YMCA of Greensboro
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WELCOMING WEEK 2025

Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 21

Join the YMCA of Greensboro for Welcoming Week 2025—a national celebration that brings together people of all backgrounds to build connections and foster inclusive communities. Held in partnership with Welcoming America, this annual event shines a spotlight on the power of unity, understanding, and shared humanity.

This year’s theme, "Belonging Begins With Us," reflects the Y’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community for all. Throughout the week, each of our YMCA branches will host unique activities designed to celebrate diversity, promote cross-cultural exchange, and help every individual feel seen, valued, and connected.

Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the Y, we invite you to be part of something special. Come learn about the vast cultures within our community, meet your neighbors, and experience the joy of belonging.

Membership Promotion for New Members

We’re waiving the join fee for all new members September 18–20! Discover a place where everyone belongs—enjoy access to fitness classes, pools, youth and family programs, and more. Financial assistance is available, and your membership supports a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening our community. Join us and Find Your Y today! Use the code WELCOMEWEEK25 when you start your new membership to waive the join fee.


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WELCOMING WEEK EVENTS

Bryan Family YMCA

All Week Long

  • Interactive Map: Pin your family's country of origin
  • International Bingo cards at the front desk
  • Youth Soccer: Wear favorite international/FIFA team jerseys

Events

  • Sept. 15 (Mon): League of Women Voters Voter Registration Drive
  • Sept. 18 (Thurs): Cone Health Mobile Screening Unit on-site
  • Sept. 20 (Sat): International Dance Party with global dance styles

Eden Family YMCA (Tentative)

All Week Long

  • Interactive world map in the lobby

Youth Development

  • Spanish speaker story time in After School program (TBD)

Ragsdale Family YMCA

All Week Long

  • Interactive world map in the lobby
  • Lobby decorations with international flags
  • International snack sampling station

Events

  • Therapy Dogs Visit (Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.)
  • Voter Registration with LWV of the Piedmont Triad (Sept. 18, 5–8 p.m.)
  • Free 10-minute chair massages by GTCC massage students (Sept. 17, 6-9 p.m.)

Reidsville Family YMCA

Sports

  • Practice Opener (Sept. 15-20): Team greeting in a different language each day
  • Game Day (Sept. 20): Teams will recite greetings at game start
  • The field will be decorated with international flags and a "Barrier Breakers" board featuring athlete stories

Wellness

  • Wellness Bingo: Includes fun prompts like “Say hello to someone new,” “Try a cultural recipe,” and more
  • Zumba Gold (Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m.): Join us for cultural beats, featuring African and belly dance styles
  • Falls Prevention Classes: One session aligns with our Welcoming Week kickoff

Youth Development

  • Daily cultural story time in After School program

Aquatics

  • Water Safety signage in multiple languages around the pool and on our social media pages

Membership

  • Photo booth with international flags and "I Belong Here" frame
  • Every day, the front desk will feature “Hello” signage in different languages

Spears YMCA

All Week Long

  • Community Puzzle: The branch will have puzzle pieces available for visitors to write their names on and decorate. As the pieces are added, the puzzle will symbolize how each of us is different but can come together to create something wonderful
  • Belonging Wall: When you visit the Spears Family YMCA, we'll ask, “What does belonging/welcoming mean to you?” Responses will be displayed on the wall near the front desk

Events

  • Voter Registration (Sept. 15 & 22): The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad will host a table in the branch lobby

Stoney Creek Express YMCA

All Week Long

  • Interactive map for members to pin their families' origins

Wellness Classes