[Charlotte, NC – July 5, 2019] – The YMCA of Greater Charlotte and City of Charlotte will partner to provide local teens free access to the YMCA this summer. The partnership will provide YMCA memberships for 400 teens across seven YMCA of Greater Charlotte locations throughout the region. Memberships will grant teens access to YMCA facilities and programs and City of Charlotte will provide free dinner Monday - Friday nights. Participating teens will be identified by the City and YMCA.

This opportunity aligns with the YMCA’s Level Up program, a year-round strategy that offers teens ages 13-18 free access to select neighborhood YMCAs on weekend nights. Level Up gives youth positive outlets for their time and energy and is designed to improve the trajectory of teens in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s opportunity gap by building trust between teens and police officers, preventing crime, promoting health and improving social capital in youth. Trained staff and volunteers engage teens in structured programming in addition to social time with friends in activities like basketball, swimming, fitness and art. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, one of the region’s largest providers of youth programs, served nearly 1,850 teens through Level Up in 2018.

“This is another fantastic example of a public and private partnership coming together for the greater good of our community,” said Mayor Vi Lyles. “Through this joint program with YMCA of Greater Charlotte, we will provide a fun, entertaining and engaging summer for our Charlotte teens.”  “We know that summer is a critical time for youth and it’s important to keep them engaged in meaningful opportunities and healthy behaviors,” said YMCA of Greater Charlotte CEO Todd Tibbits. “At the Y, we replace idle time with a safe environment, positive role models and transformational experiences that broaden horizons. We want our teens to know the doors to the Y are open to them. We are grateful to the City of Charlotte’s commitment to give teens a positive outlet for their time and energy this summer.”

About the YMCA of Greater Charlotte
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, comprised of 19 membership locations and two resident camps, engages approximately 274,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Deeply rooted in the community for 140 years, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcacharlotte.org

About the City of Charlotte
The City of Charlotte provides services to more than 860,000 residents. The city’s priorities are economic development, neighborhood development, transportation and planning, and well-managed government.  For the latest news and updates about city government, visit the citywide newsroom at newsroom.charlottenc.gov, and follow @CLTgov on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.