National Headquarters
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the constant in a military family’s life when everything changes: on the home front and during deployment, when moving between bases and to new communities, and in times of conflict and peace. As an independent non-profit of the YMCA of the USA, we are dedicated to serving junior enlisted military members and their families from all six armed services.
95+
Installations Served
13
ASYMCA Branches
24
Affiliates
770K
Points of Service
For families like me and my husband, who had nobody wherever we moved to, this becomes our village, and this becomes the place we know we can rely on. Military Spouse, Camp Pendleton
In close coordination with installation commanders, ASYMCA Branches tailor our programs and services to address the unique challenges of military life. These vital offerings include child care and early learning, after-school and resiliency programs for school-age children, food security, travel and emergency assistance and more. ASYMCA also partners with military installations and local Ys to serve military families in communities nationwide.
21%
of military spouses are unemployed
(but want to work)
25.8%
of military families experience food insecurity
Only 1.8%
of military families are able to access SNAP benefits
54%
of military families report an unmet need for child care
41%
of military families experience a sense of isolation
30%
of military kids who experience parental deployment suffer from anxiety
Written by Jeanine Rickman
No one really knows what military life is like until they have lived it. Before I married my husband and entered into military life, I was older and had been a single mom of two girls. I thought I knew what I was getting into because of stories from friends and my grandfathers had […]
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Written by Alita Miller
Military life can be hard on the entire family unit. But it can be especially difficult for military teens who understand the complexities of moving and really feel the stress of constant changes in cities, schools, and social life. Military teens worry — a lot. While it’s already challenging for them to uproot their […]
Read MoreCHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT
Accessible, affordable, high-quality child care for ages 0-12 positively impacting child development and military spouse employment.
Operation Little Learners
An interactive early learning program that offers parents and their preschoolers an opportunity to connect, learn and grow.
Operation Hero
A no-cost after school enrichment program designed to help military kids navigate change, build social skills and grow academically.
Children’s Waiting Room
Child care services located inside military hospitals and clinics that allow parents to attend medical or mental health appointments.
Operation Camp
Day camps, overnight camps and family camps that nurture healthy living and social bonding while making memories that last.
Operation Kid Comfort
Custom, hand-made photo transfer quilts and pillows to help military children cope with the separation of a parent’s deployment.
Emergency FOOD & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Nutritious food, baby care, and household items, plus emergency assistance to help support military families during a crisis.
OPERATION RIDE HOME
Financial assistance for junior enlisted members and their families to travel home for the holidays and reconnect with loved ones.
OPERATION HOLIDAY JOY
Special moments that bring extra joy to military families during the holiday season from toy drives to sharing meals together.
It takes a village, and the Armed Services YMCA is my village. Service Member, U.S. Navy
Not all lessons have to be learned the hard way. Get advice on navigating the challenges of military life from the lived experiences of military spouses.
Written by Susannah Wruk
As I approach 5 years of being a military spouse, I find myself reflecting on the changes it has brought me over the years. I knew life as a military spouse meant frequent moves and uncertainty, but I didn’t know just how much it would change me as a person. I am a military wife, […]
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Written by Susannah Wruk
No one looks forward to deployment. Being away from your spouse for an extended period of time is always tough, but when you add in limited opportunities for communication, worrying about their safety, and all the other uncertainty that goes along with deployment, it can seem unbearable. Here are four ideas to help military […]
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