Cook County YMCA offering free membership to furloughed and unpaid federal workers

In a Nov. 4 press release, the Duluth Area Family YMCA, which includes the Cook County YMCA, and the Superior Douglas County Family YMCA announced a plan to provide free memberships to federal workers impacted by the government shutdown and their families during the month of November.

“The Duluth and Superior YMCAs know that the government shutdown is affecting members of our community, and want to ensure that the Y is stepping up as a partner to federal workers and their families during this stressful time,” the press release read.

For those who are already YMCA members, the press release said furloughed federal employees can bring documentation of their furlough, or a paystub showing $0 to their local YMCA branch to have their November membership fees waived.

Furloughed federal employees who are not current Y members can sign up for a family membership for free for November by bringing furlough or non-payment documentation to their local YMCA.

Cook County Community YMCA Executive Director Alex Gugala told WTIP that the move is in line with the organization’s mission. Gugala said, “The Y is a community centered organization. So it just makes sense to help out in any way we can.”

Kirsten Wisniewski November 6, 2025