SAN DIEGO ARMED SERVICES YMCA

(858) 751-5755 · 3293 SANTO ROAD · SAN DIEGO, CA 92124

“Serving Those Who Serve America”

Preserving Combat Readiness
Through
Family Readiness

Our Mission: The San Diego Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) was established in
1920 with the focus of supporting and enhancing the lives of local active duty military
members and their families – Serving Those
Who Serve America. The ASYMCA provides
programs that strengthen families and are
relevant to the unique challenges of military
life. The mission of the San Diego ASYMCA is
to improve the lives of junior enlisted service
members and their families in mind, body,
and spirit.

Our Programs: The ASYMCA offers

many distinct programs to enhance the qual-
ity of life for service members and their fami-
lies. Our average monthly program participation continually increases to meet family
needs influenced by extended and unexpected multiple deployments to Iraq and Af-
ghanistan. Existing programs are expanding into new military housing areas and new
programs are being developed to meet identified needs.

9000 All of our programs are designed to

assist military families and encom-
8500 pass the entire spectrum of demands
8000 placed upon them.
7500
7000
6500
6000
2008 2009 2010
7574 7917 8589
Average Monthly Program
Participation
Family Bonding & Strengthening Programs
Operation Kid Comfort provides no cost quilts
to children of a deployed or deploying parent. A photo transfer
quilt, bearing images of the deployed family member alone or
interacting with the family, is made for each child to help as-
suage separation anxiety and maintain a parental bond during
deployment. This comfort quilt is made with loving care by a
dedicated network of volunteers to provide the child with a feel-
ing of closeness during the parent’s deployment. Over 2000
quilts have been produced for military families since the pro-
grams inception in 2005.

Mom & Tots Class is a developmental pro-

gram for preschool aged children (2-5) and their par-
ent or guardian to foster a positive interactive rela-
tionship. The facilitator uses learning shapes, colors,
animals, numbers, and the alphabet to create a strong
basis for entry into kindergarten. This program addi-
tionally creates a support network amongst the par-
ticipating parents.

The Father Daughter Dance is an annual

event that brings together fathers and daughters for an eve-
ning of bonding. This dance includes a catered dinner, mu-
sic throughout the night, and other special entertainment
while affording an opportunity for fathers and daughters to
spend quality time together—time that will never be forgot-
ten.

Our Holiday Outreach Programs provide mili-

tary families E5 and below with toys & food or gift cards during the
holiday season. At our Holiday Toy Program, each registered fam-
ily is able to “shop” to select two new toys per child. Each family in
this program further receives a gift card to use for holiday meal
purchases. This program served 615 families and 1660 military
children in 2008 . Our Adopt-A-Family program enables local
individuals, families, or businesses to provide food, clothing, toys,
and household goods to a specific military family via a wish list.
These programs are a way of thanking military families for their
service throughout the year and promotes family wellness during a
typically stressful season.

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Our Christmas You Missed event is an annual
program that brings together families who were separated
due to a deployment during the holiday season. During this
re-creation of Christmas morning, military family members
enjoy holiday music, a buffet breakfast, and presents from
Santa. This event provides a structured, meaningful experi-
ence for both children and their parents. Christmas You
Missed presents a unique occasion for military families to
create Christmas memories they might have otherwise missed
out on.

T ota l S e s s io ns The In Home Counseling Program

is designed to improve a family’s quality of life and
1000 ensure protection of children. Our staff of highly
trained social workers conduct home visits to provide
800
marital counseling, depression/post partum counsel-
600 ing, parenting assistance, financial management, and
crisis intervention. All services are free, confidential
400
and offered in the family home to alleviate the need
200 for childcare or transportation. Our Family Out-
reach Department has seen a 43% increase in ser-
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2 vices from 2003 to 2008.

The Respite Care Program offers an important element

in child abuse prevention. This program provides financial assistance
for short-term temporary childcare to provide relief during deploy-
ments or periods of high stress. This program is used in tandem with
our counseling services.

