Seniors – YMCA of Snohomish County

EVERETT, WA. — Older adults often find they have more time to travel and participate in community activities. Public transit offers seniors an easy and inexpensive way get to the airport to catch a flight, visit their doctor, or spend an afternoon exploring downtown Seattle. The YMCA of Snohomish County and Community Transit help seniors confidently navigate public transportation, restoring independence and fostering community connection. Through hands-on instruction and real-world experience, this initiative equips older adults with essential transit skills, ensuring mobility, access, and autonomy.

“When you’re doing hands-on, it’s way better than just hearing somebody talk about it, and then you feel better about trying it,” said Debbie McPherson, a YMCA member who attended the transit training workshop. McPherson is planning to take transit to the University of Washington this weekend with friends. “Now, if they haven’t experienced it, I’m the leader.”

The program, tailored for YMCA members, begins with an instructional session at YMCA branches, where seniors learn how to plan trips, read bus schedules, and use transit tools like ORCA fare cards. Following the presentation, participants board a special Community Transit bus for a guided ride to the Lynnwood City Center light rail station, where they practice key transit skills—requesting mobility ramps, using ADA seating, and navigating payment systems.

“This program isn’t just about transit—it’s about freedom,” said Jennifer McCoy, Senior Field Marketing Specialist at Community Transit. “Many older adults worry they’ll have to give up their favorite activities when they stop driving. We’re showing them that public transit can keep them connected to their community, their friends, and the things they love.”

Participants receive a free ORCA card with unlimited rides for one month, making future rides even more accessible. Adults 65 and over ride for the reduced fare of $1.00 on Community Transit buses and Zip Shuttle.

For many participants, this program is their first encounter with public transportation. By providing a safe, structured introduction to transit, seniors gain the confidence to explore their communities independently. The program has been met with resounding success. Nearly 200 seniors have participated in the program with more sessions scheduled this spring.

The program grew from a shared mission—ensuring that seniors remain connected, active, and independent.

“As we age, access to transportation is critical,” said Andi Skorheim, Director of Senior Memberships & Corporate Partnerships at YMCA of Snohomish County. “By eliminating uncertainty around transit, we’re empowering seniors to maintain their lifestyles and stay engaged with the community.”

Beyond practical skills, the program highlights transit safety and accessibility, with Community Transit representatives addressing common concerns on buses and at transit centers. “Once we take seniors out and show them the process, they realize it’s not as hard as they thought—it’s actually easy,” said McCoy.

For more information about YMCA membership, please visit ymca-snoco.org/membership or call (425) 374-5779. The Community Transit workshops are free for YMCA members. For transit tips for older adults, visit Community Transit’s website at communitytransit.org/older-adult or email [email protected].

The United States is facing a social isolation epidemic. At a national YMCA leadership conference in July 2023, U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, MD, shared how detrimental loneliness and isolation can be and how organizations like the YMCA can provide a sense of belonging and opportunities for social interaction.

“The mortality impact of social disconnection is on par with smoking daily and an even greater mortality risk than obesity.” said Murthy. “As the steward of an office that has spent decades addressing smoking and obesity, we must acknowledge that loneliness is just as important of a public health threat and one that we have to treat with the same urgency.”

The consequences of loneliness are profound. People experiencing loneliness or isolation have an increased risk for depression, anxiety and suicide. It also increases the risk of physical illness including cardiovascular disease, dementia and premature death.

How do we combat the problem? Develop and invest in programs, policies and structures like the YMCA that bring people together to build healthy relationships.

“The Y has always been an extraordinary source of value to communities for years and years,” said Murthy. “This is a moment in time when we need Ys more than ever to build those connections between people.”

At the Y, connections and friendships are built every day. It’s at the heart of everything the Y does in the community. Stanwood-Camano YMCA member, Nancy Lewis, shares how the friends she made in her water fitness class have expanded her social circle and given her a new sense of purpose.

“My friend and I would go to the Y together and attend water fitness classes and we always noticed a group in the center who was laughing and having a great time. I told my friend that they looked like fun people that we should get to know,” said Lewis. “One day, I overheard them talk about the dice game, BUNCO, and I let them know I play. They were totally welcoming and asked me and my friend to join their group and from that day on we’ve been friends.”

Nancy’s friend group, the self-proclaimed Mermaids and Mermen, has stretched beyond the walls of the Y. They have gone whale watching, participated in Y community activities, played games, and go to lunch every Friday after their water fitness class. They also serve as a support system for one another.

“Because all of us are a bit older, when someone isn’t feeling well we check in to see if they need groceries or medicine or a ride to the doctor,” said Lewis. “If someone is missing, we check in to see if they are okay. We’re just a group of really close friends that watch out for one another.”

Lewis encourages anyone who needs a friend to visit the Y because you’ll never know what might happen if you reach out and are open to meeting people.

“There are so many classes and activities to come to,” said Lewis. “If you just take that first step and are open to people, you’ll find your group. I accidentally overheard a conversation and because of that found a whole new group of people that have become lifelong friends.”

Category: Seniors

YMCA of Snohomish County and Community Transit Collaborate to Help Seniors Maintain Their Independence

YMCA of Snohomish County Combats Social Isolation Epidemic

YMCA of Snohomish County

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