The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), was set up by the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America. Its goal back then – a century-and-a-half ago – is the same as it is now; to help all military personnel and their families, in an attempt at providing them with a higher quality of life. The organization seeks to do this via Christian principles that are manifested in the “educational, recreational, social and religious programs” it creates for them.
Working with the military in this endeavor, the ASYMCA, has, over the years, been highly successful. Our soldiers and their families have benefitted greatly from its work. The idea has very much been to provide all our soldiers with “a quality of life commensurate with their service to the Nation.” However, while the ASYMCA indeed seeks to improve conditions for all soldiers, there has, in recent years, been a special focus on the services on the young, Junior Enlisted Troops and Families, since it is those soldiers who are at highest risk and thus have the greatest needs.