by Jessica L. Klem
MHS Profles
Saluting America’s Smallest Heroes
Little hug, big support:
Army Cpt. Mike Ford hugs goodbye to daughter Hannah on the day he letor deployment. Hannah, showing support or her ather, is dressed in red,white and blue and carriesan American fag. Photo by Mistie Ford.
by Jessica L. Klem
MHS Profles
Trinity Deprez has attended threeTumblebears classes and, soar, has mastered a somersault.Thanks to a grant made possibleby the nonproft Our Military Kids,Trinity has a paid enrollment in agymnastics class and the chance tomaster more tumbles and turns.“She knows what has made thispossible,” says Trinity’s mother, AmyDeprez. “She tells kids: ‘My dad’s job is to help people.’ Since she’sonly three, I can’t really explain to herthe specifcs, but she understandsthe importance o his job,” shesays o her husband, Army NationalGuard Cpl. Christopher Deprez.Our Military Kids awards grants tomilitary children who have either aNational Guard or Reserve parentdeployed overseas, or who have aparent who has been severely injured.Children receive grants o up to $500to cover six months o sports, fnearts or academic programs.“Kids can sign up or just aboutanything,” says Our Military Kidsspecial programs director, MaryCarolyn Voght. “We even had aamily in Oklahoma who used themoney to buy livestock or the kidsto use in a 4-H project.”According to the Departmento Deense, o the more than2 million children in the U.S.with a parent in the military, 11percent have a parent who iscurrently deployed, leaving manyamilies with the challenge o raising children in a single-parenthousehold. Our Military Kidsis one o many organizationsproviding opportunities or theseamilies. Whether an organizationis developing an initiative on itsown or working in tandem withothers, the same goal remains:protect the well-being o themilitary child.
DoD Partners for Kids
The Ofce o the Deputy UnderSecretary o Deense (MilitaryCommunity and Family Policy) leadsDepartment o Deense eortsin military amily and children’sservices. MC&FP is directlyresponsible or providing amilysupport policies and programs,creating education policy, andestablishing programs or Morale,Welare and Recreation. To do this,it partners and coordinates withnon-governmental organizationslike the American Red Cross,Armed Services YMCA, and theUnited Service Organizations to
Trinity tells kids: ‘My dad’s job is tohelp people.’ Since she’s only three, Ican’t explain specifcs, but she understands the importance o his job.
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MHS Profiles: Saluting America's Smallest Heroes
This month we profile the people and programs within the Department of Defense dedicated to the families and children of those who serve. The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Military Family and Community Policy…
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