Armed Services YMCA -- San Diego Branch

Serving 72,000 people annually, providing free social services, emergency food, respite care and 30 other programs and services to enhance the quality of life of military personnel and their families.

Why do we exist?

The San Diego Armed Services YMCA aims to meet the social, emotional, recreational, and educational support needs of local military personnel and their families with an emphasis on the junior-enlister (E6 and below) community.

Although civilian life is fraught with challenges, the added pressures that come with being part of a military family can be overwhelming and everyday obstacles can turn into crises.  Department of Defense demographics show that 47.7% of active duty personnel are less than 25 years of age.  In addition, the DOD reports that in 2004, 49.8% of enlisted military members are married, and of those with children, 71.6% have children between the ages of 3 and 11.  To boot, 83.9% of Active Duty personnel are enlisted; 74.2% are E6 or below.  Relocations are mandatory every three years, and take military members away from extended family.  Moreover, a military member on sea duty will deploy for at least six months at a time, every 18 – 24 months, leaving the remaining family members behind to cope on their own.  The low income in a city with a high cost of living in addition to the already stressful lifestyle can take a serious toll on our military community.

In response to needs created by these distinctive challenges, the Armed Services YMCA offers more than 40 free programs through our four departments: Family Outreach, Youth & Community Outreach, Naval Medical Center Programs, and Active Duty Programs.

What have you accomplished?

In 2007, program participation totaled 72,000, or an average monthly program participation of 5,929, and a 126% increase over 2004.  The cornerstone of the Armed Services YMCA is that we make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals.  For example, the young mother who makes a new friend at a Women’s Support & Craft Group, the recently transferred sailor introduced to all that San Diego has to offer on an Out & About Tour, or a struggling family taking advantage of our in-home confidential counseling provided by licensed social workers.  Additionally, our programs at the Naval Medical Center encompass patient recreation, therapy dog visits to the wards, and Aquacise physical therapy classes.

	How do you help people in my community?		Why do you need my support?
	How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?		Can I Volunteer? How?