YMCA and PiggyBack Team Up to Get More Kids to Day Camp
CHICAGO, May 31, 2023 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago today announced a partnership with PiggyBack Network, a rideshare platform built on a closed-group community of parents to create a modern day carpooling service. The YMCA supports families in the City of Chicago having access to the PiggyBack Network and recognizes the dual quests of eliminating transportation barriers blocking active families and unlocking the potential of future leaders.
“The Y is excited to partner with PiggyBack Network, because it means more Chicago youth will have the opportunity to be part of the life-shaping experience that is YMCA Day Camp,” said Dorri McWhorter, President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “Unavailability of convenient, affordable transportation options is often a significant barrier for our Day Camp families. PiggyBack and the Y want to empower all prospective day campers to discover their favorite ways to play all summer long by reducing that barrier — eventually to zero.”
PiggyBack understands that each household faces a unique situation when it comes to driving their children to enrichment programs and opportunities. Participation in the network creates a custom solution by connecting busy families across a given geographic area in order to get their youth from Point A to Point B safely, affordably, and on demand.
“At the heart of PiggyBack are parents and caregivers helping each other on the go,” said Ismael “Ish” El-Amin, Co-Founder & CEO, Piggyback Network. “PiggyBack carpooling is not only convenient, it also has environmental, financial, and time-saving benefits and ultimately results in a closer connected parent community where fluidity of household styles is celebrated and everyone is included in the solution.”
In its current phase, families of youth attending Day Camp at the Irving Park YMCA and Lake View YMCA can participate in the PiggyBack Network. The partnership expects to expand to include more YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago sites in the future. Additional details can be found online at ymcachicago.org/daycamp.
About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is the leader in accessible, inclusive programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year, strengthening community by connecting people to their purpose, potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise for the region, through an association of 14 centers, 5 overnight camps, and 100 extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more about the Y's locations and our programming at ymcachicago.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Katy Broom
Director, Public Relations & Communications
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
312-932-1171
[email protected]