U. S. Virgin Islands National Guard Youth Program ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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1 U. S. Virgin Islands National Guard Youth Program ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Teaching kids to incorporate fun with learning is a discipline in itself. (Parent Quote)

2 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS ANNUAL REPORT 2012 MISSION TO PROMOTE AND SUSTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND RESILIENCE OF NG CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY PROVIDING SECURE, TIMELY, FLEXIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, ACADEMIC, AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING OF EACH MILITARY CHILD. GOALS STRIVE TO EDUCATE FAMILIES, BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING VIRGIN ISLANDS ARMY/AIR NATIONAL GUARD CHILDREN AND YOUTH DURING PERIODS OF MILITARY DUTY AND DEPLOYMENT. DEVELOP AND EXPAND CONTACT AND COMMUNICTION AMONG MILITARY YOUTHS AND THEIR DEPLOYED FAMILY MEMBERS. PROMOTE QUALITY CHILDCARE SERVICES TO MILITARY FAMILIES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSSIBLE, AND ACCREDITED BASED ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GUIDELINES. EDUCATE COUNSELORS/TEACHERS OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY MILITARY YOUTHS. AS A MILITARY SCHOOL LIAISON, ENSURES COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR AND ARE MAKING THE RIGHT REFERRALS FOR MILITARY YOUTH. VOLUNTEERS APPROXIMATELY 200 ADULT VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED 23 YOUTH PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, MAJOR GENERAL RENALDO RIVERA RECOGNIZED 3 YOUTH PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS, AT THE TAG FAMILY READINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY, FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE RENDERED DURING FISCAL YEAR YOUTH AND TEENS SERVED AN ESTIMATED THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY (350) ARMY/AIR NATIONAL GUARD TEEN AND YOUTH BENEFITED FROM 23 ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THE YOUTH PROGRAM DIVISION. Members of the Senior Leadership visits the St. Croix Youth Leadership Camp in June 2012 at the Howard Wall Boy Scout Camp.

3 2012 HIGHLIGHTS 11 Youth Café Organizational Meetings were held throughout the U.S Virgin Islands. 104 campers attended St. Croix Youth Leadership Camp, June 25-30, Campers attended the St. Thomas Youth Leadership Camp, August Children and Youth throughout the U.S Virgin Islands participated in the Guard Youth Team Building (GYTB) Workshop held on the island of St. Thomas, August 24-26, The President of the Family Program Youth Group participated in a Martin Luther King (MLK) Radio broadcast recognizing his accomplishments. 4 Teens were guests on WRRA Radio Program known as Strictly For Teens in which current issues addressing teenage problems were the paramount topics. 150 Army/Air National Guard personnel and 23 youths attending the 4-H Club for Military Youth program were part of MOMC Purple Up Campaign. Be All You Can Be Practice Makes Perfect U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS LEADERSHIP CAMP

4 171 Campers attended this summer s Youth Leadership Camp held in June on St. Croix and in August on St. Thomas. An over-night component was included as part of both camps in which teenagers between the ages of were allowed to sleep over during the 5-day duration of the camp. Teens camped out overnight in St. Thomas at the SFC Leonard B. Francis Armory and on St. Croix at the Howard M. Wall Boy Scout Camp. Campers participated in indoor workshops centered around themes on resiliency, self esteem, and conflict resolution. Outdoor activities involved environmental and nature hikes, bird watching, archery, and outdoor survival skills. Kids are the future, and need to be taught discipline. No one said it better than Bobby Knight when he stated, "DISCIPLINE: DOING WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, DOING IT AS WELL AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN, AND DOING IT THAT WAY ALL THE TIME." This year s Guard Youth Team Building (GYTB) Workshop was an annual event held at the Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa on the island of St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands. 109 children and youth attended this event from the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. All registrants were provided with an opportunity to acquire values and skills essential for today s development. The Virgin Islands were very fortunate to have acquired the services and professionalism of Project Y.E.S. staff who journeyed from North Carolina State University and other parts of the U.S mainland to make this event a success. Project Y.E.S. conducted lessons on Leadership, Resilience, Problem Solving, Anger Management, and Life Skills. The Boys & Girls Club of America also sent Regional Director of Asia, Mr. Eddy Brown, who is a native Virgin Islander, to address our youth on what it takes to become productive members of this global society.

5 U.S Virgin Islands NATIONAL GUARD & STATE PARTNERS The U.S Virgin Islands National Guard youth division has been acquiring national partnerships with state and local organizations. Fellowships have targeted private, civic, military, and educational institutions whose goals and objectives are to support military kids and its organization throughout the U.S Virgin Islands. Community Building Blocks 4-H Club for Military Kids was established in partnership with the Virgin Islands National Guard Family Program, Youth Division. Membership was open to 24 youth. This collaborated effort was made possible with the University of The Virgin Islands Extension Service in March of The Boys & Girls Club of America has awarded grants to families of military kids to attend its yearly program in Christiansted, on the island of St. Croix. Steps have been taken to reopen its facility in Frederiksted, with the help of retired National Guard Volunteers from the 652 nd Engineer Detachment, which will expand the enrollment of military kids who can benefit from its services.

6 Project Y.E.S. provided mentorship to 109 children and youth who attended the GYTB Seminar on St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council provided workshops at the St. Thomas Leadership camp. Topics of focus were Teen Dating/Sexual Assault, Good Touch /Bad Touch, Bullying, and Suicide Awareness. The Virgin Islands Department of Education provided services for an estimated 200 military kids enrolled in the private, public, or parochial school system throughout the U.S Virgin Islands. U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL GUARD ANNUAL REPORT 2012 FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING: MARVIN L. MATTHEW LEAD CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR 4031 LA GRANDE PRINCESSE, LOT 1B CHRISTIANSTED, U.S.V.I OFFICE: CELL: