Dear Armed Services YMCA Supporter,
Since 1861, the Armed Services YMCA has been dedicated to the health and well-being of service members and their families, providing aid and assistance in every major conflict since the Civil War. While we are extremely proud of our past efforts, we now look to the future to ensure we continue to provide military families with relevant programs and services.
Over the past months, we have engaged currently serving enlisted personnel and military spouses throughout the country in focus groups to hear first-hand the unique challenges and struggles military families face today. Lack of childcare options, spouse support and bonding time, isolation and loneliness, were the common themes seen throughout the focus groups.
It is those themes that provide the roadmap for our future. Over the coming year, we will be reviewing, revitalizing, and adding new programming to meet these identified needs. While we are not sure what the final outcomes will look like at this time – one thing is certain, the Armed Services YMCA will be a critical resource for military families throughout the country.
In November the Armed Services YMCA celebrated 160 years serving military members and their families. Thank you for supporting military families now and into the future.
Sincerely,
William D. French, Vice Admiral, USN, Ret.
President and CEO, Armed Services YMCA
