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The Children and Youth of today are our future leaders of tomorrow.  It is the obligation of each member of "The American Legion Auxiliary" to nurture, mentor and guide these seedlings, so they develop into strong sturdy blooms for tomorrow.

 Department President Ann’s project this year is Children’s Organ Transplant Association, also known as COTA.  All funds raised this year will be used to assist children in New York State.  Remember, we need to continue to cultivate a new attitude, and if we Dream it, Believe it, we will Succeed at it.

In a message from the National President, Kris Nelson, she quotes “In the spirit of God and Country, we serve veterans, military and their families.” She also states “This is what the Auxiliary was founded to do.” These are the words that she is asking all members to use when asking our family, neighbors, and community members to join us in service.  Her theme that we will be using throughout the year is “Honor Their Service,” always remembering that we are Auxiliary members because of a veteran in our family.  Everything we do is to honor the service of our veterans.  America’s heroes.

 Again this year, The Department of New York will follow the guidelines of The National Organization for this committee. 

PURPOSE:  To protect, care for and support children and youth, particularly those of veterans’ families and military families.

There are three main objectives:

1. 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.

The American Legion Auxiliary needs to be a strong source of care and support for military families.

1. Organize and host a meeting, invite local groups or other organizations in the community that can guide and support the children of military families.

2. Increase awareness of Kids in Danger of Depression and Suicide.

3. Contact local Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Operation Military Kids

Host a family resource and service fair to introduce military families to mental health and social support services in the community, as well as military family support by the American Legion Family.  Have the Juniors and Sons involved so they could meet the military children and parents.  Familiarize them with the programs of the American Legion Family, along with the scholarships offered.

ALA KIDDS- Kids in Danger of Depression and Suicide. This is an Auxiliary project that builds referral networks of public and private support at the community level for the social and mental well-being of military children.   Some activities that are suggested are: meeting with the military parents, volunteers from the mental health sector for Give an Hour, representatives from Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Operation Military Kids, school counselors, teachers, guard and reserve family readiness group representatives etc.

BIG BROTHERS / BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA MILITARY MENTORING PROGRAM (BBBS) (MMP) – offers one-to-one mentoring to children and youth of military families.  Some activities suggested are: work with the local BBBS to create educational or recreational group events for unmatched military children.  BBBS focus activities on recreation, educational and career, arts and culture, civic engagement, and health and fitness.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA MILITARY PROGRAMS   (BGCA)– provides services to military children and youth at youth center on military installations and through outreach to traditional community centers.  Some ideas include: joint service projects and peer mentoring for Juniors and BGCA military children.

Operation Military Kids (OMK) – supports military children and youth through community awareness, community capacity building and outreach support services.  Some activities under OMK include assembling hero packs; this is a great opportunity to get the youth of the organization involved with.  Hero packs are age specified and can include a wide variety of items from school supplies to small toys, hair barrettes etc.  There are also parent pouches that can include brochures and information important to military parents regarding services available to them through the American Legion Family and Veterans Affairs.  The Program Coordinator for New York State is Barbara Kessler, 203 North Hamilton Street, Watertown, NY 13601
Phone # 313-788-8450, ext. 232 - Email: bdk49@cornell.edu

2. Ideas for how to respond to an explicit unmet need among military children and youth.

Some suggestions are:

1. Sponsor a “You’re My Hero” event for military children.

2. Sometimes military families can’t afford prom dresses and suits for their teenagers to go to their prom.  Advertise in the local newspapers, and see if any of the stores have dresses that they are willing to donate for the cause.

3. Contact a local Veterans homeless shelter and find out if there are any children there that need clothing, school supplies, etc.  Be creative. Ask at your local schools, often they know of the military family in the school that is in need of school supplies etc. and assist them with these things .

4. Ask at your local schools, often they know of the military family in the school that is in need of school supplies etc. and assist them with these things.

3. Support the implementation of Children and Youth programs of The American Legion Family.

1. Order Halloween Safety brochures.  Distribute them at local schools and throughout the Post neighborhood. 
   (Order through Emblem Sales)

2. Hold a Halloween party at the Post for military children as well as neighborhood children and Junior members of the Legion Family.

April is Children & Youth Month

Child Welfare Foundation – The main objective of the Child Welfare Foundation is to provide financial assistance to the American Legion in their efforts to award grants to non-profit organizations whose primary function is to educate the public about the needs of children across the nation.  For more information on this program, visit http://www.legion.org/childwelfare

Family Support Network – The American Legion’s Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and families whose lives have been directly affected by Operation Iraqi Freedom and America’s war on terror where there are minor children involved.  Hotline- 1 -800-504-4098.  Website  www.legion.org/fsn

Temporary Financial Assistance is also available from the American Legion it assists veterans with children that are in need of temporary financial assistance.  The program has specific guidelines.  To learn more contact the American legion, Department of New York.

Children’s Miracle Network – The American Legion Family is a sponsor of CMN.  It was founded in 1983.  As of 2011, CMN hospitals has raised more than 4.3 billion dollars, most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time. 

Health & Safety Programs – Publications for information on Gateway Drugs, Suicide Warning Signs, Halloween Safety and Missing Children are available from the American Legion.  Visit  http://www.legion.org/youth

American Legion Children’s Home – is located in Ponca City, OK. 
For more information http://www.legion.org/forum/90101/american-legion-childrens-home

Mercy Medical Airlift – Accepts donations of air miles for children in need of air medical transportation.  For more information visit   http://mercymedical.org/

All of the above objectives and programs can be held in your Post home with the help of the entire Legion Family.  Whether you host a fun night, Halloween party, Safety Seminar for the children and youth, pack Hero Packs or simply welcome military families and give them information that may be of importance to them.  Whatever you and/or your unit do, it is important that you report it to your County Chairman who will then report it to this Chairman.

Watch for future newsletters and bulletins regarding Children and Youth and share them with your unit and county members.  Sharing is Caring.  Bulletins will be full of ideas and important information.               

REPORTING PROCEDURE:  Note, there are only two reporting dates this year.  Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen: Please send Unit report form to reach your County Chairman by  November 1, 2011, March 1, 2012

County Chairmen:  Please send County report form  to reach the Dept. Chairman by  November 10, 2011, March 10, 2012

Units should report to Counties prior to the Department Deadlines;

Note: Forms are in PDF Format  and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...

Barbara Corker
Dept Children &Youth Chairman
email: babscork@optonline.net

NOTE: For Chairman's physical address, contact  Barbara or Department Office        

Click here for Children & Youth continued.  ( Department and National Awards)