Give your teen a summer job to remember! Seasonal opportunities are open, apply today to get them ready for a summer of fun while learning valuable skills helping others: ymcacharlotte.org/apply

Today in Honor of Black History Month & National Girls & Women’s Day in Sports. We want to celebrate Wilma Rudolph, Jennifer King, Maia Chaka and Althea Gibson. These inspiring women have cultivated confidence and leadership for other girls and women like them around the world. “ The success of one women should be the inspiration of another” - Serena Williams

February is American Heart Month! ❤️ Wear RED this Friday, February 3rd to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease - the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes. The YMCA has resources to help you with lifestyle changes! We have a Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program and our partnership with Nutrition HealthWorks can help you identify healthy eating goals. Join us during a group exercise class or on the fitness floor to de-stress and meet your activity goals!

It’s only one month until the 44th Annual Truist Corporate Cup! Register for this 5K, Half Marathon, Relay, and Fun Run today. With new team participation categories, Charlotte’s Oldest Road Race will be our most impactful yet! 💪🏽 Register here: https://bit.ly/3IDfPtz

Past, present, or future, Black history is American history! We recognize and celebrate the love, impact, and stories that Black and African-Americans have cultivated in our country, culture and beyond during Black History Month!

We’re representing American Heart Month and raising awareness of cardiovascular disease in our RED today! Physical activity helps control high blood pressure, strengthens your heart, and reduces stress. Find a group exercise class you love or visit our fitness floor and get your heart pumping! Check out this article from Atrium Health for more heart healthy tips: https://atriumhealth.org/dailydose/2023/01/24/time-to-tune-into-your-heart-health #WearRedDay #AmericanHeartMonth

“Sometimes we are met with situations in life that no text book can fix.” –Katie Shaughnessy _____________________________________ "In 2016, Sarah, Katie's Daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. She soon discovered that no textbook could fix this type of situation as it was out of her hands. With a diagnosis such as this, there is so much uncertainty that comes along with it. Along this journey, Katie began her time with us, at the Morrison Family YMCA, serving in our Preschool department for 6 years. While going through one of the hardest and darkest periods of her life, with her daughter, Katie discovered that Yoga was the path that could help her to discover the peace, strength, and safety of an even mind. Katie was first introduced to yoga back in college, but practiced on and off for many years before really becoming consistent and dedicated, including taking classes at the Y. As she progressed, she wanted to share with others how yoga was instrumental to her in helping navigate one of the most difficult periods of her life. Which ultimately led Katie to become a Yoga Instructor: so that she could share her passion and help others understand and experience the benefits of the mind, body, spirit connection. After many years of teaching and training, Katie has recently attained her 500 hour yoga credential, and is one of our most sought out Yoga Instructors at Morrison and the Sara’s Y. She truly embodies what yoga is all about, it’s much more than just the physical poses as it is deeply rooted in spirituality. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and thrive as a Yoga Instructor. I am happy to report that Katie’s daughter, Sarah, is a healthy and happy senior at Marvin Ridge High School today. She will be graduating May '23!🎉" This weeks Staff Member Spotlight has been delivered on behalf of Donna Clem, our District Group Fitness Director and as we hold Katie near and dear to our hearts 💕 let's continue to celebrate her and all of her amazing work as a Mother and Instructor.

Exciting news! Starting Monday, February 6th, our Dee Dee Harris Program Access Center will be OPEN! Use this entrance on weekdays as a more convenient way to access our youth programs, including Y-Kids, Dance, Gymnastics, Preschool, and Afterschool!