Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
11/5/04
Release: Immediate
Contacts:
Chris Gleason, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development, 515-294-1557, cgleason@iastate.edu
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, 515-294-9640,
couverso@iastate.edu
Iowa 4-H'ers Speak Out for Military Kids
AMES, Iowa -- Many Iowa children know first-hand the disruption brought to family life by deployment of soldiers and reservists with the National Guard.
"The war on terrorism brings dramatic change to children's lives," says Chris Gleason, Iowa 4-H liaison to the Army's Operation Military Kids (OMK) program. "The most recent figures tell us there are 1,161 Iowa National Guard soldiers and 778 reservists deployed from Iowa, impacting 2,195 children. Since those figures came out, more than 550 soldiers from southeast Iowa have been deployed."
Iowa's military kids often live far from support systems available to kids living on a military base, Gleason said. Iowa 4-H, a program of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension, is moving to bridge that distance by engaging its membership in building community awareness and support for military families.
Teams of Iowa youth, both 4-H and non 4-H, met in June and October with military kids and parents to identify issues that face families during deployment. Now they plan to put those issues before their community leaders and organizations as a part of a program they call Speak Out for Military Kids.
"We learned that children with family members in the military take personally those unfavorable comments they hear about the war on terrorism," Michael Cooley, ISU freshman and OMK youth leader, said. "Classroom discussions, even casual conversation can give emotional pain to military kids."
Other issues facing families include day-to-day coping with transportation, child care, home maintenance and budget. "It's different when the car won't start, and the person who knows how to fix it isn't there," Gleason said.
"Families often don't ask for help, even when it's needed. They don't want to impose on others," she said. "We need to take the first step, rather than wait to be asked. Offering to help isn't enough. Just go ahead and take over a casserole or show up with the snow blower."
Operation Military Kids was piloted in five states, including Iowa, in early 2004. Now selected parts of the program will be replicated in all 50 states, Gleason said. It's part of a USDA/Army Youth Development Project that provides financial support for the program.
Gleason likes this program because it has all the ingredients required for positive youth development. Kids learn leadership and communication skills, they develop positive relationships with adults, they come together as a community, and they perform a valuable service.
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