Children & Youth
Purpose: “To develop, implement and monitor programs and activities that contribute to the physical, mental and emotional health and wellness of children and youth of military families.” National POA
Department Chairman: Virginia Lisbon
Objectives:
- An Unit may undertake a military Children & Youth program/activity other than National Auxiliary-supported program. The program should have military children and youth as its target population. The Unit should demonstrate that the program is innovative in nature or responsive to an explicit unmet need among military children an youth.
- To support the implementation of children & youth program of the American Legion.
- To recognize and reward the positive actions of today’s children and youth.
- To provide direct aid, service and information about sources for children of Veterans.
Youth Awards:
- Youth Hero Award – is an award for youth, under the age of 18 years of age, who perform a heroic act of physical valor. For Youth Hero Award Nomination Form, click here. To view Youth Hero Flyer, click here.
- Good Deed Award – is an award for youth, under the age of 18, who are great examples of community service. For Good Deed Award Nomination Form, click here.
It is imperative that each and every Unit fills out the C & Y Unit Report in May.
For “Outstanding” Promotion of Supporting Activities form, click here.
ALA KIDDS (Kids in danger of Depression and Suicide)
This is an Auxiliary project that builds referral netwroks of public and provate support at the community level for the social and mental well-being of military children. Activities include:
Convening ALA KIDDS community groups that meet to identify ways to better address the needs of military children. Meeting participants could include:
- Mental Health organization volunteers
- Military parents
- Representatives from Boys and Girls Clubs
- Big Brothers and Sisters (BBBS)
- School counselors, teachers or other representatives
- Guard/Reserve Family Readiness Group representatives
- Operation Military Kids (OMK) representatives
- Any other individual, group or organization with a stake in military wellness
Josh the Dog and Friends
For centuries dogs have been woven into the heart of humankind. From celebrated rescues, to wartime heroism, to canine ventures into space, to countless stories of companionship, the powerful connection between dogs and people has become the stuff of legend. It’s no wonder then that increasingly, medical studies are zeroing in on the undisputed healing power dogs can have on hospitalized patients — especially children.
Around the world, cuddly canines known as “therapy dogs” visit hospitals helping to replace a patient’s anxiety and fear with wet kisses and unconditional love. Josh, the loving, wag-happy vanilla-colored Golden Retriever based out of Knoxville, Tennessee is one of those amazing canines that daily brings comfort to hundreds of hospitalized children.
As an extension of that mission, The Josh and Friends Project, is emerging to national attention with the ability to impact the lives of even more children.
Using the book, I’ll Be O.K. and the cuddly “Josh” plush puppy, The Josh and Friends Project is helping transform anxious hospital stays for children into friendship-filled adventures to wellness. Josh and Friends was formed when two dads, Dr. Randy Lange set out to alleviate stress and provide comfort to children going into the hospital.
Josh and Friends has partnered with several prestigious groups and organizations to make this nationwide outreach successful.
Josh the Dog History and Order Form
Operation Military Kids (OMK)
It is a program to support the children and youth of our deployed military. Officially started in April 2005, it has touched 88,000 youth of our service members.
Through community networks, OMK offers for elementary, middle (jr. high) school and teen aged youth. It connects them with various supportive resources.
Pennsylvania Team offers the following programs:
- Hero Packs- filled backpacks as a small token of appreciation. They are two (2) types: ages 3-8 and ages 9-18 years of age. Both contain items of fun activities and ways to stay connected with deployed parents.
- Ready, Set, Go! (RSG!) - is a training toolkit for youth workers, educators, counselors and communities. RSG! Increases awareness of the unique issues facing the youth of deployed.
- Speak Out Military Kids (SOMK)- is a program for both military and nonmilitary youth. They receive training on public speaking, media equipment, press releases, etc. They also have the opportunity to “speak out” on the military families’ behalf.
- Youth/Family Activities- Pennsylvania is working hard to offer children and families with special programs and events throughout the year. Some examples are: a FunRun, Carnegie Science Center sleepover, Kennywood trip and a Welcome Home event through the Butler VA.
- Kissing Hand Loaner Kits – available for loan, includes “The Kissing Hand”, Chester the Raccoon puppet, an activity book and other resources available for military families. “The Kissing Hand” helps reduce the stress of separation. The story is about Chester who does not want to go to school and leave his mother.3
For more information visit the Operation Military Kids on how to assist or become involved
Helping America’s Youth
The federal government has launched, “Helping America’s Youth,” a Web site that helps you determine your community’s needs related to children and youth and how to develop collaborations and local solutions. http://www.helpingamericasyouth.org
Children Welfare Foundation
Not all children in America are raised with the characterization of a normal childhood development. For many children each day is a tribulation with pain, prayer and determination. They require specialized care. To overcome these difficulties, they need help from members of the ALA and the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was established in 1954 as a repository of contributions to be used for the betterment of children in this country. The foundation’s priority is to provide other nonprofit organizations with the means to educate the public about the special needs of children across this nation.
For more information, please visit the CWF website at www.legion.org/cwf/ or to view CWF brochure, click here.