The Family Emergency Supply Program offers

support to families in the form of basic need supplies or gift cards,
such as commissary gift cards, gasoline cards, telephone cards, and
additional gift cards to local retailers (for supplies such as diapers,
formula, baby food, etc.)

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 At Homecomings, our Active Duty Pro-
gram staff assists families awaiting the arrival of
returning ships and air squadrons by providing
games and entertainment for children. Activities
include coloring sheets and predesigned crafts.
All ships returning to the San Diego Naval Base
at 32nd Street and Naval Air Station North
Island are supported, as are all squadrons return-
ing to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Medical Center Classes, at the Na-

val Medical Center, are designed to offer succor
and guidance to military families experiencing
medical crises or health concerns. They provide
support and guidance to parents of children with
autism or other special needs, and to individuals undergoing substance abuse rehabilitation. A pre-op
orientation for families with children scheduled for surgery is also offered. There is an aquatics class for
active-duty, reservists, and retirees who suffer from arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Comprehensive Combat Casualty Care Center (C5) Volunteers
provide 24/7 support for families. When a patient is flown from overseas to Naval Medical Center, their
families usually come to San Diego to be by their loved one's side. The first 48 hours is the most stressful
time as the family is unable to immediately have quality time with the injured patient and do not know
what to expect. Specially recruited, individually trained, and on call 24/7, dedicated C5 volunteers pro-
vide a friendly face, and use an "active listening" approach to put the family at ease. Family needs vary
with each medevac - some may need toiletries, food, directions around San Diego, or perhaps just a
warm cup of coffee and someone to talk to. Our Medevac Family Support Volunteers play a crucial role
in providing the gift of presence to those family members in need.

Youth Development Programs

Operation Hero is an after-school program that targets
children who have been identified by school personnel as at-risk,
exhibiting low self-esteem, and/or difficulty adjusting both aca-
demically and socially in the school environment. Curriculum is
designed to help children cope with the challenges of military life,
provide tools to help them succeed in school, and help them de-
velop a positive self image while improving social and communi-
cation skills. We also offer Camp Hero, a summer enrichment
program, to supplement Operation Hero.

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 Youth Enrichment in the Summer
(YES) is a free summer field trip program that provides
children in military families, ages 5 to 13, the opportunity to
explore what San Diego has to offer. Past trips include out-
ings to Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, local
beach picnics, and other activity based adventures.

Healthy Kids Day is an annual event held

each spring which provides a wide assortment of fun,
family-oriented physical activities that focus on play
while encouraging kids and families to stay active,
connected, and healthy. Additionally, local community
organizations offer physical health and nutrition infor-
mation to participants to promote the advancement of
a healthy lifestyle. Healthy food is available for a pic-
nic lunch.

Clinical Groups are offered by our ASY Social

Workers to local children at elementary schools with a high
population of military dependents. The primary ongoing fo-
cus is on our Deployment Groups which meet for 30 minutes,
1 time a week, for 6 week sessions throughout the school year.
The group meets on site at the school and is incorporated into
the child’s school schedule. Other groups are facilitated as
necessary and include: Self-Esteem, Confidence Crew, and
Anger Management.

Social Networking Programs

Out & About Tours of San Diego introduce mili-
tary members and their families to the San Diego area. The
tours, scheduled into the normal command orientation, are
narrated and include brief stops at major points of interest
throughout the city.

The Adopt-A-Command Program provides com-

mands with the opportunity to enjoy a free pizza party hosted
by our Active Duty Program Department as our way of show-
ing appreciation for all that our local service members do.

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Craft & Conversation Groups are
weekly gatherings for spouses to promote conversa-
tion and mutual support amongst participants. These
groups foster a positive social networking opportu-
nity while offering on-site structured childcare to
provide much needed “adult time”.

