compose memorable images
• Students spend the majority of the time on-location shooting pictures at numerous events
• There is also classroom time to learn about cameras, editing digital images and the students are working on a teen newspaper/letter entitled “Teen Scoop” to be developed in the near future

Meeting Information:

The Photojournalism meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at various locations throughout the Charlotte area. Transportation is provided to and from each activity.