Month of the Military Child: TMF Honors Resilience and Strength of Military Children
Established by the Department of Defense in 1986, April is Month of the Military Child, which celebrates the more than 1.6 million children who have at least one parent currently serving in uniform. These children face a range of challenges, from frequent moving to long separations from family members, to feeling disconnected from peers outside the military culture. They’re often at higher risk of losing a parent due to deployment, trauma or service-related accidents.
TMF recognizes the unique needs of children of military families and intentionally provides support and resources in a number of ways. Through its hallmark program, Character Does Matter (CDM) powered by Under Armour Freedom, Veteran Mentors empower youth to lean into their unique character strengths in their families, schools and communities. To date, more than 750,000 students have learned from our nation’s heroes what it means to lead with character.
In partnership with Hunt Military Communities, TMF is bringing CDM into Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, with the goal of enabling even more veterans to connect with military children—many of whom tend to struggle with mental health and behavioral issues*—how to identify their own character strengths and use them to become more confident leaders.
TMF also provides unique and much-needed support for military children who have lost a family member. The annual Teen Expedition to Montana gives young people grieving a parent or sibling an opportunity to connect with others who are enduring a similar loss. Throughout a week of team-building activities, service projects and leadership development, the emphasis is on healing through connection and helping others in need. These Expeditions can also be an entry to further TMF engagement for surviving youth who may be struggling with feelings of displacement and loss of community.
During April, and all year long, TMF’s unique community rooted in resilience and honoring loved ones through service offers every military child a place to call home.
