We live in a time when ‘third places’ – social spaces that are neither home nor work/school – are more important and yet less available for teens than in generations past. In an era when teens are experiencing higher rates of depression and anxiety than ever before, we need to make sure they have positive and engaging places to spend time with others.
Our high-quality teen programs build:
At our Y, we’ve worked for the last few years to build spaces and programs that meet these needs for local teens. But we need YOUR help to sustain our teen programs and to help them grow!
giving access to safe, fun social spaces for teens at our monthly Teen Night Out events.
providing one week of financial aid to make our summer Counselors-in-Training program accessible to a local teen.
providing a safe place for local teens to socialize, exercise, and hang out from June-August, when school is out for the summer!
funding a student in our Youth and Government program to attend Model General Assembly!
This is an annual mock-legislature experience where teens prepare, debate, and vote on bills, preparing them for a future of civic engagement.
funding registration for one teen from our Y's Leaders Club to attend the YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders School in July! Leaders Club is a year-round YMCA program focusing on leadership, character, fitness, and service.
Teens work all year to earn enough service hours to qualify for the Blue Ridge Leaders School conference, which alumni describe as transformative and life-changing. Unfortunately, this year there are increased costs and limited space at Blue Ridge Leaders School due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. We have the maximum allowed number of participants - 6 teens - slated to go to BRLS this summer, and we are incredibly proud of them!
Questions? Please reach out to Alice Dontanville, VP of Marketing & Communications, at (434) 270-8709 or adontanville@piedmontymca.org.
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