CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor and YMCA President Announce Launch of Get Summer Program for Teens

Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago President & CEO Adam M. Alonso joined forces to announce the launch of the Get Summer Program. This critical new partnership aims to provide free memberships to Chicago teens ages 12 to 18 at seven YMCA locations across the city.

The program, which will run from June 8 through the end of August, seeks to expand access to safe and welcoming spaces for young people. These spaces will allow them to stay active, build community, and forge lasting connections while enjoying positive opportunities throughout the summer.

Mayor Johnson expressed his gratitude towards all partners involved in creating safe and engaging spaces for young people. He emphasized the importance of public and private partnerships, community organizations, civic leaders, and residents working together towards this common goal.

Participating teens will have free access to various facilities such as fitness centers, gymnasiums, basketball courts, swimming pools during designated open-swim hours, athletic turf fields, and other recreational spaces. This program has the potential to provide thousands of young Chicagoans with safe environments where they can stay active, build friendships, connect with mentors, and engage in positive activities throughout the summer.

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Adam M. Alonso shared that the YMCA has always believed in providing every young person with a place to grow and discover their potential regardless of their zip code or family income. He expressed his hope that through this program, teens will utilize the facilities offered by YMCA such as pools, gyms, and fields. He believes that these experiences will leave them feeling stronger, healthier and more connected to their communities.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment by both the City of Chicago and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago towards creating safe and engaging spaces for young people year-round.

In addition to this partnership between the city and YMCA, Mielle Cares also announced plans to launch a $250,000 Summer Opportunity Fund. This fund will focus on expanding safe and welcoming gathering opportunities for youth across the city, including the YMCA's Get Summer program. This follows a two-year, $2 million MiSpace Grant that the foundation made to help create and sustain dedicated third spaces for teens and preteens.

Shonta Connolly, Executive Director of Mielle Cares, stated that this effort is intentional and will move quickly to complement existing public investments. She believes that this partnership between philanthropy and government will demonstrate what is possible when working together for the benefit of Chicago's youth.

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Both Mayor Johnson and the YMCA expressed their gratitude towards Mielle Cares and recognized the foundation's active role in supporting Chicago youth and the city overall.

By removing financial barriers and expanding access to recreation, fitness, and community-based activities, these partnerships aim to connect teens to positive experiences. These experiences foster a sense of belonging, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen connections to their communities.

The program also builds on broader efforts across Chicago to ensure young people have safe places to gather, learn, and grow during the summer months. The participating YMCA locations serve communities across Chicago's North, West, and South Sides, ensuring broad access for young people throughout the city.

Teens interested in participating in the Get Summer Program must provide valid proof of age and Chicago residency at registration. Those who are 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult during registration. For more information about the program or to register, teens and parents are encouraged to visit their nearest YMCA location or visit ymcachicago.org/getsummer.

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