February Newsletter: You Belong at the Y

You belong here
We love to love you at the Y! Stop by our centers during the week before Valentine’s Day for some sweet surprises.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Game on this spring
Whether your child is trying a sport for the first time or building on their skills, youth sports at the Y help kids build confidence, make new friends, and develop important life skills.

This season, we’re offering:

• Flag football (ages 5-14, in partnership with NFL FLAG)
• Soccer (ages 5-14)
  • Kiddie Kickers (ages 3-4, in partnership with MLS GO at the Corpening Memorial Y)
  • Youth clinics (ages 5-10)
• Volleyball – Girls clinics (ages 8-13)

Registration is now open for the season, which begins in March. Click here to find all available options.

Make it a date
Enjoy a well-deserved night out while your kids have a fun, safe evening of their own! Our Parents Night Out program gives you the chance to drop off your children for an exciting night filled with themed activities in a safe, caring environment. Search options here. And remember, Household memberships and single adult memberships with dependents receive one free Parents Night Out session per child each quarter.

Camp is calling
Few summer camps offer the variety of activities that you can find at the Y. Your camper will try new things and build confidence while you have peace of mind knowing they’re in a safe, enriching environment. Find the full or half-day camp that fits your family here.

Looking for more adventure? YMCA Camp Watia is an overnight camp where campers unplug from devices and connect with nature, find new friends, and make memories that last a lifetime. Find dates and register here. Financial assistance is available for all Y camp programs.

Learn skills that matter
Youth ages 14-18 are invited to teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA), a training designed to help them look out for friends who may be struggling with mental health or substance use challenges. Teens will learn how to recognize signs that a friend may need support and how to respond in a safe, caring way. Click here to sign up.

HEALTHY LIVING

Learn to be heart-healthy
Celebrate Heart Health Month by giving yourself some love! Join us at the Asheville YMCA on Monday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for a special Senior Health Fair, presented by Hopscotch Primary Care. This event will feature free health screenings, wellness presentations, and helpful heart‑healthy tips. Connect with others and learn ways you can build a stronger, healthier you.

Get help to prevent diabetes
If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, our Diabetes Prevention Program can help. In this free program, we provide support and assistance to help you adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eligible participants now get two free InBody 380 body composition scans. This resource will help you set goals and track your progress over time. To see if you qualify and to get started, email [email protected] or call 828-251-5910.

Connect with a coach
Sticking to healthy habits can be challenging. A Coaching Connection is a great way to help you find the motivation and direction you need to stay on track with your resolutions. This resource is free for all Y members. Click here to get started.

Making time for you
We’re excited to share that new hours are coming soon to the Asheville and Woodfin Ys.

• Starting Feb. 15, the Woodfin Y will stay open until 5 p.m. on Sundays.
• Beginning March 1, the Asheville Y will offer expanded hours, including:
  • Sunday: Open earlier at 9 a.m.
  • Monday–Friday: Open earlier at 5 a.m.
  • Monday–Thursday: Open later until 10 p.m.
  • Friday: Open later until 9 p.m.

We hope these updates will make it even easier to fit the Y into your schedule!

Join our free 5k training
Ready to shake off the winter chill? It’s almost time to start training for Asheville's annual Chamber Challenge 5k. Starting March 17, join us for six weeks of free training designed for ALL fitness levels. These training sessions will be open to the public. Stay tuned for more details.

Discover something new
Whether you're interested in crafting, games, learning new things, or finding a supportive community, the Y offers a wide array of activities for different interests and needs. Find events 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 toward our organization and society. Watch the History of Black Leaders in the YMCA video here.

Together, we achieve more
Thanks to generous giving, here’s a snapshot of the impact the Y made in 2025:

• Distributed 246,600+ pounds of free, fresh produce
• Helped 1,400+ afterschool students achieve
• Trained 1,350+ kids to be stronger swimmers
• Contributed 3,400+ volunteer hours to our community

See our annual impact report for a closer look at the ways 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.

Help clean up our community
Join fellow YMCA members for Hearts in Service Week: Love Your Community. This hands-on Togetherhood volunteer project will clean up litter near our YMCA locations.

• Thursday, Feb. 12
  • Reynolds Village (north Asheville/Woodfin), 12-1:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 13
  • Beacon Village, 1-2:30 p.m.
  • Biltmore Park, 10-11:30 a.m.
  • Hendersonville Y, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Sand Hill Road, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • West Marion, 2-4 p.m.

Feeding our neighbors
The Y’s mobile food markets bring free, healthy produce and nutrition education to people in five counties each month. Find our upcoming schedules here.

Love where you work
Working at the Y is more than just a job. Every day, you can make a difference. We offer a variety of positions, flexible schedules, a free Y membership, and more! View all available positions here.