Special Projects

Massachusetts Operation Military Kids

When National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines Active or Reserve or Coast Guard service members living in civilian communities are mobilized, their children face a wide variety of experiences and challenges. Their usual support systems may no longer be adequate. They need to connect with other youth in similar situations. They need friends and adults who can empathize and can help them cope. In Massachusetts, that help comes from Massachusetts Operation Military Kids! Nationally, Operation Military Kids (OMK) supports children of military service members before, during and after deployment by building statewide networks that educate citizens on the impact of deployment on communities, families and youth, as well as provide educational, recreational and social programs for children of military families. Funded by the Army Child and Youth Services and coordinated by the University of Massachusetts Extension 4-H Program as part of UMass Outreach, Massachusetts OMK leads a statewide team of over 20 community partners.

Massachusetts OMK provides:

Ready, Set, Go! Workshops (RSG)

These workshops are led by trained facilitators and designed for youth workers, educators, counselors and community members, to offer insight into military culture, the deployment cycle and ways to best provide for, understand the needs of, and support military children and their families. Scheduling is based on request and there is no cost.

Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK)

An educational program designed by and for teens – both military and civilian – to raise the awareness of issues facing military families, SOMK trains teens in leadership, research, organization, technology, and public speaking skills. SOMK participants become members of speakers' bureaus and present posters, lectures, public service announcements, videos, and other materials to share their knowledge and experiences with others in the community.

Hero Packs

These are backpacks for youth who have deployed military parents. Along with a disposable camera, stationery, and other small gifts, each pack contains a personal letter from a young person to the military child, thanking him or her for being a “hero, too.” Service organizations, community and youth groups are invited to create Hero Packs. Donations are welcome from all.

Regional OMK Teams

These teams are located throughout the Commonwealth, support young people in military families and are always welcoming to new members.

The Mobile Technology Lab (MTL)

This set of laptops, printers, cameras and supplies in portable containers is transported to military family events by volunteers. Its purpose is to allow children of military families to create and print cards, pictures, etc. to send to their deployed loved ones.

Gretchen May
UMass Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development Program
University of Masachusetts Amherst
101 University Drive
Amherst MA 01002
413-577-0332
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