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Empowering teens to reach their full potential!

In 2022, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina piloted a Teen Referral Membership initiative — REACHING OUR POTENTIAL. This program provides students aged 11-18 years old in our communities with a free membership to access the Y’s fitness facilities, group exercise classes, basketball courts, swimming pools, and so much more.

In a world full of isolation and unrest that’s present in our own communities, it is more important than ever that we keep our young people engaged in positive experiences in healthy, safe environments. Programs such as REACHING OUR POTENTIAL help students cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement to help teens reach their full potential.

What is included in the initiative:

  • A free Teen Membership through the end of 2024
  • Access to resources provided through the Y by community partners
  • Ability to participate in teen special events
  • A leadership retreat to YMCA Camp Hanes

See below for a list of schools and community partners. If you don't see your school listed please contact your local YMCA branch.

Questions? Contact your local branch today to get more information. If you have any questions regarding registration, you may contact the YMCA of NWNC Member Service Center at memberservice@ymcanwnc.org, or call 336 777 8055, option 8.

Scan all Reaching our Potential forms to ropi@ymcanwnc.org or Adam Cardwell at a.cardwell@ymcanwnc.org.

  • Alexander
  • Davie
  • Forsyth
  • Iredell
  • Stokes
  • Wilkes
  • Yadkin
  • Action4Equity
  • Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Church Groups
  • Crosby Scholars (Iredell County)
  • Crosby Scholars (Winston-Salem)
  • Forsyth County Public Safety Center
  • Gear Up
  • Guiding Institute for Developmental Education (GIDE)
  • Hispanic League
  • Iredell Statesville Schools
  • Latino Community Services
  • My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper of Winston-Salem
  • My Brothers Second Chance
  • Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods
  • Novant Health
  • Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont
  • Salem College
  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Wake Forest University
  • Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
  • Winston-Salem Police Department
  • Winston-Salem State University

For students to be eligible for this initiative, they must be referred by their school guidance counselor, school resource center, a YMCA staff member, or a YMCA community partner, be enrolled in and attending middle or high schools, and must meet one or all of the following below: 

  • Currently in the foster care system
  • High risk of not graduating due to academic or attendance challenges
  • Low income and/or live in a single-parent household
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) needs

Contact your local YMCA for more information if you are a school provider or community partner.

Scan all Reaching our Potential forms to ropi@ymcanwnc.org or Adam Cardwell at a.cardwell@ymcanwnc.org.

To be eligible for this initiative:

  • Must be referred by their school guidance counselor, a YMCA staff member, or a community partner
  • Be enrolled and attend middle or high school
  • Complete the Teen Referral Membership Form, the YMCA Membership Application and the COVID-19 waiver. (Participants will need a Parent/Guardian signature on the Membership Application and the COVID waiver.)
  • Attend a “REACHING OUR POTENTIAL ORIENTATION” at the Y and complete a pre- and post-survey
  • Additional eligibility needed, see guidance counselor, school resource center, YMCA staff member, or a YMCA community partner for more information

Teen Membership Referral Form

Teen Referral Flyer

Teen Membership Referral Form (Spanish)

Teen Referral Flyer (Spanish)

Membership Application

COVID waiver

Please also fill out the COVID-19 waiver to visit our branches.

Our Mission: "Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body."