New YMCA REACH Center Opens at Winston Lake with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Winston Lake YMCA's storied history dates back to the 1920s. Recently, the community celebrated the upcoming transformation into the YMCA REACH Center, reopening next month. Originally named the Patterson Avenue YMCA, it opened in 1924, catering to the Black community during the Jim Crow era at Depot Street, a center for Black entrepreneurship. In 1985, the branch relocated to 901 Waterworks Road, adopting its current name. Last year, officials announced an extensive renovation to enhance wellness and programming space. The REACH Center will feature a 16,000 sq. ft. health clinic and spaces for job training and after-school programs. Executive director Kenneth Pettigrew emphasized partnerships with local organizations like Novant Health and Goodwill, aiming to support community development. The recent ribbon-cutting symbolized a hopeful future.