The daily challenges faced by military children make them resilient. They withstand deployments, moves, and traveling the world. Their experience is unique, and should be appreciated by, and reflected in, the support they receive. Here are three completely free programs which recognize this unique experience, and offer tools to help keep military children strong—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The Boys and Girls Club of America
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America has partnered with the U.S. Armed Forces and military-serving organizations to support military-connected youth on and off installation since 1991. There is a Boys & Girls Club or BGCA-affiliated Youth Center in all 50 states and in 16 countries around the world, providing a safe environment to help military children succeed. All military installation Youth Centers are affiliated with BGCA, even overseas.
Membership pricing varies by location, but is usually something around $100 per week. For children of National Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty families who do not have access to a military Youth Center, the membership fee is waved.
Some programs put on by the BGCA include:
- Triple Play
A comprehensive health and wellness program which strives to improve overall health of club members by increasing daily physical activity and teaching them about good nutrition and healthy relationships - Career Launch
Prepares teens for the world of careers and work by learning how to make good educational decisions and exploring possible vocations. - Passport to Manhood
Teaches responsibility to boys aged 11 to 14 with sessions focusing on the aspect of character and manhood via interactive activities. - SMART Girls
Provides health, fitness, prevention, education, and self-esteem enhancement for girls aged 8-17.
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is a national nonprofit aiming to help improve the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders through compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. The website features collections of articles on concerns like anxiety, bullying, confidence and self-esteem, drugs and alcohol, sexuality, and more. The Child Mind Institute is committed to supporting troops and their families by addressing their unique needs via their clinical care and parent resources.
Although military children are incredibly resilient, they go through some very stressful experiences that can lead to emotional and behavioral difficulties, like:
- Parent deployment
- Moving to new places and schools
- Exposure to war and violence
- Injury and bereavement
The Child Mind Institute recognizes these challenges, and offers assistance to military families in the form of:
- Helping military members and their spouses thrive as parents
- Offering resources that address issues specific to military life, like preparing for and coping with deployment
- Giving visibility to the unique challenges the military family faces by bringing their experiences to the attention of the general public
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