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Jerry Bowens sees the McCrorey YMCA as more than just a place to play games, hang out with other teens and shoot the breeze.
 It’s also where the West Charlotte High School senior has honed his leadership skills, built meaningful friendships and surrounded himself with caring adults in a safe environment.

 “They just make you feel like you’re important. They push you to strive for excellence,” said Bowens, 18, who has been active at the McCrorey YMCA since age 8. “They want you to be a leader among your classmates and in your community. The counselors there really care about you. It feels like a family.”

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte serves more than 86,000 youth annually at its nearly two dozen branches. Teen programs vary from location to location, and activities include sports, arts and craft, physical workouts, photojournalism classes and Friday night hangouts.
YMCA staff aim to provide teens with better life choices and routinely involve them in meaningful ways through focus/interest groups and leadership opportunities.

At the Stratford Richardson YMCA, teens can participate in a variety of opportunities, including a monthly program that features a live DJ, swimming, basketball, games and food.

In addition, a photojournalism class teaches photography techniques. Students spend most of the time on location shooting pictures of different events. Classroom time is dedicated to learning about cameras and editing digital images. Teens produce photo exhibits that are displayed throughout the Carolinas.

Healthy lifestyles are promoted through Club F.I.T (Fitness Instruction for Teens), a partnership with Wilson Middle School that teaches proper strength-training techniques.

“Our programs are very unique,” said Jessica Williams, teen director at the Stratford Richardson YMCA. “We are constantly surveying the teens in the community to provide them with the activities that they want to participate in. We figure the best mouth piece for our programs are our participants.”

In July, the McCrorey YMCA will expand its offerings for teens when it opens the new Titus L. Ivory Sr. Teen Center. The center will focus primarily on four areas: academics, health, technology and career development.

 Funding for the teen center comes from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s Promises for the Future capital campaign, which topped $50 million. The McCrorey YMCA received more than $1 million to launch the center and add a new entryway.

Before construction began, leaders at the McCrorey YMCA surveyed teens in the TILT (Teens In Leadership Training) program about what they wanted in the teen center. The 1,000 square-foot facility will house a computer lab, interactive video games such as Nintendo Wii that promote physical activity, a movie screen and homework and lounge areas. A photography class will also be available to teens.

Keith Vinson, executive director of the McCrorey YMCA, said the new center will fill a void for teens along Charlotte’s northwest corridor.
“It is a place where teens can come consistently to be able to connect and engage with other young people around positive influences,” Vinson said. “When we take a look at the growing gang problem that Charlotte has, we want to say that we’re a part of decreasing the negative behaviors of some young people.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe said he expects the teen center to empower youth and help them develop into young adults.
“It allows them a place of their own to learn life and social skills. It’s also a safe haven,” Monroe said. “It will prevent teens from getting involved in any destructive activity and keep them on the right path.”

During the school year, the teen center will open Mondays through Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for youth ages 12-18; Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may vary on holidays and when schools are closed.

A teen membership at the McCrorey YMCA is $60 annually. Financial assistance is available for teens who are unable to pay.

For more information about the teen center and programs at the McCrorey YMCA, contact Rommel Ritarita, senior program experience director, at (704) 716-6511 or rommel.ritarita@ymcacharlotte.org.

Monroe said the YMCA’s teen programs are making a difference in the lives of teens.
 
“It provides great opportunities for teens and allows them to have a more positive outlook,” the police chief said. “It also allows them to make correct choices in life.”
 
Though Bowens will enroll at UNC Chapel Hill and major in business this fall, he plans to return to the McCrorey YMCA to enjoy the new teen center during summers, possibly working as a counselor.
 
“I’m definitely coming back.”

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