It's another week full of live workouts from your favorite instructors on the YMCA of Greater Charlotte page!

During Welcoming Week, we are proud to recognize team members’ stories of immigration and naturalization. Astrid Chirinos serves as the executive director of Simmons YMCA – which is also home to one of three New American Welcome Centers at YMCA of Greater Charlotte. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to North Carolina when she was 18, along with her family, to attend college. She believes that “home” is any place where one’s presence and contributions are valued and celebrated, and that differences don’t need to be turned into biases. Regarding the immigration/naturalization process, she believes that it helps us to understand, and put in perspective, the core values of our nation and what the meaning of “belonging” is all about. A proud advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity, Astrid is proud of Simmons Y’s international community, and loves welcoming newcomers to the community through the Y. #WelcomingWeek

During Welcoming Week, we are proud to recognize team members’ stories of immigration and naturalization. Max Savar serves as the associate executive director of Harris & Harris Express YMCAs. Max was born and raised in Poland and moved to the United States when he was 20. Though he knew no English at the time, he knew he would regret not taking the chance to move to the U.S. where there were more opportunities for professional growth. Max feels privileged to be given the chance to live here. He’s proud of Poland’s history and independence, and wishes that schools in the U.S. encouraged more learning about other countries and cultures – he believes that would create greater understanding among people of different backgrounds and cultures. He is a proud husband and father, and misses his mother, who still lives in Poland. #WelcomingWeek

That post-race celebration may look a little different this year, but that feeling of accomplishment will remain the same after you complete your 2020 Virtual Run! Ballantyne. Register now and make your footprints count beginning October 31 through November 14! Participants can earn their 2020 YMCA Race Series medal by completing Run! Ballantyne and two other official YMCA races.

During Welcoming Week, we are proud to recognize team members’ stories of immigration and naturalization. Carola Cárdenas serves as executive director of Johnston YMCA. A proud Latina, Carola brings her learnings, experiences and who she is with her to work every day. Born in Venezuela, Carola moved to East Los Angeles as a young girl. At the age of 16, she was deported back to Venezuela as an undocumented immigrant. In 2001 Carola returned to the states with her now-husband and worked through her residency to become a U.S. citizen, a process she says was hard and strenuous. When asked about her home country, Carola says she misses her family, and notes that many Venezuelans lack access to food, toilet paper and basic medical supplies. Carola believes the key to making newcomers feel more welcome is to educate ourselves, be patient with one another and try to understand one another. #WelcomingWeek

#WelcomingWeek is a national celebration of the growing movement of inclusive communities that fully embrace immigrants and their contributions to our country. We are one of just 18 Y associations in the country that feature New American Welcome Centers! ymcacharlotte.org/mission/social-responsibility/global-services/new-american-welcome-center

Come on over to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte Facebook page for live workouts all week!

We are off to the races with the 2020 Virtual C2 Obstacle Trail Run! Register for this race as one of your three races to earn your 2020 YMCA Race Series medal. Registration is also open for the Virtual Run! Ballantyne and Virtual Krueger Reindeer Romp. Already completed your Virtual C2 or any of our other 2020 races? Share your photos using #CLTYMCARaceSeries on social!