While Their Loved Ones Serve Overseas, the RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA Helps Families of Military Personnel Maintain Their Health and Well-Being

Press Release 10/27/17

PERTH AMBOY – For nearly 25 years, 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 RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA supports military families with programs and initiatives that improve their well-being and provide opportunities to connect with other families waiting at home.

“Deployment can be a stressful and uncertain time for servicemen and women and their families,” said Sholonda Chipepo, VP of Organizational Development, RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA. “The Y has numerous ways we can help, whether it’s providing a place where kids can make friends and have a sense of belonging or providing a place for adults to meet health goals, we are able to help.” 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.

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, contact Jennifer Roche, Director of Membership at 732.442.3632 or jroche@rbaymca.org.