Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Free summer YMCA memberships draw 3,000 Chicago teens

suntimes.com · 1h · first reportShare

Hailey Weathers likes to spend her summers playing volleyball in the sand with her friends at Chicago’s beaches, taking breaks in between games with dips in Lake Michigan. But sometimes the 14-year-old feels like adults are scrutinizing everything she and her friends do, especially if they are in a big group. Hailey knows that’s because some large gatherings of teens have become disruptive. But being watched and unfairly judged like that makes her feel uncomfortable, she said. “Why do teens get blamed for stuff that we’re not doing?” Hailey said. That’s why this summer Hailey is also at the South Side YMCA three days a week. She’s in the gym, in the computer lab or chatting with friends. Hailey is one of thousands of teens who signed up to be a member this summer through the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Get Summer program, a partnership with the city offering free memberships to 12- to 18-year-olds. It's Hailey’s first time being a member. Hailey Weathers, who is starting ninth grade