THE YMCA OF GREATER DAYTON CONTINUES SUPPORT OF ELIGIBLE MILITARY FAMILIES

Dayton – 06/03/13 – In 2008, in an effort to expand access to health and well-being resources to military families, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and the Department of Defense teamed up with the nation’s YMCAs to provide eligible military families and active duty personnel with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs through memberships and respite child care services at community YMCAs nationwide. To date, the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative has seen more than 50,000 YMCA family and individual memberships.  The program has also served more than 100,000 military children.
 
In the Miami Valley, the YMCA of Greater Dayton is serving over 130 participants through this initiative.
 
The Military 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 deployed National Guard and Reserve families, and some active duty families in certain special categories. Those currently eligible to participate in the initiative include: All interested families of deployed National Guard and Reserves; Active Duty Independent Duty station personnel (single or family members); Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel; and Community Based Wounded Warrior Transition Unit personnel and their families.
 
For more information on the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative contact your local YMCA Membership Director or to find a participating YMCA, visit www.ymca.net. Eligibility forms for military personnel can be found at www.militaryonesource.com.

        
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers eleven locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org