Personalized Support
YMCA Community Navigators help individuals set and meet their life goals to improve everyday living conditions. Life goals can include a child’s academics, financial well-being, housing stability and basic needs. We support families and individuals in building stability at various levels of need.
The YMCA Community Navigation Program helps address the social determinants of health, the everyday factors that influence overall well-being, such as access to safe housing, nutritious food, employment, transportation, healthcare and social support.
Through a tiered approach, the program supports individuals and families at varying levels of need, helping them build stability, overcome barriers to essential services and strengthen their sense of belonging. By leveraging trusted strategic partnerships, the YMCA connects people to critical community resources efficiently, compassionately and with dignity.
Community Navigation currently has a staff of five and are working out of the Alexander Family, Northwest Cary, Southeast Raleigh and Taylor Family YMCAs. Spanish-language support is available at the Northwest Cary and Taylor Family YMCAs.
Tiered Support Services
The YMCA Community Navigation Program connects individuals and families with resources and support based on their unique needs, helping them address immediate challenges, build stability and work toward long-term goals.
For individuals and families who need help finding information, resources or community services to address a specific need.
Support may include:
- Connecting individuals and families to community resources
- Referrals to food, housing, financial, health, education and other community services
- Help identifying resources that fit their needs
Level of support: Short-term resource connection and referral
Typical duration: One-time assistance up to one month
For individuals or families who are stable but need guidance and accountability to achieve personal, financial or family goals.
Support may include:
- Goal setting and action planning toward financial, health, housing and familt goals
- Connections to community resources
- Support navigating systems and services as barriers arise
- Follow-up and individualized coaching
Level of support: Ongoing guidance, coaching and resource navigation
Typical duration: 5-8 months
For individuals or families experiencing a crisis who need immediate stabilization and intensive support while working toward long-term solutions.
Support may include:
- Crisis response and stabilization planning
- Identifying immediate safety concerns and essential needs
- Goal setting and action planning
- Coordination with multiple community providers and services
- Support navigating complex systems and barriers
Level of support: Intensive, individualized support, focused first on safety and stabilization, followed by ongoing navigation toward longer-term goals.
Typical duration: 6-12 months
2025 Reach
Tier 1: 420 clients served and 1,820 services delivered
Tiers 2 & 3: 146 families served, 456 individuals impacted and 985 services delivered
Supporting Families
The Y supported more than 900 individuals and families in 2025 through the Community Navigation program and local partnerships, delivering a total of 2,805 services.
Diapers
Food Boxes
Pieces of Furniture
Computers
Household Items
Finding Safety & Support: Maria
Maria* survived domestic violence and turned to the YMCA for support. A Community Navigator quickly connected her with safe housing resources through InterAct and the Mexican Consulate while also providing a free Y membership, youth programs, therapy services and community connections for the family.
Along the way, the family received food, clothing, toys and books, and Maria ultimately secured a safe apartment with more than $5,000 in rental assistance. Today, the family has the stability and security needed to move forward with confidence.
Support for a New Chapter: Claudia
Claudia* first connected with the YMCA when challenges with transportation and navigating unfamiliar systems affected her daughter's participation in Y Excel programs. Through the Community Navigation Program, YMCA staff helped connect her to affordable refugee services, provided a computer to manage school communications and important documents, and covered the cost of driving school.
After earning her driver's license, Claudia was referred to Wheels 4 Hope and received a vehicle that will expand access to work and other opportunities. As she works toward long-term stability and citizenship, the YMCA continues to provide support and connections that help her family move forward.
* To protect privacy, names have been changed and stock images were used. The stories shared reflect real experiences and impact, but the individuals pictured are not actual program participants.