Two Ways the Y is working to support our military and veteran families:
- Families of currently deployed military staff receive a YMCA membership free (paid for by the Department of Defense). Contact our Office Manager, Lyn Salaba for details (Lyn@northfieldymca.org or 507-645-0088). More information below.
- Veterans can sign up for a Y Membership in Minnesota and have the joiner’s fee waived. This is a partnership with the Y’s in Minnesota and the Veterans Administration. More details below.
Northfield Area Family YMCA Provides Support to Military Families as Part of a new $31-Million Initiative
Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership gives military families access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs
As part of the new Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Outreach Initiative, the Northfield Area Family YMCA will provide military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs.
“The Northfield Area Family YMCA is happy to help meet the critical needs facing families of deployed military service members,” said Virginia Kaczmarek, Executive Director of the Northfield Area Family YMCA. “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. 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 Kaczmarek. “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.”
YMCA Membership is FREE to eligible families and includes access to the Health & Wellness fitness center, free child care at the center, free youth programs and discounts on programs. 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 2,686 YMCAs, will help launch the initiative at participating YMCAs across the country.
More information about the ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative can be found by visiting www.asymca.org.
Press Release/Public Service Announcement
Northfield Area Family YMCA
Effective immediately, the YMCA in partnership with the Veterans Administration is providing a $0 Joiners fee for Veteran and their families. At the Y, we understand the dedication and personal sacrifice that veterans and their families make to protect and serve our nation. As a small token of gratitude for your military service, we’re waiving the joiner fee for veterans and their families at every Y across Minnesota (monthly membership costs still apply).
“As a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, I could not be more proud of this partnership with the VA. I look forward to finding more ways to support not only those who have served our country but also their families.” said Virginia Kaczmarek, Northfield Area Family YMCA, CEO.
We are here to help support your health and wellness goals. For more information about programs and membership at the Northfield Are Family YMCA, visit our website at www.northfieldymca.org or call 507-645-0088. You are our heroes. Thank you for serving our nation. We are honored to serve you in return.