YMCA of Greater Charlotte Earns Praesidium Accreditation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - (October 29, 2026) – The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has earned Praesidium Accreditation®, recognizing the organization’s commitment to meeting the highest national standards in abuse prevention and creating safe environments for the children, families and communities it serves. 

Praesidium Accreditation is a rigorous process that verifies an organization has not only established strong abuse prevention safeguards but is consistently putting those practices into action. The accreditation evaluates eight key areas of organizational operations: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, internal feedback systems, consumer participation, responding and administrative practices. 

The achievement builds on more than a decade of work between the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and Praesidium to strengthen abuse prevention efforts. The YMCA began the accreditation process with a comprehensive assessment to identify opportunities to strengthen its practices and systems and then worked over time to address those areas across the organization. 

As part of the accreditation process, Praesidium conducted site visits at YMCA of Greater Charlotte centers and camps and interviewed employees representing a wide range of roles and levels of the organization, from senior leadership and association staff to center management and frontline team members working directly with children. Following the visits, the YMCA completed an action plan addressing Praesidium’s observations before undergoing final review by the Praesidium Decision Committee. 

“Creating environments where children, families and everyone who walks through our doors can feel safe and supported is fundamental to who we are,” said Sue Glass, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “This accreditation reflects the commitment of team members across our organization who take that responsibility seriously every day. While safety requires constant attention and continuous improvement, this recognition provides important external validation that we have strong systems, practices and people in place to help prevent abuse and respond appropriately when concerns arise.” 

Praesidium Accreditation is valid for three years and represents an ongoing commitment to maintaining strong abuse prevention practices. For the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, the accreditation builds upon years of work to equip staff with the knowledge, tools and systems needed to recognize risks, help prevent abuse and respond effectively to concerns. 

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About the YMCA of Greater Charlotte 

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is one of the region’s leading nonprofits, dedicated to building deep connections and well-being while advancing upward mobility. Comprised of 14 membership centers, three program centers and two overnight camps, the Y nurtures the potential of children and teens, improves health and well-being, and inspires action to uplift communities. Deeply rooted in the Charlotte region for more than 150 years, the YMCA is building a stronger future centered on connection, health, well-being and community impact. Guided by a vision of thriving, empowered and connected communities dedicated to the health and well-being of all the YMCA of Greater Charlotte is committed to loving, serving and transforming lives so that individuals, families and communities across Charlotte can grow stronger together. 

About Praesidium 

Praesidium is the leading innovator of scientifically based solutions designed to transform the way organizations approach the prevention of sexual abuse. Praesidium’s expertise, consulting, and solutions help to foster safer environments for children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers, and all parties involved. For over 30 years, Praesidium has trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person. As the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally, Praesidium knows how sexual abuse happens and, more importantly, how to prevent it.