YMCA Military Outreach Initiative
Armed Services YMCA

The Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense Outreach Initiative offers YMCA memberships to eligible military families and personnel who may not have access to a nearby military facility. Eligible military families and personnel include:

* Family members of deployed National Guard and Reservists
* Active Duty Independent Duty personnel and their families as approved by their Military Service Headquarters
* Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel

Note: Eligibility is for Title 10 personnel only.

I have really enjoyed the YMCA. I really could not afford the membership, but once I found out the military would allow me to be a member, I immediately joined. I go to the YMCA anywhere from 2 to 4  hours a day. I am using their gym and also taking several classes. I feel that even though I am not losing a lot of weight, I now have muscle that I didn't think I could have and I also have a lot more endurance. I am able to chase my 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter around without being out of breath immediately. I will admit that before going to the YMCA I was becoming lazy. Having my husband gone and having such small children to take care of without him had me a bit depressed at first. My weight didn't help matters. I started with a personal trainer so that I could know what to do. I can't imagine going a day without exercise now. I also was able to get my son into a tumbling class. He never really got a chance to spend time with children his own age and this has really helped him learn how to share and is a great outlet for his pent up energy. My time at the YMCA has really helped with my stress levels and also makes the days go by a little faster while my husband is gone. I would like to thank the military very much for allowing my family to have this opportunity to improve ourselves. When my husband informed me that he would be coming home soon, one of the first things I did was to check if there was a YMCA near our next base. Thankfully there is. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity and I hope the military and the YMCA can continue working together for military families.

                                        Sincerely,
                                            Ann

Respite Child Care
In addition, the Outreach Initiative offers respite child care services for children whose parent or guardian needs temporary respite from their role as primary caregiver in the absence of a deployed spouse. Click here to find out more.
Getting Started

To receive membership benefits from the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative, eligible military families and personnel should follow these steps:

1. Contact Military OneSource at www.militaryonesource.com or 800-342-9647 to confirm eligibility and receive an eligibility form.
2. Find a participating YMCA in your area using the search tool below.
3. Fill out and bring your eligibility form, Military ID and any other required documentation (generally your Deployment Orders or Military Service Headquarters approval letter) to a participating YMCA for verification (please do not leave copies of these documents at the YMCA).

Guidelines
The Department of Defense will underwrite memberships at participating YMCAs for an initial six-month period for each eligible family and service member. Membership renewals in subsequent six-month intervals (up to 12 or 18 months depending on eligibility) will be funded based on a military family’s or service member’s ability to meet the participation requirement of eight visits to a YMCA each month.

Find a YMCA Military Outreach Initiative location near you:
U.S. Zip:

 

Note: The list of locations updates daily as new YMCAs register to participate in the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative. Please check back to find the location nearest you. Or, call your local YMCA directly and ask to speak with the Membership Director who can provide information about the initiative.

About the YMCA Outreach Initiative
YMCA of the USA, the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense have launched the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative to address the needs of families of deployed military personnel who live far from a military installation and require access to child development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programming.

The YMCA Military Outreach Initiative leverages the YMCA movement’s national scale and mission to engage families facing the hardship and uncertainty of military deployment. The nation’s 2,686 YMCAs have the unique capacity to respond to the needs of this widely dispersed population through supportive, community-based programs that foster a healthy spirit, mind and body.