Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs welcomes children in DCF foster care!
Access Card Offer Details
The Alliance of YMCAs creates access and opportunity for foster youth by providing free one-year access for every foster youth eighteen and under in DCF care.
About the YMCAs
The Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs serves 1.3 million people across the Commonwealth. With over 700 service locations, there are 530,000 children and teens being served, 284,000 attending early learning and after-school programs, and over 21,000 employed youth to provide a wide range of activities to nurture their potential and ensure their success.
How to Register DCF Foster Youth
Foster parents must accompany their foster children to their local YMCA. Present the Wonderfund Access Card and a valid ID at the welcome desk to register foster youth eighteen and under for one-year free access. The registration process must be repeated each year.
What you need to know.
- Find your local YMCA HERE.
- DCF pre-adoptive and kinship foster youth are eligible.
- Currently, foster family biological children are not eligible for this offer.
- At this time, congregate care facilities are not eligible for this offer.
Learn more about the Alliance of YMCAs HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost associated with this access offer?
There is no cost associated with the one-year access.
Each YMCA offers a menu of activities and programs. Some activities are free, and other activities and programs may have a fee associated. You can request a schedule of activities and costs at your chosen YMCA location.
Is financial aid available for extra activities offered at the YMCA?
The YMCA staff can help with any questions you may have about signing up for activities and programs. We encourage you to ask the YMCA staff about the possible cost associated with an activity and any financial assistance available. Financial aid and assistance may be available through the YMCA upon request.
The Wonderfund may also be a resource for financial assistance. Contact your DCF family resource worker to apply for funding assistance through the Wonderfund.
Can my biological children receive free access to the YMCA as well?
This offer is currently for DCF foster children ages eighteen and under. Please speak to the YMCA staff about family memberships.
Does my child need to be supervised while at the YMCA?
Every YMCA has its own rules and regulations. Please consult with your specific YMCA to understand the rules and expectations.