“No child chooses to go into foster care,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO, 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 currently has 13 branches throughout King County, with a new one opening in Kent this fall.

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 after foster care, 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.”

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

The above is a press release from the King County YMCA. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents.