Hampton Roads Transit and YMCA partner to offer free memberships to teens

NORFOLK, Virginia —

A team effort between the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provided free passes to teens from both organizations on Saturday.

As always, with the end of the school year comes the search for ways to keep students busy during the summer months. Both the YMCA and HRT hope their partnership will keep teens occupied in a safe and accessible way.

Teresa DeLoatch stopped by the Blocker Family YMCA in Norfolk Saturday afternoon to register her granddaughter for both programs.

DeLoatch told 13News Now, “It's great, it just gives them an opportunity to do different things during the summer.”

The free YMCA teen membership lasts through August 31 and is valid at all South Hampton Roads locations. HRT's Student Freedom Pass is valid until a student graduates or turns 18. DeLoatch says she's glad her granddaughter has options.

“In addition to staying home or going to the nearest rec center, they have the opportunity to go to the YMCA and meet new people,” DeLoatch said. “We took the ferry from Portsmouth to Norfolk to spend time at Waterside, but this will be her first time on the bus and will also take the light rail.”

HRT's Amy Jordan says the Student Freedom Pass is a step toward freedom.

Jordan said: “It really helps them to be independent. This allows them to start learning about their community. They can find work. If they need to stay after school for a program, they can do that.

She added that if parents are nervous about letting their teen take public transportation alone: ​​“Ride with them!” It is a wonderful experience for both the parent and the teenager. Teenagers seem to have no problem navigating the public transportation system.

Phoebe Sullivan of the YMCA's teen program agrees: This partnership gives teens independence and security.

“We will support them and help them become leaders and build their confidence, while giving them hands-on experience of what it means to be a young adult,” Sullivan said.

They added that the collaboration with HRT further improves accessibility to the YMCA, explaining: “They can arrive here independently and come whenever they want without having to rely on transportation. »

If you missed Saturday's registration, applications for Student Freedom Pass and free teen memberships are available on the organizations' respective websites.