Serving All
True to our mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, each year the YMCA of Avery County, through our Community Outreach Programs, provides community members with a YMCA membership. These memberships help them maintain their independence, develop new friendships, and find their place in our community.
For more information on YMCA Outreach or to partner with the YMCA of Avery County on a community project contact Sheila Bauer at 737-5500
What We Do
Our Outreach programs are designed to serve all ages with an emphasis on serving Avery County Seniors. Our programs include brining healthy living programs to outreach sites throughout the county, perform home visits to assess daily living needs, deliver hot meals and aid in helping them maintain their independence to stay in their homes.
“About six years ago, in the Avery newspaper, I read about an Outreach Program happening in the community that included exercise. As a newcomer to the area this was exactly what I was looking for as a way to be active and meet new people. After a year, Sheila Bauer convinced me to try her Stretch, Tone, and Balance class at the Williams YMCA. I LOVED it! I met people who have become some of my lifelong friends. We do celebrations, holidays, and live life together all because of my experience with the Outreach Program at the Williams YMCA.”
2019 National Senior Health & Fitness Day Volunteers
Maintaining Independence
Community Outreach maintains the mindset of helping Avery Seniors stay in their own homes and live independently. Outreach volunteers help with home visits, general home assessments, meal deliveries, transportation to and from medical appointments, and much more!
2019 National Senior Health & Fitness Day Volunteers
National Senior Health and Fitness Day
National Senior Health & Fitness Day is an annual health and wellness event for older adults. The 30th annual event is set for Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The goals of National Senior Health & Fitness Day are to promote the importance of regular physical activity and to show what local organizations are doing to improve the health of older adults in their communities. Join us to learn about all of the resources available in Avery County for older adults!
English Video
Spanish Video
Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program (HOP) is a unique program being offered in 18 counties across Western North Carolina and in 15 counties in Eastern North Carolina. HOP delivers whole-person care through coordinated physical health, behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, and pharmacy products and care models. It addresses the full set of factors that impact health (both medical and non-medical) and performs localized care management at the site of care, in the home or community. The HOP program is open to most Medicaid-managed care enrollees who meet additional criteria.
For more information about the HOP program please visit the Impact Health website.
The Williams YMCA of Avery County’s Outreach Team works with Impact Health to identify and connect Medicaid patients with services that address the social determinants of health, leading to improved health and wellness for our communities. For services that we do not have the capacity to meet we work with other Human Service and Community Organizations around the area to meet the needs of these patients. Currently, we provide services in the Housing, Food, and Transportation domains. We look forward to offering services in the Interpersonal Safety domain in 2023! To learn about how the YMCA can help you please contact Sheila Bauer, Community Outreach Director.
If you believe you are eligible for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program please call the number on the back of your Medicaid card to speak with your Care Manager.
| Housing Services | Food Services | Transportation Services | Interpersonal Safety |
| Housing Navigation, Support, and Sustaining Services | Linkages to community-based food resources (e.g., SNAP/WIC application support) | Linkages to existing transportation resources | Case management/advocacy for victims of violence |
| Housing quality and safety inspections and improvements | Nutrition and cooking education | Payment for transportation to support access to pilot services (e.g., bus passes, taxi vouchers, ride-sharing credits | Evidence-based parenting support programs |
| One-time payment for security deposit and first month’s rent | Fruit and vegetable prescriptions and healthy food boxes/meals | Evidence-based home visiting services | |
| Short-term post-hospitalization housing | Medically tailored meal delivery |
Community Hiking Trips
Our Community Outreach programs are designed to serve all ages with an emphasis on serving Avery County Seniors. As we age we tend to shy away from activities that we use to for fear of injuring ourselves. Our Community Outreach programs provide opportunities for seniors to regain their confidence and maintain their independence.
Community Hiking Trips gives everyone an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fellowship of good friends while being active. You’ll have a blast climbing up and down hills, over logs, and on occasion a picnic lunch. Volunteer Trail guides are available to assist in navigating the trails. Everyone who joins surprises themselves at how much they can do and are eager for the next hiking trip.
Registration is required.
Who: Anyone
When: The last Wednesday of each month, May – October 2023
Where: A different trail is selected each month
Cost: Offered at no cost to YMCA Members and Non-Members.
What do I need to bring? Comfortable and safe shoes, walking sticks or assistive devices if desired or needed, your own lunch, and water.
To find out how you can get involved in the next hiking trip or with our Community Outreach Department email Sheila Bauer.
Avery Mentoring Program
A partnership of Western Youth Network and The Williams YMCA of Avery County
What is a mentor?
A compassionate adult role model and advocate who helps a youth in need or caring guidance grow up to be their best.
What would a mentor do?
A mentor commits to spending about two hours per week for one year with a specially-matched mentee. Go fishing together, take a walk, make a meal, or do whatever everyday fun things you both enjoy doing, and just listen to each other.
Why do it?
Someone need you. PLUS, it works! Young people involved in mentoring programs improve academic performance, school attendance, and behavior. Most of all, they know someone cares about them being the best they can be! Also, mentors and mentees receive a complimentary Y membership, so you can be healthy together!
Community Support
We collaborate with other local agencies and organizations to provide a wide array of support to those who need us the most. It is through these partnerships that our Community Outreach programs are able to serve the residents of Avery County.
