Colorado National Guard Child & Youth Program Annual Report 2017
COLORADO MISSION STATEMENT To bridge Colorado National Guard youth developmental needs and interests through innovative programming and to promote resiliency and readiness. VISION STATEMENT To become the first choice among service members when they are seeking youth programming for ages 6 to 18. To be a presence throughout the state where service members reside by duplicating the youth program operation by a process of recruiting, training and empowering volunteers to execute programming in their respective residential areas. PROGRAM GOALS EDUCATION: To promote growth through learning and provide educational opportunities to NG youth GIVE: Provide information and resources regarding family assistance, youth development and community support to military youth and their families OUTREACH: Collaborate with schools and community partners to recognize and address the unique needs of National Guard child, youth and families BUILD: Promote positive character traits while delivering programs that teach resiliency and self-confidence skills SUPPORT: To create a sense of belonging for NG youth through a diverse team of volunteers that help to foster a multicultural environment 6 Yellow Ribbon Events 14 Teen Council Events and Meetings 7 Partnered Community Organization Events 2 Week-long Summer Day Camps 4 Special Summer Events for Ages 6-8 3 Overnight Residential Camps 1 Teen Resiliency Training Retreat Weekend 3 Marketing Outreach at National Guard PHAs 1 Strong Bongs Event with 7 Habits of highly Effective Teens and Kids 1 Region 8 Symposium in North Dakota 2 State Teen Panel Trainings 1 Veterans s Day Event at Vasser Elementary School for 250 students 3 Community Resource Meetings 3 Outreach initiatives to Active Army & Air Force Installations
Program Volunteers For the first time since the Youth Program s inception, the state of Colorado sent a long time volunteer to the American Camping Association's National Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This volunteer has been part of our program for seven years and will now be taking on a job as the Lead Activities Programmer at camp. The conference expanded his knowledge base of youth programming, interaction and administration. This one example is the cyclical give and take for those incredible folks who selflessly give their time and talents to serve our military s youth and then reap the benefits at some point. Even better, when asked why they do it, they commonly say, I just enjoy doing something to help benefit the youth. Our program volunteers are comprised of both civilians and uniformed service members and without them, it would not be possible to deliver the over 35 high quality youth events that we offer each year. A special thanks to all of you! Best Practices / New Initiatives for 2017 The Stock Market Experience: Colorado s Youth Program offered a 10 week course that utilized an online interactive stock market software platform that allowed youth to invest $100k of fake money into stocks, bonds and other types of investments. The money is fake but the software utilizes realtime stock market data to make the experience as real-world as it gets. Financial advisors, group discussion and quizzes were incorporated to further enhance the youth s financial intellect. Seven teens participated in the pilot program and we offer this very beneficial program again in 2018. All About Autos: This was a comprehensive auto education program that was broken down into 3 parts over 3 weeks. Part 1 was the classroom setting where teens learned about insurance, distracted driving, effects of drugs and alcohol and more. Part 2 was hands on auto work at a local garage under the supervision of licensed mechanics and part three was a trip to a raceway where youth learned about RC cars, how to operate and then finally race them on a designated track.
Youth Participation Volunteer Participation 6-12 yrs. 13-18 yrs. Number of Adults 81 Army Guard 798 285 Hours Worked 1148 Army Active 0 0 Current Specified 6 Air Guard 48 20 Air Active 0 0 Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. -Author Unknown Total Youth 846 305 Total Adults 1435 Army 115 Air Youth Advisory Council The 2017 Colorado National Guard State Youth Advisory Council (CONG YAC) is made up of ten teenagers ranging in age from 13-18 from around the state. The CONG YAC was highly involved this year participating and volunteering in multiple youth program events, including: two Santa Shops (in Denver and CO Springs) that provided holiday resources for over 225 military families combined, three Yellow Ribbon weekends, the Month of the Military Child Celebration for 125 youth attendees and the Region 8 Youth Symposium in North Dakota. In total, the CONG YAC logged 122 volunteer service hours for 2017 which also included planning meetings and outreach. One of the new initiatives for the 2017 term was a service learning project at a local non-profit organization entitled, Friends of Horses, established to care for abandoned animals that would otherwise be euthanized. The teens graciously provided over four hours of cleaning and care services here for a wonderful cause. Youth who join the YAC benefit greatly through direct peer group collaboration, communication and coordination. They also receive public speaking skills, 12 hours of Emerging Leader s Training at the start of each annual term (June to June), decision making opportunities and a sense of pride for giving back to the military and communities in which they live.
Teen Resiliency Training The objective of the Teen Resiliency training program is to help teens develop the mental, emotional and behavioral ability to bounce back from stressful or adverse life circumstances. Ultimately, our aim is to: encourage young people to adapt to change, develop an optimistic yet realistic outlook on life and grow from every experience they may encounter. Both state youth coordinators are Master Resiliency Trained instructors who taught a total of 30 teens through one condensed 2-hour workshop and another full 8 hour curriculum at our annual weekend Teen Resiliency Retreat in Wyoming. This full training covered all 14 resiliency skills and the 6 competencies. Completion of Teen Resiliency Training helps to: Develop and increase coping skills Build stronger relationships through improved communication Increase self-awareness and self control Plan the steps to achieve their goals Testimonial Statements The youth program stands in the gap for my children when their father is deployed. The adult leadership truly cares about the growth and development of my kids, and they have a strong desire to make their lives better and help them become great leaders. Anytime the youth office offers events for our kids, mine are usually the first in line. Thank you for all you do for us. Deanna Griffiths, Guard Spouse & Parent, Centennial, CO My daughter attended the Teen Resiliency Retreat, which she was a little hesitant to do. When she returned, she talked about how much she enjoyed it. This was a big deal for her because it brought her out of her comfort zone; exactly what she needed. The support and encouragement she received from everyone there was amazing. Stacey Sorsdal, JFHQ COARNG, Centennial, CO I ve met a lot of great people this past year, and have learned a lot about leadership and hope to keep growing this upcoming year. Kylie Shriver, YAC Member, Denver, CO
Community Outreach/ Partnerships For More Information, Please Contact: Lance Ellis, LCYPC /CONGYouthProgram 12200 Briarwood Avenue, Ste. 160 Centennial, CO 80112 Lance.k.ellis2.ctr@mail.mil 303-524-5614 Kymberly Wheeler, CYPC 9510 Voyager Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Text messaging service: Text 81010 @allstatey Www.congfamilyreadiness.net Kymberly.d.wheeler.ctr@mail.mil 303-549-6003