Kids on rope bridge at camp

Our Services

HELPING YOU NAVIGATE MILITARY LIFE

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 & Youth Programs

Teacher helps two young children with their reading skills

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.

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Mother and daughter working together to practive writing skills

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.

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a group of smiling school-age kids study together

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.

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smiling kids make a team hudle in the woods during summer camp

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.

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A child care provider helps a toddler learn to play with an interactive toy

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.

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close up of personalized quilt square for an army child

Operation Kid Comfort

Volunteers create custom photo transfer quilts and pillows to help children cope with the separation of a parent's deployment.

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National Art & Essay Contest

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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Close up of child hand painting

Assistance & Support Programs

A soldier and his daughter pack canned food into a brown bag at a food distribution event

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.

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family welcoming soldier home with hugs

Operation Ride Home

Operation Ride Home provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military and their families to travel home for the holidays.

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joyful Child receiving a christmas gift

Operation Holiday Joy

Operation Holiday Joy provides meals for junior enlisted service members and their families, and toys for military children during the holidays.

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DoD Military Outreach Initiative

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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Soldier it PT uniform laughs with fellow soldiers in Gym during Workout

LOCAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES

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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Our Programs in Action