Armed Services YMCA

09/01/2026

Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is ask for help.

Military spouse Joy bravely shares her journey of facing anxiety, choosing healing, leaning into her military community, and learning that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary.

If you are a military spouse or anyone who feels like you’re carrying too much, this one is for you.

There is support. There is hope. And the Armed Services YMCA is proud to stand with you through every step of your military journey.

Read Joy’s full story: asymca.org/blog/finding-support-as-a-military-spouse

08/18/2026

The annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest gives military children an opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives, and creativity through art and writing.

This year’s theme, “Growing Up in the Land of the Free,” invited military kids to reflect on what freedom meant to them and what it was like growing up in a military family. 🇺🇸

Their words and artwork reminded us of the sacrifices made by military children, service members, and their families every day.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners!

Art Category
Ages 6-7: Tiffany Budzynski, United States Army
Ages 8-9: Azellathea Lopez, United States Army
Ages 10-12: Ryatt Keith, United States Army
Ages 13-14: Jane Kerfoot, United States Army
Ages 15-16: Lucy Walker, United States Army
Ages 17-19: Megan Bell, United States Army

Essay Category
Ages 6-7: Mackenzie Worthington, United States Navy
Ages 8-9: Savannah Adams, United States Marine Corps
Ages 10-12: Macey Goenett, United States Air Force/li>
Ages 13-14: Allie Budzynski, United States Army
Ages 15-16: Austin Brown, United States Army
Ages 17-18: Solange Reed, United States Army

Take a moment to explore the 2026 submissions and winners and celebrate the voices of our military kids. ❤️ 🇺🇸

https://asymca.org/what-we-do/art-essay-contest/

08/14/2026

Service looks different in every community. 🫡

In Hawaiʻi, our Armed Services YMCA team extends its local support to veterans, serving the veteran community each month at the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic.

It’s one example of how our local branches respond to the unique needs of the military communities they call home. 🇺🇸

We’re proud to spotlight the work of Armed Services YMCA Hawai'i and the impact they continue to make across the islands.

08/09/2026

💜 Starting a new school after a PCS move can be exciting — and a little overwhelming — for military kids.

Military spouse Julianna shares five practical tools that help children build confidence, make new friends, and feel more at home in their new school. From student ambassador programs to military family resources, these tips can make every transition a little easier.

Read the full blog and discover ways to support your military child through their next new beginning.

https://asymca.org/blog/5-tools-for-military-kids-starting-at-new-schools/

Discover the five essential tools and military family resources that help military children thrive at a new school after a PCS move.

08/06/2026

When school is out for summer, military families face unique challenges.

Military spouse and mom Kalyn shares how her experience as a former first-grade teacher opened her eyes to the hidden reality of summer food insecurity. While her own children aren't school-aged, she remembers the students who relied on school meals and the concern she felt for them when summer break began.

The Armed Services YMCA is here to help — with critical support through food assistance programs and community resources.

No military family has to face this alone.

Read her story: https://asymca.org/blog/summer-without-school-meals-a-military-moms-story/

A military mom and former teacher shares how summer food insecurity affects military families and how the Armed Services YMCA helps.

07/28/2026

There’s so much that happens behind the scenes to make every Armed Services YMCA event and program possible.

Military spouse Joy shares her experience as an Armed Services YMCA volunteer and the honor it is to be part of a team dedicated to serving our military families and veterans.

⭐Compassion, teamwork, and community have a direct impact. ⭐

Join us as a volunteer today!

https://asymca.org/blog/serving-behind-the-scenes-an-armed-services-ymca-team-story/

Discover how Armed Services YMCA staff and volunteers work behind the scenes to support military families with compassion and purpose.

07/21/2026

Military life comes with challenges that many never see — deployments, frequent moves, and starting over in unfamiliar places.

Through her journey as a military spouse, Grace shares the one thing that made all the difference: community support. 🩵

Having the support of fellow military spouses helped her navigate this new life, and it's why organizations like the Armed Services YMCA are so important.

Every military family deserves to know they're not alone — and with the Mission Military Families campaign, the Armed Services YMCA is expanding vital support nationwide.

Read more: https://asymca.org/blog/what-if-every-military-family-had-support/

Every military family deserves support — and with the Mission Military Families campaign, the Armed Services YMCA is expanding that support.

07/18/2026

Preparing for baby number two feels very different than preparing for baby number one. 💙

Military spouse writer Poli shares the joys, worries, and realities of navigating military pregnancy while raising a toddler and preparing for a growing family overseas.

From learning to let go of perfection to finding support in unexpected places, her story is a reminder that motherhood isn’t about having all the answers. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself grace along the way.

🤍 Read her story: https://asymca.org/blog/preparing-for-baby-number-two-as-a-military-mom/

07/10/2026

We are hiring at Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton 🎉

Join our team and make a meaningful impact supporting military families. We are currently recruiting for the following roles:

🌟 Part-Time Opportunities:
Childcare Teacher
Recreation Center Attendant

If you are passionate about community, service, and supporting those who serve, we would love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply here: https://asymca.applytojob.com/apply

07/08/2026

Military kids face unique challenges — from deployed parents to PCS moves and everything in between.

Military spouse Julianna shares how Operation Camp through the Armed Services YMCA helps military children develop confidence, resilience, friendships, and leadership skills while connecting with other kids who understand military life.

Sometimes the most important thing a child gains isn't just a fun summer experience — it's the belief that they belong and can thrive wherever military life takes them.
What has helped your military child build confidence?

Read more here: 🔗 https://asymca.org/blog/from-camper-to-leader-the-impact-of-operation-camp/

Children look forward to the freedom, adventure, and new experiences that summer brings. But for military children, summer can present new challenges. Military life continues even after school is out. A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move across the country, navigating a parent’s deployment, or...