The Armed Services YMCA provides innovative, interactive programs and services designed especially for junior-enlisted service members, their spouses and their children—all who sacrifice so much for us and our country.
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, increased child care needs and financial burdens. Programs are offered at no or low cost and require no membership fees.
We work closely with the Department of Defense and installation commands to identify opportunities and augment service areas to help young military families come together, stay together and thrive together.
Armed Services YMCA offers accessible, quality and affordable programs to care for young children and help prepare them for future success.
Find Your Local BranchOperation Little Learners is an interactive education program that offers new parents and their children ages 2-5 and opportunity to learn and grow together.
Learn MoreOperation 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.
Learn MoreChildren's Waiting Room is a child care program located inside military hospitals that allows parents to attend medical or mental health appointments without the stress of finding child care outside of the hospital. The program enables military families to make health and well-being a priority.
Many of the 12 ASYMCA branches provide assistance with food items in times of emergencies, such as the pandemic, natural disasters or financial burdens. In addition, the branches at Fort Bragg and Fort Campbell operate food pantries to military families who are in need of food assistance.
Neighborhood Exchanges meet the immediate food relief needs of military families while connecting them with local resources such as financial education, career opportunities and other services. The ASYMCA operates Neighborhood Exchanges at Fort Bragg and Fort Campbell and plans to expand the model nationwide.
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.
Learn MoreNationally sponsored by Jack Daniels, Operation Ride Home provides financial assistance to active duty junior enlisted military and their families to travel home for the holidays. Since its inception in 2011, more than 5,000 military members and their families have benefited from this initiative.
Learn MoreNationally sponsored by GEICO Military, the annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest, provides an outlet for children to express their love, appreciation and admiration for their military heroes and share their military family stories.
Learn MoreApril is the Month of the Military Child—a time to honor the sacrifices made by dependent children of military members serving at home and overseas—with a dedicated "PurpleUp! For Military Kids" day on April 15th.
National Military Appreciation Month is celebrated every May and honors active and veteran service members, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom.
National Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a presidentially approved holiday, celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day each May, to honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses.
Established in 1996 by the Armed Services YMCA and commemorated every November, the nation celebrates Military Family Month to demonstrate our support and commitment to the families of military personnel.
Our annual awards program honors the heroes of our heroes—military medical personnel—and is the only event dedicated to recognizing our lifesavers. Five Angels, representing each of the five branches of the Armed Services, are awarded for their selfless courage and commitment to saving lives. This one-of-a-kind event culminates with the presentation of the Angel of Honor, the highest award presented to an individual or organization demonstrating distinguished and extraordinary advancement of the Armed Services YMCA mission.
Each of the 12 Armed Services YMCA branches, more than 200 program affiliates and 2 DoD affiliates nationwide are dedicated to the health and wellness of military families, youth development and social responsibility for the installations and communities they serve.
Here are examples of local programs and services:
Children’s Playgroups
After School Programs
Military Family Outreach
Thrift Stores
Family Bonding Events
Find your local branch to learn more about their offerings.