Camp Lejeune - Armed Services YMCA

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) began its volunteer services in April 1861 at
the onset of the Civil War. In November 1861, when representatives from 15 YMCAs met to coordinate their services on a national level, they received a government endorsement and the organization was called The United States Christian Commission.

Since that time, the Armed Services YMCA has provided programs and services to the military during the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War and most recently, Operation Enduring Freedom.

Our goal is to provide our nation’s young, and often inexperienced, military people the quality-of-life support they need to build solid careers, strong families and to help them establish a secure place in the communities where their military duties take them. The ASYMCA is increasingly recognized for its program flexibility and for doing “what really works, wherever it’s needed” in helping young service members be successful. The programs provided by the ASYMCA not only meet the highest professional standards, but they are rooted in our nation’s cherished values of sacrifice and service. The challenge before us is to expand these valued programs to areas where military leaders tell us there is a real need. We are able to expand our work with military communities because corporate and community support makes it possible.