Legislative Priorities
YMCAs advocate for policies that strengthen families and communities; this advances our impact. Each year, NC YMCA leaders and volunteers attend YMCA of the USA's National Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., and State Advocacy Day in Raleigh to meet with legislators and educate them about how our Ys are serving community and about policies that strengthen our ability to be impactful.
NC YMCA's legislative priorities for 2025 are below.
Youth Development
Empowering young people to reach their full potential, NC YMCAs advocate for:
- Teen mental health: funding to help YMCAs expand youth and teen programming
- Update the child care subsidy reimbursement rate floor
- Modifying school-age child care rules care for licensed programs, making them more developmentally appropriate
-Investment in Y's Youth & Government program to reach youth in all 100 counties
Healthy Living
Improving individual and community health and well-being, NC YMCAs advocate for:
- Investments for Hurricane Helene build-back programs to support communities and programs serving Western North Carolina
- Access to affordable, high-quality health care and evidence-based programs for all North Carolinians
Social Responsibility
Providing support and inspiring action in our communities, NC YMCAs advocate for:
--Ensuring access to YMCA services and programs for all North Carolinians regardless of ability to pay
-Ensuring philanthropy and volunteerism remain pillars of community strength
-Protecting nonprofits from potential tax burdens that would limit the ability to serve all