The United Services Organizations (USO) is made up of six organizations: the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the YWCA, the National Catholic Community Service, the National Travelers Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board. The USO was founded in 1941 with the help of President Roosevelt. The intention was to provide morale and recreational services for the troops.
As the troops began to mobilize, the USO was creating a network of lounges across the US, converting churches, stores, museums, barns, and even railcars to places for these service men to feel more at home. While the federal government built or leased some of these spaces, most of these were funded by charitable donations and staffed completely by volunteers.