Welcome to the Childress Klein YMCA
In 1989, the Childress Klein YMCA opened its doors to the community in uptown Charlotte. We serve over 7,500 people each year and offer our members high-quality service, personal attention, customized class schedules and top-of-the-line fitness facilities. The Childress Klein YMCA is an adult-only branch and welcomes members 16 year of age or older.
We’re more than a gym; beyond fitness, we engage the community by fostering connection among YMCA members and offering ways to give back. We are especially proud of our branches support of the Y Readers program helping students read proficiently.
Find Your Fit
It's how we empower communities.
SUMMER POSITIONS AVAILABLE
We seek dynamic, experienced and dependable individuals to join our team for the summer season as lifeguards and camp counselors
The Y is committed to meeting our community’s most critical needs and serving where we are needed most! In response to COVID-19, the Y has helped collect and distribute 2 Million personal protective equipment items (PPE) for those in need.
Volume up!! We have an exciting announcement for you...that starts this week!
In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating leaders making a difference in our Y today. Meet Ken Porter, fitness experience coordinator at Morrison YMCA. Ken has worked for the Y since 2013. He strives to leave a positive impact on as many people and families as he can – “whether that’s offering a simple but genuine greeting, assisting someone to reach their fitness goals, or just being a cheerleader for someone in life, fitness or sports.”
When asked what being anti-racist means to him, Ken shared: “It’s all about standing up for what you believe in. I believe in equality at all levels, so if there's something going on that is racist, I try to do everything I can to remove it and replace it with something that promotes equal value.” Ken loves music, food, enjoying time with friends and family, and he spends much of his time playing, watching and coaching sports (including ultimate frisbee!).
Meet Gerald! Gerald became involved with the YMCA through friends in his community. After being an active member in the Y and his passion for fitness, he was invited to join the staff team. Beginning in March, Gerald will be teaching Group Power at Childress Klein on Mondays from 12pm-12:45pm.
Favorite Quote: “Finish strong, and reap the benefits of success!”
Favorite workout song: WIN
Favorite healthy snack: Triscuits and hummus
Why is working out important to you: Working out is important to me because I’m a cardiac arrest survivor. My heart stopped 10 years ago for 10 minutes. I chose to prioritize my health and working out.
Fun Fact: In the 1st two national bodybuilding shows I competed in (with no experience at all), I placed 2nd, and 1st.
Why the Y? As an organization that is devoted to improving community health and wellness, the Y has been able to provide reduced cost access to nearly 24,000 people!
In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re re-sharing the 27th annual MLK Holiday Celebration our Y hosted last month to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This powerful event features song, dance, prayer, and a compelling conversation with Martin Luther King III focused on equity and inclusion.
In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating leaders making a difference in our Y today. Pamela Hempstead has been with our Y for 10 years, and currently serves as the group exercise and health equity director at McCrorey and Stratford Richardson YMCAs. Pamela is a gifted encourager and teacher, she’s passionate about health and wellness, and her career goals are to “continue being open to positions that afford me the opportunity to walk in my purpose.”
When asked what being anti-racist means to Pamela, she shared: “Being anti-racist means to represent what is right at all cost. It also means being open to having your worldview challenged.”
When she’s not supporting the health of our community, Pamela loves to cook and garden – “It’s so satisfying to create meals that are both delicious and beneficial, and how cool is it to cook food from your own garden?!”
Our very own McCrorey YMCA represents a piece of history within our Y and the Charlotte community. This year, McCrorey Y celebrates 85 years! The McCrorey Y was founded in 1936 as a YMCA for the Black community in a segregated South. Originally located on 2nd Street in Charlotte’s historic Brooklyn neighborhood and called the Second Street YMCA, the branch was dedicated to providing opportunities for spiritual growth, learning and leadership development for Black men in Charlotte.
In 1951 the Second Street YMCA was renamed the H.L. McCrorey YMCA, and the branch relocated to its current location on Beatties Ford Road in 1969. Today, the McCrorey YMCA remains a vibrant community cornerstone in northwest Charlotte. #BlackHistoryMonth #McCroreyYMCA