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Why Support Matters
Military life can be challenging, but community support reduces stress, strengthens families, and builds lasting bonds.
A military family is made stronger by the village it builds.
Build Your Village
- Attend military or community family events.
- Join the New Parent Support Program playgroups or the Family Advocacy Program parenting class.
- Attend chapel or faith-based events or family support groups.
- Exchange contact info with neighbors, especially during PCS season.
- Get involved in the Parent Board at your child's child development center (CDC) or school-age care (SAC) program.
- Host monthly potlucks or game nights with other families.
- Start a coffee or walking club with other parents.
- Volunteer or enroll your children in youth sports.
- Connect with the Exceptional Family Member Program for additional resources and attend their family events.
- Join family involvement activities at your child’s CDC or SAC program to connect, play, and grow together.
Support Resources
- Family Advocacy Program (FAP) offers workshops and classes for parenting, relationships, stress, and anger management to maintain healthy family relationships.
- New Parent Support Program (NPSP) provides a range of support for parents of children 0-5 years old, including home visitation, playgroups, parenting classes, and baby boot camp.
- Child and Youth Programs (CYP) provide high-quality child care and recreational activities for children and teens from birth to 18 years old, including child development centers, school-age care programs, family childcare, and a variety of youth and teen programs.
- Other Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) programs offer free or low-cost activities.
Online Communities & Apps
- Military OneSource: 24/7 support for parenting, relationships, and mental health.
- Babies on the Homefront mobile app: Articles, videos, toolkits, etc. to support military families.
- Facebook groups: Local military spouse communities, deployment support circles.
- MilitaryMomCollective.com: Articles, forums, and shared experiences from fellow parents.
Take the First Step
Military life isn’t meant to be faced alone.
Strength grows through connection, and support begins with simple actions—showing up, reaching out, and getting involved.
Whether navigating parenthood, settling into a new duty station, or building friendships, community resources are in place to help families thrive.
Now is the time to build a village, strengthen bonds, and create lasting support—because together, the Marine Corps community is stronger.
Last Updated: 16 Sep 2025