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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2007 No. 07-154 KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD AND BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS PARTNER TO HELP
YOUTH Having a father or mother deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan can be challenging
for families, especially for little boys and girls who don't understand
why mom or dad isn't home. To help sons and daughters through this time,
the Kansas National Guard Family Program Office is partnering with Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka, Inc. The new program called "Guard Bigs and Guard Littles" will
team up sons and daughters whose parents have deployed with Guard members.
Children from the age of six to seventeen are eligible to participate. "By pairing up children with a Guard member, the child will be able
to ask questions about what his or her dad or mom is experiencing, and
at the same time, share concerns like he or she might with an older sibling,"
said Lt. Col. Scott Henry, Workforce Support Chief, Kansas National Guard.
"We believe the experience has the potential to alleviate a lot of
the stress for the children involved." Kansas is one of the first states in the country to participate in the
program. Military members, spouses, and children of the Kansas National
Guard are invited to participate. Initially, the program will only be
offered in Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson and Osage Counties and the city
of Manhattan. There will be a kick off ceremony on Friday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 pm -
8:00 pm. at Nickell Armory, 2800 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka. During the event,
activities will be available for youth to participate, in including a
contest with the Kansas Koyotes Football Team. Guard Bigs and Guard Littles is also available to the youth of the Kansas
National Guard whose parents are preparing to deploy or who have returned
from deployment. This commitment lasts for one year or the length of the
deployment for all the participants. The program's mission is to help children reach their potential through
professionally supported one-to-one relationships. The program's vision
is to achieve successful mentoring relationships for all children who
need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools,
and stronger communities for all. -30- |
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