YMCA reaches out to military families
NORWICH – Spouses and families of actively deployed military personnel may be eligible for free membership at the Norwich Family YMCA.
For the last two years, the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative has made a significant impact through the help of the Armed Services YMCA and the U.S. Department of Defense. The Norwich Family YMCA itself has provided assistance to 23 families around the area, totaling more than 100 individuals.
“It’s a great program,” said Jamey Mullen, executive director. “We can provide free memberships for these families until mom or dad comes home.”
The program began almost two years ago as the result of a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. Since then, 1,407 YMCAs across the country have become involved providing these benefits to over 35,000 military families and almost 70,000 children.
Julie A. Wallen, membership and billing coordinator at the Norwich Family YMCA, had a son serving in Iraq at the time the initiative began. “He served two tours in Iraq and had a family here at home,” she said. “And Joyce [Hagen] our finance director, had a son-in-law in Afghanistan. So we were excited (to learn about it).”
“We jumped all over it,” said Mullen. “This is something that other places (in Norwich) don’t have ... or can’t offer.”
The program gives eligible families full access to the Y at no cost for six months. The membership can be extended in six-month increments as long as the family continues to use the facility. “They have to scan their cards at least eight times a month,” said Mullen. Membership through the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative is also universal. “They can use the membership at any YMCA that participates,” said Wallen.
Additionally, when the deployed family member returns, that person gets a three-month free membership.
Eligibility can be determined by filling out two short registration forms at the YMCA. “It’s very easy to apply,” said Wallen. In order to be eligible, you must have a spouse who is either a deployed Reserve or National Guard or on active duty. For more information, contact the YMCA at 336-9622 or online at norwichymca.com.
For the last two years, the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative has made a significant impact through the help of the Armed Services YMCA and the U.S. Department of Defense. The Norwich Family YMCA itself has provided assistance to 23 families around the area, totaling more than 100 individuals.
“It’s a great program,” said Jamey Mullen, executive director. “We can provide free memberships for these families until mom or dad comes home.”
The program began almost two years ago as the result of a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. Since then, 1,407 YMCAs across the country have become involved providing these benefits to over 35,000 military families and almost 70,000 children.
Julie A. Wallen, membership and billing coordinator at the Norwich Family YMCA, had a son serving in Iraq at the time the initiative began. “He served two tours in Iraq and had a family here at home,” she said. “And Joyce [Hagen] our finance director, had a son-in-law in Afghanistan. So we were excited (to learn about it).”
“We jumped all over it,” said Mullen. “This is something that other places (in Norwich) don’t have ... or can’t offer.”
The program gives eligible families full access to the Y at no cost for six months. The membership can be extended in six-month increments as long as the family continues to use the facility. “They have to scan their cards at least eight times a month,” said Mullen. Membership through the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative is also universal. “They can use the membership at any YMCA that participates,” said Wallen.
Additionally, when the deployed family member returns, that person gets a three-month free membership.
Eligibility can be determined by filling out two short registration forms at the YMCA. “It’s very easy to apply,” said Wallen. In order to be eligible, you must have a spouse who is either a deployed Reserve or National Guard or on active duty. For more information, contact the YMCA at 336-9622 or online at norwichymca.com.
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