February Newsletter: More to love at the Y
There's more to love at the Y
The past few months have been difficult for everyone. To lend a hand, we have a special deal for the community this month. Come in with a receipt from a locally owned business for $15 or more to get a FREE day pass. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a three-month membership. Read more here.
Already a member? We have something special for you too! Stop in at the front desk with your receipt to get rewarded for supporting local businesses. And from Feb. 10-14, we invite you to Feel the Love with sweet surprises for Member Appreciation Week.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Be a team player
Youth sports at the Y help kids stay active, make new friends, and develop important life skills. Sign up now for these spring sports:
- Flag football begins March 22 for ages 5-14
- Soccer starts March 15 for kids ages 3-13
Youth basketball playoffs begin soon. Thanks to our friends at WellCare for sponsoring this season.
Date night done right
Parents Night Out (PNO) is a favorite for adults and kids alike. Check out all the options this month to plan a special Valentine's Day evening out. Learn more and find the location that works best for you here.
Fitness with the family
Join us for a Family Bootcamp at the Reuter Family YMCA on Sat., Feb. 15 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Make the most of your workout time while helping your kids discover the benefits of staying active. Children ages 5 and older are welcome to join. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more and sign up here.
Spring into adventures
Gear up for an unforgettable spring break adventure! From April 14-18, kids in grades 6-8 can join us for a thrilling hiking and camping expedition along the iconic Appalachian Trail. Starting at YMCA Youth Services Center at Beaverdam in Asheville and ending at beautiful YMCA Camp Watia near Bryson City, this journey promises excitement at every turn. Your camper will explore the great outdoors, find new friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Learn more and register here.
Make a splash on swim team
Take your swimming skills to the next level with the Piranhas! Our year-round competitive swim team offers expert coaching and technique instruction for youth swimmers of all abilities. Whether you're a novice or an international competitor, our goal is to help you improve your swimming skills and achieve success. Our championship season kicks off this month. Learn more about the Piranhas here.
HEALTHY LIVING
Be smarter, get stronger
EGYM is coming to the Hendersonville Family Y on Feb. 21! This sophisticated smart strength circuit takes the guesswork out of strength training and helps you create a routine to reach your goals. The system uses your personalized profile to automatically adjust as it guides you through your workout and tracks your progress. Click here to learn more about EGYM. This amenity, which is exclusive to the YMCA of WNC, is included in your membership. Orientation is required. Schedule your onboarding session here.
YMCA360 is around the corner
A new and improved virtual experience will drop soon for Y members! With YMCA360, our members will have access to more than 2,000 on-demand workouts, live group exercise classes, kids' activities, educational videos, and more. Stay tuned for access instructions.
Join our free 5k training for the Chamber Challenge
Ready to get off the couch and start training for Asheville's annual Chamber Challenge 5k? Join us for six weeks of free training designed for ALL fitness levels with YMCA personal trainer Suzanne Ion. Session will be held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. starting March 18 and ending April 22 at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). These training sessions are open to the public. Chamber Challenge registration is not required, but participants will be entered into a drawing for a free race entry. Learn more here.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Black history is Y history
Did you know that Black History Month has roots associated with the Y? In 1915, after attending a celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of emancipation, Carter Woodson convened a small gathering at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in Chicago and formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). The Association created Negro History and Literature Week, renamed Negro Achievement Week, later Negro History Week and eventually Black History Month. Learn more about Black leaders in the Y and their accomplishments in this video.
Love where you work
The Y is a nonprofit community benefit organization, which means that our staff are building a stronger community. We offer competitive pay, a free Y membership, career advancement opportunities, and excellent full-time benefits, including one of the nation’s best retirement plans. We have immediate openings for membership, childcare staff, lifeguards, summer camp staff, and more. Help us serve the community. Join our team today!
You make the community stronger
Thanks to generous giving, the YMCA is a vital community asset. Here’s a snapshot of the local impact we made in 2024:
- Distributed 115,800+ pounds of free, fresh produce
- Helped 1,560+ afterschool students achieve
- Trained 5,750+ kids to be stronger swimmers
- Contributed 4,000 volunteer hours to our community
See our annual impact report for a closer look at how we put your gifts to work. We invite you to help us strengthen the foundation of our community. Give today and make a difference tomorrow.
How to support youth mental health
The Y is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment for youth and their families. We offer free Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings every month to equip family members, caregivers, teachers, and other caring citizens with tools to build resilience, foster meaningful connections, and support mental health in our community. Your participation matters. Together, we can continue to nurture the spirit, mind, and body of every youth we serve. Find training dates here.