YWCA, Uber launch Drive to Thrive partnership

CHICAGO -- YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and Uber have announced a new partnership to create economic opportunities for women in the Chicagoland area.

The Drive to Thrive initiative seeks to recruit 5,000 Chicago women to drive on the Uber platform by the end of 2015 and support YWCA's efforts to empower women with the tools they need to thrive in a 21st century economy.

Over the next year, Uber and YWCA will host recruitment events across Chicago to educate women about how to become a driver on the Uber platform and connect them to the opportunity. More than two million rides take place on the Uber platform each month in Chicago and drivers are needed to meet that demand.

In order to improve access to reliable transportation options and reduce barriers to employment, Uber will also provide women enrolled in the YWCA's economic empowerment programs with a number of free rides to and from job interviews and other YWCA job services.

"YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is thrilled to continue its focus on moving into the 21st century through our partnership with Uber," said Dorri McWhorter, CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. "This partnership further helps us prepare women to maximize the opportunities created by the new economy and ensure they are not left on the sidelines. By partnering with Uber, we provide women options to overcome transportation barriers and increase economic security."

The partnership is a local step toward Uber's global commitment to create one million jobs for women on the platform by 2020.

"When more women have economic opportunities, Chicago is stronger," said Austin Geidt, Head of Global Expansion at Uber. "We are excited to work with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago - an organization that has made a powerful impact on the lives of so many women - and to share the possibilities of the Uber platform with their community."

Through Drive to Thrive, Uber will connect women within YWCA Metropolitan Chicago's network to the flexible and equitable earning opportunity that Uber offers driver-partners, where they can be their own boss and choose their own hours.

"Driving with Uber has allowed me to run my own small business," said Coarine Jones, a Chicago Uber driver-partner. "I love the flexibility of working when I want for as long as I want."

To learn more about the Drive to Thrive partnership, visit t.uber.com/drivetothrive or http://www.ywcachicago.org/drivetothrive