Healthy Living Walking

Group is a weekly walking event that in-
cludes introductions and stretching, a fitness
walk, a discussion period, and the distribution
of water and a nutritious snack. Each discus-
sion features a distinct health topic and may
encompass goal setting, nutrition and exer-
cise, heart disease, weight loss, body image
and eating disorders, or any number of other
women’s health subjects. The group also takes
an occasional outing to other walker friendly
venues such as Mission Bay Park or Balboa
Park. Strollers are welcome.

The Military Volunteer Pro-

gram in our active-duty program depart-
ment connects groups of military personnel
from all service branches with volunteer op-
portunities in the community. Past activities
have included: volunteering at the Polinsky
Children's Center, where the service mem-
bers play basketball and other games with
teenagers from difficult home environments,
tutoring at-risk children at a San Diego Pub-
lic Library, coaching Special Olympics ath-
letes, maintaining memorials at the Crime
Victims’ Oak Garden, and participating in
local beach clean-ups or Habitat for Human-
ity projects.

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The Medical Hold Support contributes to
the mental well-being and health of active duty service
members at the Naval Medical Center who are on medi-
cal hold. The program is primarily designed to provide
outings and volunteer opportunities that change indi-
vidual attitudes, modify behavior, and provide increased
skills. Each service member is also contacted to deter-
mine his or her personal needs (clothing, toiletries, etc.)
which are then provided to the individual. This program
sometimes includes purchasing airline tickets to enable
wounded service members undergoing extended treat-
ment to fly home for a family visit. Additional assistance
can also be arranged for the families of recovering ser-
vice members.

The Therapy Dog Program can be

seen each week as specially trained dogs and their owners visit patients
on the wards, including the ICU and C-5 unit of Naval Medical Center. At
the time of the visit, patients have an opportunity to be photographed
with the dogs who are frequently in costume. These weekly visits are a
source of joy and comfort for patients and staff throughout the hospital.

Patient Recreation at the Naval Medical Center con-

sists of activities that contribute to the well-being and health of
inpatients at the Naval Medical Center. Patients are provided tele-
visions, VCRs, videos, video games, books, magazines, games,
crafts, and other entertainment. Volunteers deliver these items to
bed-bound patients and are available to provide company, support
and friendship.

The Neighborhood Exchange Program is a

monthly food distribution program that helps families reduce their
food costs and budget their funds for other expenses in. The San
Diego ASYMCA, in partnership with the San Diego Food Bank, will
distribute over 300 free bags of food each month to civilian and mili-
tary families who qualify for assistance. The food distribution is cou-
pled with a coffee social and entertainment for children.

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Funding
• No federal funding
• No state funding
• No city/county funding
• Current sources of revenue:
◦ Land lease of downtown property
◦ Annual partner-member campaign
◦ Foundation grants
◦ Corporate donations
◦ Individual/private donations
◦ Other partnerships
A 89% of all funding goes directly into programs in support of,
and that improves the quality of life for San Diego’s military
families. The remaining 11% covers our administrative operat-
ing costs.

The Future
Our organization anticipates significant growth across all programs due to the following:
• Results from a Military Family Needs Assessment conducted from 2006- 2007 that
identified new concerns
• The opening of new community centers in military housing
• Increased program awareness
• Continuation of our military presence abroad and in Middle East conflict zones
• Family problems arising due to post deployment family reunification

Corporate Partner Member Program

To meet future program needs, the San Diego Armed Services YMCA must maintain a revenue
stream that provides sufficient funding for programs focused on enlisted military personnel
and their families. The ASY designed its Corporate Partner-Member Program to establish a set
annual contribution from businesses interested in assisting military families. Received funds
are applied against current program operating costs and enable us to invest a portion of our
ground lease revenue in an endowment fund.

San Diego Armed Services YMCA Paul Hartley Complex

3293 Santo Road
San Diego, CA 92124
Phone: 858.751.5755 ~ Fax: 858.751.5769
www.militaryymca.org
For Further Information contact:
Captain Paul Steffens, SC, USN (Ret.)
Executive Director
Phone: 858-751-5755 x101 Email: paul@asymcasd.org
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