YWCA's Youth Learning Centers: where children are safe and learning is fun!

At the YWCA, our youth engage in healthy social behavior and build relationships with children their own age. YWCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are at the heart of the Youth Learning Centers. These core values are incorporated into daily activities, games and conversation.

Program Outcomes (2008 - 2009)

• 82 percent of the youth participating in our program performed at or above grade level in reading.
• 84 percent of the youth participating in our program performed at or above grade level in math.
• Student suspension rates and school absences are down 40 percent.
• 100 percent of girls enrolled in the YWCA's Youth Learning Centers have NOT become pregnant.
• Community police have commended the YWCA’s Youth Learning Centers, citing a decrease in juvenile arrests due to the presence of our neighborhood based out-of-school programs.

Education

The YWCA Youth Learning Centers are academically-based with trained staff on hand to help youth complete their homework. The program emphasizes individual development, encourages team spirit to build self-confidence and character and provides youth with positive tools and skills that will last a lifetime.

Parents of YWCA participants work with after school staff and volunteers to develop homework, study and tutoring programs personalized to fit their child’s individual needs.  Center coordinators show children the crucial connection between academic success and achieving their future goals.  Career exploration speakers have included a mortician, firefighter, medic, lawyer and cosmetologist.  YWCA youth visit local universities, community colleges and trade schools to explore continued education and career opportunities after high school.

Crossroads Charlotte

YWCA Central Carolinas has launched Adopt-A-Center: a Crossroads Charlotte Initiative with a focus on helping youth and community volunteers build social capital and foster interracial trust. Through the Adopt-A-Center initiative, each youth learning center enters into formal partnership with volunteers from one company, institution of higher learning, place of worship, or other defined group, bringing both human and financial resources to the site over time.  Specifically, a core group of volunteers from the partner organization will commit to a long-term relationship with one Youth Learning Center, offering tutorial support, mentoring, shadowing jobs, facilitating Teaching Tolerance activities, and channeling support to that particular community of families served by the YWCA.

Interested in Learning More?
For more information about the YWCA Youth Learning Center in your neighborhood, contact Erica Frazier at 704.525.5770, ext. 218 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .