If you’re a scoop fan or follower, chances are very good that the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has been in your life in more ways than one. Whether it’s been the group exercise classes and the weight room, yoga, adult swim, Y-Kids childcare (a lifesaver!), summer camps and after-school, swim lessons and pool fun, youth sports, dance, gymnastics, and more, the Y has long been a partner in health and community for us and our families.
What you may not be thinking about on your daily/weekly Y visits is that the YMCA has been more than just “gym and swim” for decades – over 150 years in fact. By filling gaps and supporting urgent needs in our community, from water safety to safe spaces, the Y unites volunteers, participants, and neighbors to help ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstance or ability to pay, can benefit from the life-changing programs in the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.
This May 29th, the YMCA will host a Day of Giving, a single day for the community to join in and change the trajectory of a child’s life through youth development programs. Every dollar raised through the YMCA Day of Giving will support youth development programs like summer camp, afterschool, preschool, swim lessons, sports programs, and literacy initiatives like Y Readers.
Why Give?
• Across our country, families lack affordable childcare, forcing parents to make difficult decisions around their family’s needs and their child’s safety.
• Only 46% of third graders in our community are scoring proficient in reading. This benchmark is the best predictor of a child’s success in school and ability to graduate high school on time.
• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 to 4 years old, and is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 5 to 14 years old.
Thankfully, the Y is uniquely positioned to help meet these needs and reverse these sobering statistics. In 2024:
• The Y will provide over $2 million in financial scholarships for programs like preschool, afterschool and summer camp.
• Over 3,000 children will be served with literacy instruction through programs like Y Readers, which is offered at no charge to students.
• Over 1,500 children will receive swim lessons at affordable rates for their families.
The YMCA relies on the generosity of our community to ensure that every individual regardless of age, income or background, has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.
Give today, or on the Day of Giving, May 29, 2024, to make sure they, and we, can provide these services for all.
When you give to the Y, you create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
