Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership gives military families access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs
Naples, FL, October 2, 2008) – As part of the new Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Outreach Initiative, the YMCA of the Palms will provide military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs at community YMCAs nationwide. Membership fees will be underwritten by the DoD and administered through Military OneSource, an information and referral service for military families. YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for America’s 2,686 YMCAs, will help launch the initiative at participating YMCAs across the country.
“The YMCA of the Palms is happy to help meet the critical needs facing families of deployed military service members,” said Larry Lev, President & CEO, YMCA of the Palms. “Families are the most affected when a loved one gets deployed, so we are deeply committed to providing them with the support they need.”
The ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative responds to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to support military family readiness and to ensure that military family readiness programs and activities are available to all military families, including those of the National Guard and Military Reservists.
Eligible military families participating in the initiative are eligible for YMCA memberships based on participation requirements. Those eligible to participate in the new initiative include:
- All interested families of joint deployed National Guard and Reserves of all military branches;
- Families living in newly established Joint Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) bases;
- Active Duty Independent Duty station personnel and their families; and
- Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel.
“The YMCA has a long history of supporting military service members and their families – since the Civil War – so it was natural for us to join this initiative,” said Lev. “During this time of conflict, it is more important than ever that we continue providing services and support to these families in the absence of a deployed spouse.”
More information about the ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative can be found by visiting www.asymca.org. For information about participating YMCAs, please visit www.ymcapalms.org
The YMCA of the Palms offers quality, affordable programs and services to benefit all people. Ever-changing to serve community needs, the YMCA provides a values-based environment and quality programs for children, teens, adults, seniors, and families. The YMCA of the Palms is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities and our goal is that no one is ever turned away for an inability to pay.
Original article found at ymcapalms.org
 Add as favourites (192) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 779
Only registered members can write comments.
Please login or register.
|
Be first to comment this article
70°F
