With the war in Iraq, military children must cope with the stress and changes that come with the deployment of a parent.
For most of these children, this is the first time their parent has been deployed. This is the first time their family experience has truly become “military.” Some of these children live away from military communities and do not have the support of other children who are experiencing this displacement.
Throughout the country an effort is gaining momentum to help the children and teens cope with parental deployment.
“Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of all military youth organizations and 4-H to raise local community’s awareness of military families,” said Sue Philley, Idaho’s state OMK program coordinator. “We help communities identify military families and plan events that will appeal to these families.”
The Idaho division of OMK received $140,000 for communities to apply for mini-grants, which will help them fund events and activities designed to attract military families.
In addition to support and social activities, people who are interested in helping military children can participate in statewide activities.
These include:
• “Speak Out for Military Kids”: a program where military kids and their supporters can speak at local venues to raise awareness about the needs of military youth.
• “Hero Packs:” backpacks filled with donated items to help children stay connected to parents and to thank them for the sacrifices they make when their parents are deployed.
• “Mobile Technology Lab:” a lab with 12 computers, which the OMK plans to take the around the state to teach kids how to take and send digital pictures and DVD videos to their family members overseas.
Youth get involved with activities that run from dance to art. Many events are planned and led by youth who enjoy the contact with other military kids.
This March a national convention will be held in Washington D.C. A group of delegates will discuss even more strategies to support military families.
HELPFUL LINKS