The Gateway Family YMCA helps the families of military personnel maintain their health and well-being while their loved ones serve overseas.
Since 1993, YMCAs have celebrated Military Family Month, providing Americans the opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice, and service of military personnel and their families.
Throughout the year, and especially this November, The Gateway Family YMCA supports military families with programs and initiatives that improve their well-being and provide opportunities to connect with other families waiting at home.
“When a loved one is away from home, military families face many challenges,” said Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA. “The Y has numerous ways we can help, whether it’s proving a place where kids can make friends and have a sense of belonging or providing a place for adults to meet health goals, the Y has a number of options to help.”
The Gateway Family YMCA offers Y memberships through the Military Outreach Initiative. Since 2008, the Military Outreach Initiative has provided more than 75,000 Y memberships to military members and their families and more than 115,000 children recevied child care through the Respite Child Care program or similar programs. Here in Eastern Union County and Northern Middlesex County, The Gateway Family YMCA provides Military Family Memberships to qualified families.
First established by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and recognized by first lady Nancy Reagan in 1993, Military Family Month recognizes the dedication and service of military personnel and their families.
On Oct. 30, 2009, President Barack Obama continued this important initiative by proclaiming November as Military Family Month, calling on “all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our Nation.”
To learn more about the Y and programming that supports military families, visit www.tgfymca.org or contact the Elizabeth Branch at 908-355-9622, Five Points Branch at 908-688-9622, Rahway Branch 908-388-0057, Wellness Center Branch at 908-349-9622.