National Headquarters
Our core programmatic focus is on the resiliency of military families. Military life presents unique challenges for the family unit and each individual member. That’s why we provide experiences to help navigate military life amidst transfers, deployments, changing child care centers and schools, and financial hardships. We are proud to offer no- or low-cost programs and services that meet the needs of active duty military families, especially junior enlisted ranks.
We work closely with the Department of Defense and installation commands to identify opportunities and augment service areas to help junior enlisted military families come together, stay together and thrive together.
Child Care & Preschool
Armed Services YMCA offers high-quality, affordable and accessible programs to care for young children and help prepare them for future success.
Operation Little Learners
Operation Little Learners is an interactive early childhood education program for parents and their children to enhance bonds and encourage child development.
Operation Hero
Operation Hero is a no-cost after-school program designed to help military kids who may be struggling with change get back on track at home and in school.
Operation Camp
Operation Camp encourages healthy living and provides activities and social bonding opportunities for military children allowing them to learn skills, develop character, and make friends.
Children's Waiting Room
This unique, free program provides childcare services inside military hospitals and clinics, as well as in strategic service areas, thus enabling parents to keep scheduled appointments without the stress of finding childcare.
Operation Kid Comfort
Volunteers create custom photo transfer quilts and pillows to help children cope with the separation of a parent’s deployment.
The annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest gives military children a voice. It also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices military children, service members, and their families make for our country
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Food Assistance
Our local ASYMCA branches provide support for food and basic necessities for military families to combat food insecurity and help reduce financial stress, enabling them to focus on mission readiness.
Operation Ride Home
Operation Ride Home provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military and their families to travel home for the holidays.
Operation Holiday Joy
Operation Holiday Joy provides meals for junior enlisted service members and their families, and toys for military children during the holidays.
In partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National YMCA organization, qualified military members and their families receive free gym memberships and respite child care services and other available programs at Ys across the country.
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Each of the 12 Armed Services YMCA branches, more than 200 program affiliates, and 2 DoD affiliates nationwide are dedicated to providing support & assistance programs, tailored to the needs of the installations and communities they serve.
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Written by Elizabeth Duenas
Living far from family can be challenging all year round, and not being able to afford to return home for the holidays can weigh heavily on military families. Missing out on traditions, laughter, familiar comforts, and spending time with family can feel devastating. When you’re a military community member, you know the feeling well. Service […]
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Written by Armed Services YMCA
A Parks & Recreation Month Story from Military Families Outdoors For military spouse Josh Havard, spending time outside has always been more than just fresh air—it’s been a lifeline. As his family settled into their next chapter of service, a first time in Hawaiʻi, an opportunity to explore the Big Island on a trip […]
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