As the newly hired director of community engagement for YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Thomas' job is to guide and extend the organization’s academic outreach, especially as it relates to low- and moderate-income children and families. (Photo: Glenn H. Burkins for Qcitymetro.com)
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When some people think of the YMCA, they initially think of exercise equipment, a swimming pool or maybe even a basketball court.

Glenn Thomas wants to expand that thinking.

As the newly hired director of community engagement for YMCA of Greater Charlotte, his job is to guide and extend the organization’s academic outreach, especially as it relates to low- and moderate-income families and children.

Each year the local YMCA works with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to close the achievement gap through programs such as Y Readers (afterschool and summer), Y Achievers, Getting Ahead, and Parents as Teachers. Thomas, who started his job in late 2012, said the various programs touch thousands of Charlotte-area children each year.

“The Y has always been involved in education,” he said during a recent interview with Qcitymetro.com. “Though I think we now are associated with the best gym and swim in town, we still continue to do that work in education, healthy living and social responsibility. Those are our focus areas.”

Before joining the YMCA, Thomas was associate director of strategic planning for the national office of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. He is a graduate of North Carolina Central University.

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