Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads

Founded in 1861 to provide humanitarian aid to soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, the Armed Services YMCA’s (ASYMCA) mission is to enhance the lives of military members and their families in spirit, mind, and body through programs relevant to the unique challenges of military life.

Since its beginnings, ASYMCA’s goal has been to build strength and ensure the resiliency of young military families, focusing primarily on junior enlisted families. Today at 59 major installations and 218 program centers, ASYMCA achieves its goals and objectives by providing 550,000 points of service to family members through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs. ASYMCA is one of only three charities with a special relationship with the US Department of Defense (DOD). The organization officially works in coordination with the Department of Defense and on military installations to provide programs and services to troops and their families. We do not receive Federal, State, or DOD funding for our free/low-cost programs.

Hampton Roads is currently home to 111,000 personnel and over 120,000 military dependents. The first "Army YMCA" was established in 1889 at Fort Monroe, VA, making the Armed Services YMCA the oldest military support organization in the United States.
Our Hampton Roads location is one of only 12 branches across the nation and the only location serving all branches of the military. With no gym, no pool, and no membership fees, we are not a typical "Y". Our location was established in 1987. Our core programmatic focus is on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

We offer an array of no-cost and low-cost programs and services: Operation Little Learners, Operation Hero, Five Star Kids Academy - Before and After School and Summer Camp for school-age children, Five Star Kids Academy Pre-K for 3-5 year-olds, Patriot's Pantry - emergency food closet for military families, Family Readiness Group Support, Operation Holiday Joy, Operation Ride Home, Hearts for Heroes Wounded Veterans Fishing Trip, the Father-Daughter Military Ball, and the Five Star Military Family Recognition event. In 2022, we served 13,964 service and family members and provided 51,911 points of service. In just two years (since 2020) we have experienced a 117% increase in the number of people served and a 113% increase in points of service delivered.