Belonging Begins With Us
Welcoming Week | September 9-18
The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina believes our communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome and we work together for the common good.
The Y is committed to helping all individuals, including newcomers, access the support and resources needed to reach their full potential. Our mission is “Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind, and body.” We believe that communities are at their strongest when everyone has an opportunity to contribute and work together on a shared vision for the future.
During Welcoming Week, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina and other businesses, non-profits, agencies and community organizations will host events to:
- Celebrate the diversity of our communities
- Bring together newcomers and long-standing residents to build mutual understanding
- Love on one another
Welcoming Week Events
During Welcoming Week, the Y will participate in a community event and host several free events that are open to the public, including:
- Friday, September 9: Kickoff our 2022 Welcoming Week events across our Association. Be on the lookout for all our events and join in on all the fun activities at your local Y.
- Saturday, September 10: 11:00am-6:00pm: Stop by our booth at the 30th Annual Hispanic League Fiesta in downtown Winston-Salem.
- Monday, September 12: YMCA of Northwest North Carolina branch lobbies will have a Welcoming Week Activity Card, Welcoming Week Map Activity and fun games.
- Tuesday, September 13: 11:00am-2:00pm: Join us for a Multicultural Fair at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA. Learn more about other countries, sample food and participate in fun activities. Feel free to show off your heritage by wearing your traditional attire.
- Wednesday, September 14: YMCA of NWNC branch lobbies will have an I’m a Welcomer Activity and fun games.
- Thursday, September 15: Fun games will be in YMCA of NWNC branch lobbies. Check out a Group Exercise or Water Fitness class at your local Y.
- Friday, September 16: Win prizes from any YMCA of NWNC branch with our Welcoming Week drawing! Try something new at your local Y: family fun time in the pool, a round of basketball and/or racquetball.
- Saturday, September 17: Register for the 4th Annual Dirty Dozen 5K Obstacle Mud Run or 1 Mile Fun Run at the Jerry Long Family YMCA. Click here to sign up! Join us for the Clemmons Parking Lot Party from 8:30am-12:30pm.
- Sunday, September 18: Support an immigrant-owned business in our community! Click here for a list.
- Friday, September 30 will be the LAST DAY to receive the Welcoming Week special membership offer! Stop by your local branch for more information.
Connecting With Our Community
- Welcoming Week runs through September 18 and coincides with a special membership offer at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. Stop by your local branch for more information.
- Are you a newcomer? Would you like to try out the Y? During Welcoming Week, we will offer a free 10 day pass to any newcomers at all YMCA of NWNC branches. See your local branch for more information.
- Do you have an amazing story to share with us? During Welcoming Week, we will highlight newcomers, immigrants owned businesses, members, volunteers, board members, and staff engaging in Welcoming Week activities on our social media pages. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #WelcomingWeek, #DEI and #YforAll when you post on your social media account.
- Check out our Y social media accounts throughout Welcoming Week for amazing stories about immigrants who are connected to our local branches as members, program participants, or both.
- Track your cycle miles? Join us as we track our miles across the YMCA of NWNC to highlight how far immigrants travel to get to the US from various countries. Click here to track your miles!