Did you know today is #WorldMentalHealthDay? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, just 30 minutes of walking a day can help boost your mood and improve health. Grab a friend or two and go for a walk together!

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating leaders who make a difference in our YMCA and beyond! Valeria Bermejo joined the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in 2017. Valeria’s parents are Mexican, and she grew up in a Mexican American home in New Jersey. Valeria shared: “I have always identified more with being Mexican American (Chicana) than Hispanic or Latina. It is the culture I have always felt more connected to. It is the way I speak Spanish, cook, the art I know, and love. It is a very specific experience.” Valeria is a Parent Educator with the Y’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, serving families in Charlotte’s South Blvd. corridor. Valeria first learned about the Y’s PAT program in an education class during her junior year of college: “At the time, I was a single mom to a baby girl. As I listened to the PAT team's presentation, I remember that I felt so inspired by the work they do.” After graduating, Valeria began looking for jobs with nonprofits that helped children and families, and reconnected with the Y and PAT. “I began working with Parents as Teachers in 2017 and most of my case load were teen moms. For my first 3 years I served 15 families and did home visits every week. I still keep in touch with some of them even though they are no longer on my case load.” As a PAT Parent Educator, Valeria works with families with children under age five to help parents learn about their child's development, connect families to community resources, and teach families how to advocate for their child in school.

Forest Hill Ballantyne and the Morrison Family YMCA at Ballantyne are hosting a Trunk or Treat event this Saturday. Dress the whole family up for the costume contest and be sure to bring those trick or treat bags along for lots of goodies! See you there 👻

When you put friends and fitness together, you get FUN! Join the Y today and get 10 FREE guest passes to share with your friends!

The 2021 Run! Ballantyne 8K, 5K & Fun Run presented by Northwood Office is on December 11th. Register NOW before prices increase on November 1st! Take advantage of current pricing – click here to register today: http://ow.ly/gCTI50GslZY

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating leaders who make a difference in our YMCA and beyond! Francine Molina has been with our YMCA for nearly five and a half years. In her current role as Youth Development Director at the Lincoln County YMCA, Francine oversees afterschool, preschool, sports, Y Kids and dance & tumble. Francine is a proud Puerto Rican. She was raised in the Bronx in New York and has always identified as a proud Hispanic woman. She shared: “My parents are from Puerto Rico and I was raised in a strong cultural home. My upbringing was based around my culture and the beliefs that my grandparents instilled in my parents. It was always an important part of our family for us to continue traditions from our native country, such as Three Kings Day.” It’s important to Francine to show pride in who she is and where she’s from, and she instills the same values in her children. The thing that makes Francine the most proud of being a Hispanic woman is the strength and passion that comes with that. "I was always taught that I was a strong Latina woman and to fight for what I believed in, even if no one else agreed. This instilled in me the confidence to not only be a voice for myself but for my community as well.” Francine acknowledged that at times the Hispanic community may be afraid to speak up, but Francine commits to stand by her community and “set an example and create a path for those who are afraid. In my household I was taught to stand up and be [a strong] voice, and for that I will always be thankful to my Grandmother Conga – she was a warrior and always did what was best for others and not for herself.”

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating leaders who make a difference in our YMCA and beyond! Gracinda Seidel, better known as Cindy to her Y family, currently serves as the Sales and Service Director at the Lowe’s YMCA. Cindy’s been with the Y for four and a half years, and she started her Y career as a part-time membership representative. Cindy shared: “I love the opportunity the Y gives me to meet new people of all ages and help them find their place of community within our safe space.” Cindy was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and says that being Hispanic means family, faith, fiesta and food. “Our heritage is diverse and colorful, filled with great culture,” says Cindy. “I love that we share our pride through food, community, family gatherings and Spanish music.”