Tampa YMCA Military Families Program
The Operation Strong Families program supports active military and veteran families. This family program for parents and children meets two evenings per week for 10 weeks for 60 minutes each time. Parents will meet with other parents in a small group setting led by a facilitator once per week for a discussion and once per week for a workout. While adults have their sessions, children in grades 3-6 meet together twice per week for their group sessions (younger children may stay in the Kids Zone childcare while the parents and older siblings meet).
During the program, families will experience the following benefits:
- Reduced stress for parents/caregivers
- Increased knowledge of community resources
- Improved social support for all
- Enhanced youth self-esteem
This family program is open to the military community and offered at no charge thanks to funding from the Children’s Board of Tampa Bay.
Operation Strong Families (OSF) is a 10-week targeted program designed for active duty and veteran families. Our goal is to make the Tampa YMCA a local destination where these families can grow in health, connectedness, and mental wellness.
Operation Hero (OH) is an enrichment program designed to address issues faced by many of our military youth. The program is for children who experience academic difficulties and children who demonstrate difficulty dealing with emotions or other barriers.
Program Highlights
OSF & OH will meet 2 evenings per week at the same time.
Sites:
- South Tampa Family YMCA
- Spurlino Family YMCA (Riverview)
- Northwest Family YMCA (Town & Country)
- North Brandon Family YMCA (Seffner)
Participants: Active military & veteran families, including children in 3rd through 6th grade who are enrolled in Operation Hero.
Curriculum: Small group discussions focusing on the lived experiences of military families, and small group personal training to enhance physical and mental health. Children will work within a small group of children just like them 2 days a week for 10 weeks in a curriculum provided by the Armed Services YMCA, tailored to address the unique struggles of military life.
Program Objectives: Reduce stress for participating parents/caregivers; Increase knowledge of community resources; Improve social support for participants; and Enhance youth self-esteem.
Week | Operation Hero | Operation Strong Families |
1 | Welcome / Me, Myself, and I/ Self-Esteem | Welcome / Introductions / About My Family / YMCA Resources |
2 | Respect | Self-Identity / Mutual Respect / Becoming Strong Together |
3 | Responsibility | Family Financial Readiness / Resources |
4 | Honesty / Integrity | Ways to Share Military Experiences with Children |
5 | Feelings / Caring | Dealing with Mental & Emotional Impacts on Military Families / "Emotional Tank" |
6 | Deployment / Family Seperation | Feeling Together When Apart / Communicating / Youth Education Resources |
7 | Problem Solving / Teamwork | Family Routines / Rituals / "Game Night", "Movie Night" |
8 | Family & Friends | Resiliency Cues / Journaling / "Coaching Each Other" |
9 | Bullying | Dealing with Conflict / "Becoming Unstuck" |
10 | Wrap Up / Final Week | Wrap Up / Final Week |
For more information, updates on registration, or any questions, please contact:
Dave Jewell
Associate Program Director - Military Families Program
David.Jewell@TampaYMCA.org | 813.224.9622 ext. 1723.