Military Family Month provides all Americans the opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and service of military personnel and their families. The YMCA of the Inland Northwest recognizes military families this November and all year round by bringing families together to have fun, grow and strengthen their relationships.

It is a privilege for the Y to be a part of the Military Outreach Initiative. Military families are able to receive 3 months of pre-and-post deployment membership for the family to connect and have a healthy place to enjoy together. More than 240 families have been served through this program at the YMCA in Spokane.

This is made possible by a $31 million of federal monies from the Department of Defense and a partnership between the YMCA of USA and the Armed Services YMCA. The contract is now in an extension period effective through Feb. 15, 2014 and we hope the Department of Defense will choose to extend funding for a new contract in 2014 in order to maintain support to military and their families.

A Story From the DeArmond Family  

Our family is incredibly thankful for the partnership between the YMCA and the US Armed Forces. Through the Military Outreach Program at the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, my family is able to enjoy the many programs available to the local community.

We especially enjoy the swim lessons, group exercise classes, family swim time, and the wonderful and caring employees in Child Watch. Ensuring that my entire family can remain happy and healthy is very important and the YMCA has been at the heart of our experience while stationed in Spokane. 

Without this program in support of military families who are unable to access on post/base fitness centers easily, we would have had to drive 30 minutes out of town to the local Air Force base. My family is able to spend more quality time together because we are not spending time in the car away from activities we enjoy doing together.

Carl and Madison came to the Y because they wanted a healthier lifestyle.

Carl wanted to lower his cholesterol with more exercise than he was getting walking at the mall and wanted to give his granddaughter Madison (4 ½ years) healthy habits for life.

She loves her swimming lessons at the Valley YMCA and is looking forward to Karate and

joining the swim team in a couple of years. When asked if she wants water or a soda, she tells

her Grandpa, "Water is healthy for you." She is off to a great start living a healthy, active life!

At the Y, we provide a safe place for everyone to learn, grow and thrive. In order to keep this commitment, we work tirelessly to create and facilitate high quality programs. Over the past three years, the YMCA Teen Programs have been engaged in the Youth Program Quality (YPQ) Initiative funded by the Raikes  Foundation. The YPQ Assessment tool is a validated instrument designed to assess the quality of youth programs and identify staff training needs. The tool provides a set of items that measures youth access to key developmental experiences, such as physical and psychological safety, supportive relationships, positive social norms, and opportunities for skill-building.

Last week our Teen Programs Department received the 2013 Pinnacle Award at the Bridge Conference in Seattle, in recognition of the YMCA's commitment to the Youth Program Quality Initiative. This award was accompanied by a $500 grant for ongoing professional development.