February 2, 2023

  Choosing to join the military is a heavy decision to make. Whether you choose to serve due to devotion to your country or you are led to make that decision as a result of unforeseen circumstances, it can be overwhelming. Also, with seven branches to choose from, you might…...

January 30, 2023

  The new year is a perfect time to start fresh. You likely conjure images of workouts and leafy green vegetables when you think of New Year’s resolutions, but this is also an ideal time to reevaluate your career path. With 24% of military spouses experiencing unemployment, nearly 6 times…...

January 23, 2023

  As a parent, I am always looking for fun and engaging learning opportunities for my three children. So, I was very excited when I saw a flyer in our neighborhood advertising free parent participation classes through the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA). I began counting down the days until my…...

January 12, 2023

  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our military families rely on the support of donors like you to help provide a sense of connection, resources, and a helping hand. Whether facing a deployment, extended training, relocation, or financial hardship, the military lifestyle places unique and repeated strains on our…...

January 9, 2023

  Military spouse unemployment is a prevalent issue that can negatively impact the home life and mission readiness of service members. The current military spouse unemployment rate is 24%, 6x the rate of civilians. This is due in part to problems with child care such as high military daycare costs…...

January 4, 2023

  It’s that time of year again when everyone seems to be making plans and setting goals on how they want to improve in the coming year. Military spouses are no exception to this annual mass self-improvement craze, but we often struggle to keep up with goals due to the…...

December 28, 2022

The holiday season is known for bringing both joy and stress. As a long-time military family, we know that the holidays affect families of active-duty service members differently. Military life brings unique challenges, which include not always being able to choose how or where we can celebrate the holidays. Financial…...

December 12, 2022

  Though I come from a background of family members who serve, I can’t say that I ever had the thought or desire to follow in their footsteps. When I was a junior in high school, I felt lost in what I wanted out of life, let alone professionally. My…...

November 28, 2022

  For military families, the holidays can be a difficult time, especially when separated due to deployment. This holiday season, take time to appreciate and honor our service members and their families by giving back. Your donation to the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), a non-profit association of the YMCA and…...

November 22, 2022

  Deployment during the holidays can be really difficult for any military family, but especially if you have kids. Children often struggle to feel the holiday spirit when a parent or loved one is away. Here are 3 simple ways to help kids feel more connected with your service member…...