YMCA expands foster care work with free memberships for kids

“No child chooses to go into foster care,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “But we can make foster care a better experience for our children who need us most.”

The Y is expanding its foster care services by offering King County kids in foster care free memberships at any of their locations. The Y has 13 branches throughout King County, with a new location opening in Kent this fall.

Shoreline has the Dale Turner YMCA 19290 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133

This announcement builds upon the Y’s long history of licensing and supporting foster care families.

For over 30 years the Y has offered foster parent training, behavioral health counseling, cultural competency training, and 24-hour crisis consultations.

The Y also combats homelessness, a problem that affects one in three young adults exiting foster care, by offering free case management and housing resources.

Parents who choose to foster through the Y receive free memberships, child care during workouts, access to Parents Night Out program, weight loss and disease prevention programs and so much more. The Y offers income based pricing so that no family is ever turned away.

“Two years ago we celebrated 30 years as a licensed child placing agency. We’ve learned a lot about the best ways to build our foster care community and provide support for foster families. Offering free memberships ensures all kids and families have the resources and opportunities for healthy, thriving lives,” explained Yeadon. 

“Further we are always looking for partners who can help us do even more.”

Dale Turner YMCA in Shoreline
Photo courtesy YMCA

Learn how you can support the Y's foster care program and details about a foster care membership online.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is the Northwest’s leading nonprofit organization strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1876, the Y reaches more than 253,000 people of all backgrounds, abilities and financial circumstances annually through 13 branches, two overnight camps and more than 200 program sites throughout King and south Snohomish counties. It nurtures more than 142,000 kids and teens to develop their gifts and give back to our community and engages thousands of volunteers who contribute hundreds of thousands of service hours each year.

About the Y’s Foster Care Program
The YMCA of Greater Seattle has been a licensed child placing agency for over 30 years, providing holistic support to youth in foster care and their foster families. The Y also provides services for youth aging out of foster care, helping them with the transition into adulthood through case management support to find housing, graduate from school, and secure employment. In 2018, 504 youth and young adults were served through the Y’s foster care program.