Coast Guard
Jennifer Mullen
USCG District 1
I would work to bring access points of information to Coast Guard families and communicate ways to assist with bringing our Coastie Kids together to help them through missions, deployments and consistent changes.
Our children are astoundingly resilient, but helping them understand at their level what is happening would lift the load off the Spouse. Even as simple as worksheets or gathering with other dependents their age, can relieve the daily stress while the other parent is away! There are not many books or resources specific to the Coast Guard, and having children’s books to understand what is in front of them (with their parent’s boats and uniform in tow) would be one extra tool or three for the Spouse! Read more about Jennifer here!
Rebecca Brinkley
USCG District 17
My immediate, tangible goal, would be to develop a program that raises money for restaurant gift cards for families that are PCS’ing. It is so expensive to transfer, especially across the country (even though most costs are covered by the government), the food alone can put people into debt. If you have four kids and are taking a week to get to the next unit 4,000 miles away, the per diem isn’t going to cover food costs (at least not well-balanced and healthy meals). I hope to team up with major chain restaurants (not gas stations or places where you can buy things other than food), and start a campaign that lets people donate for gift cards. When families are getting ready to PCS, they can apply for these gift cards and hopefully have some assistance on their journey. It would be a great way for business and the military to show support for healthy eating habits and financial assistance during a very stressful time in a military family’s life.
In addition . . .
I want spouses to know that we make a bigger difference than they might believe. I am not referring to the difference they make at home or in their jobs but that they are changing the world. They are the truest of patriots because they not only support those defending our country but they keep the home front working. As MSOY I would hope to help military families fight for higher wages, more consistent career paths, mental health assistance and increase spousal direct contribution to units. It is important that we all feel needed and part of the big picture. I want to share with other spouses how to define their roles in their husbands or wife’s career or how to contribute to help their spouses career. Our country is amazing and it’s because of people like our military spouses. I want to listen and help those who need it any way I can. Read more about Rebecca here!
Erica Parra
USCG District 5
I want to see the military child “Buddy” program I launched at my son’s school adopted at all military connected schools. This program requires NO startup costs and only ONE volunteer to run it. The benefits of this program are impressive. With a military child “buddy” program student transition needs are met by: providing friendly peer contact, creating a positive environment for military families and encouraging 100% acceptance. New students are not the only ones that benefit. New parents often attribute the program for helping them make early and lasting connections to the community. Additionally, students acting as a “buddy” improve their confidence and communication skills, they get to see first hand the effects of community service and feel the satisfaction of helping others. Both children get to make a new friend that understands what being a military child is all about. Long term, the program plants the seed that bullying and social exclusion are wrong. As we all have seen, horrible things can happen if we do not plant 100% acceptance seeds early! Establishing a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students is the best way to prevent bullying in the school environment.
I have written a detailed 6 step program guide to help others start a “buddy” program in their school. If I was awarded the MSOY title I would use the title to broaden my reach and market this program nationwide. https://www.facebook.com/militarychildbuddyprogram/
Even if I do not win MSOY I am still working hard to get the buddy program guide information to military families. MOAA’s “Making it in the MilLife” blog will be publishing an article I wrote on the program in Feburary. I will be working with Blue Star Families, Ft Belvoir school liaisons and the Coast Guard “From the Homefront” blog writer to advocate for this program. I have already had a few people ask for the information after they saw my viedo on this site, so MSOY is already working! Read more about Erica here!
