January 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 15, 2024 marks a day of service honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We invite you to answer the call to serve our neighbors and communities through volunteer and service opportunities at our YMCAs.
Click here to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr.!
February 2024
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina wants to share and celebrate the rich history of the Winston Lake Family YMCA REACH Center, a historically Black YMCA that served as a safe haven during a turbulent time in U.S. history. From 1941-1956, our YMCA was listed in the Green Book during the era of Jim Crow laws, when open and often legally prescribed discrimination against African Americans and other people of color was widespread. The Green Book was an annual guidebook for African American roadtrippers to identify services and places relatively friendly to African Americans so they could find lodging, business and other services along the road.
The Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission launched a story map that shares the history of the 18 businesses in Winston-Salem that were listed in the Green Book. To learn more about the Y’s role during that time click here and click “8: Y.M.C.A.” at the top.
Did you know that Black History Month was born at a YMCA in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood? Click here to learn more!
We Wear Black
The African American Resource Network (AARN) is excited to host the We Wear Black 2024 virtual experience on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 2:00-3:00pm EST. We Wear Black is an experience to bring unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice and inequity. Join YMCAs across the country to ensure those who come after us have a greater opportunity to thrive.
- We wear black to bring awareness to the institutional and systemic racism and oppression of black and brown people in the United States and around the world.
- We wear black to honor the struggle of those who came before us.
- We wear black in unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice and inequality.
- We wear black to do our part to ensure that future generations have great opportunities and access to thrive.
Click here to register for the upcoming We Wear Black 2024!
Capture your #WeWearBlack moment by taking a picture and posting it to social media with #Ywewearblack.
March 2024
Women’s History Month
In March, we commemorate Women’s History Month and mark International Women’s Day on March 8. We are celebrating and reflecting on the roles women play which strengthen communities and advance agendas for the greater good of all people. In looking around our Association, our region and across the globe, we see promising leadership and vision being shown by many women.
Amplify
On March 8, Y-USA’s Women's Leadership Resource Network (WLRN) will be hosting a free virtual experience in celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2024. The goal of this virtual experience is to gather women and their allies who work and volunteer for the global Y Movement, to connect, empower, and grow. The theme of International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity and we will be addressing the theme throughout the event.
Y-USA will be hosting this virtual event on Zoom, and it is open to all Y employees and volunteers globally at no cost. The virtual event will focus on gender equity, celebrate women’s achievements, and raise awareness for a gender equal world, one free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Together we know we can create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Click here to register for this virtual event! *You must be logged into LINK to access this event.
May 2024
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, diverse cultures and the extensive histories of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. At the Y, we believe our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome and we work together for the common good. This month and all months, we are celebrating our staff, volunteers, board members and the impact they have made on our community. Click here for more information, images, videos and other material detailing the Asian and Pacific Islander community’s valuable influence in the U.S.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Our mental health directly influences how we think, feel, or act. In addition, just as we need to take care of our bodies, we need to take care of our minds as well.
Teen Mental Health Resource Hub
With funding provided by the state, North Carolina YMCAs are working together to increase awareness about mental health resources available to teens and their families. Many teens in North Carolina and nationwide are experiencing mental health challenges, but help is available! The Teen Mental Health Resources Hub features resources for teens and their families, including where to get help, crisis hotlines, how to talk about mental health challenges, and more.
June 2024
Pride Month
Every minute of every day of every month, we strive to fulfill our mission by creating safe spaces for all to feel welcomed, loved and supported so everyone can reach their full potential. The “for all” is at the heart of the Y’s mission and is intentional, purposeful and inclusive. Driven by our commitment to ensuring everyone is treated with compassion and dignity, we are dedicated to supporting and welcoming all adults, youth, members, volunteers, board members and staff. The Y is an organization that is a welcoming place for all.
Juneteenth – June 19
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865 the day enslaved African Americans in the state of Texas were informed by Major General Gordan Granger in accordance with a proclamation from the executive decree of the United States, all slaves are free. Since 1865, Juneteenth has largely been celebrated in the African American community.
Click here to learn more about Juneteenth! The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina invites you to join us in raising awareness of Juneteenth’s significance, being part of the reckoning with our shared national history and pursuing the opportunities for a stronger community for all. Click here for upcoming Juneteenth events in Winston-Salem, NC.
August 2024
21 Day Equity Challenge
Welcome to the YMCA 21-Day Equity Challenge! Get ready to grow and learn with others interested in creating stronger, more united communities. This experience will provide you with the resources and tools needed to take a ‘deep dive’ into topics and issues that impact each of us.
Registration will open up soon for 2024!
September 2024
Welcoming Week
September 13-22, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina will join communities across the nation for Welcoming Week, a Y movement that celebrates our diverse backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of welcoming everyone. At the Y, we are for all. Join your local branch and take part in the fun activities we have planned for you
Learn more about Welcoming Week
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15-October 15
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Discover documents, exhibits, films, blog posts and more from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries that highlight Hispanic culture. Click here for more information on Hispanic Heritage Month!
More information coming soon about the 2024 Fiesta event in Winston-Salem!
October 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: October 14
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the resilience and success of Native and Indigenous communities and people. Click here to learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
World Mental Health Day: October 10
On World Mental Health Day, we want to remind you to take some time for yourself. Whether that is joining a group exercise class, swimming laps or simply enjoying a few minutes of meditation, it is important to do something that brings you joy! Be sure to look over our website to learn more about the Y’s offerings. #WorldMentalHealthDay
November 2024
In honor of #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we encourage you to LEARN about the contributions, achievements and struggles of Native Americans through their own words. Visit nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov for resources featuring the work and viewpoints of Native American individuals and communities. #YForAll