VIENNA, Va. — The Armed Services YMCA and Navy Federal Credit Union said they are expanding a national partnership aimed at increasing access to affordable childcare for military families, with a second year of programming focused on communities facing the greatest shortages of care.
According to the Armed Services YMCA and Navy Federal, the expanded initiative will increase childcare capacity, improve affordability and provide more flexible care options tailored to military families, including services during evenings, weekends and summer months when traditional childcare options are often unavailable.
“The partnership with NFCU has been incredible for our childcare offerings in various locations,” William French, president and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA and a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, said in a statement. “The results we saw from year one essentially tells us that while successful, there is a lot more to be done. And that is what this phase is, expansion — more space, more access, more families served.”
Measurable Results
The organizations said the first year of the partnership produced measurable results across five military communities with significant service member populations and childcare needs.
According to the Armed Services YMCA and Navy Federal, the partnership:
- Enabled 342 additional children per day to access programming in Killeen, Texas.
- Supported 956 participants in after-school, camp and early learning programs in San Diego.
- Added hundreds of camp registrations and expanded school-day programming at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
- Increased access to preschool, summer camp and early learning programs in Hawaii and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Who is Primarily Served
The organizations said the initiative primarily serves junior enlisted military families, many of whom face challenges securing affordable childcare while balancing military service obligations.
“We know access to childcare is a significant need across this country,” Navy Federal Credit Union President and CEO Dietrich Kuhlmann said in a statement. “Like all parents, military families deserve high-quality, affordable childcare options while they work to keep our nation safe. We are tremendously grateful for ASYMCA’s partnership, and we look forward to expanding our support for military families where it’s needed most.”
New Initiatives
As the partnership enters its second year, the organizations said they will continue to focus on high-need military communities and expand services where demand exceeds available capacity.
Examples of new initiatives include:
- Killeen, Texas: Expansion of physical facilities to serve more children and military families.
- San Diego: Increased childcare access through a scholarship-based model designed to improve affordability.
The Armed Services YMCA and Navy Federal said the ongoing effort reflects their shared commitment to strengthening childcare access and supporting the overall well-being of military families nationwide.
