by FREDDY GROVES
Have you been to the Y lately? Did you know there are special programs there for veterans?
The alliance between the armed forces and the YMCA goes back to 1861, in Abraham Lincoln’s day, when YMCA members provided relief services to the military in local encampments. The Y also offered education scholarships long before that benefit was established for veterans and active-duty personnel. The relationship has continued all these years.
In 1984, the YMCA and the Department of Defense established a memorandum of understanding, which was renewed in 2004. And now, the VA and the YMCA have expanded their partnership to promote the health and well-being of veterans and their families.
Who knew?
The expanded agreement pairs Veterans Benefits Administration regional offices and Veterans Health Administration facilities with YMCAs to make sure veterans, as well as their families and caregivers, are hooked up with resources in their communities. Not every YMCA site has the veterans program.
The variety of programs is broad. This past summer, a new program started that provides career opportunities for veterans protecting natural and cultural resources on public lands. Some YMCAs have started scuba experiences for wounded veterans. Others sent the kids and families of veterans to camp.
Typical programs can include health and fitness, aquatics, camping, family, child care, arts, community development, sports and teens, as well as LIVESTRONG (healthy living and fitness help) and Healthy Kids Day. Some locations have diabetes prevention programs, youth after-school, preschool enrichment, aerobics and indoor track, cross training and more.
To find a YMCA near to you, go online to www.ymca.net/military-outreach, scroll and click on “Find a Y Participating in the Military Outreach Initiative.” Put in your ZIP code and then select “Show only Ys participating in the Military Outreach Initiative.”
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
