Mentoring Youth

Fifty-four years before the American Legion's founding, President Lincoln coined a phrase that would become a basic tenet for The American Legion. More than a slogan, more than a good idea, the words, "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, for his widow and his orphan," encapsulate the essence of The American Legion's work on behalf of America's children. American Legion posts worldwide mentor young people; they counsel, guide, teach and assist with their daily lives. But these same posts also, in a very large way, are advocates for the children of America. Not just veteran's children, but all children.

Although today's legal system no longer recognizes the term "orphan," there are children who, because of circumstances beyond their control, need care and protection that their parents or guardians are unable to provide. There are collective concerns for children, as well, that need attention - that need advocacy. Some children require specialized care, some lack the basic needs in health care, others need the mentoring that aids in wholesome development.

The American Legion learned long ago that our commitment to veteran's children might best be fulfilled by turning attention to all of America's children. While it would be difficult to seek out and find the individual child of a veteran, if we focused on the problems of children in general then we, surely, could reach the veteran's child. That philosophy spawned many of the programs that The American Legion has today. You might call it "child welfare work." We call it "American Legion Children & Youth Programs," And here a few of our more prominent ones.

• The Family Support Network of The American Legion recognizes that families of deployed and activated military personnel face special hardships. But, because of help available through American Legion Posts, they don't have to shoulder the burden alone. Contact via the National Headquarters of The American Legion can put a Post of the Organization in touch with the family and provide assistance that can range from minor household chores and repairs to assuring the family keeps their home.
   
• Temporary Financial Assistance is a landmark program of The American Legion that dates to post-World War I. Established in 1925, TFA is a form of direct aid to children, and is a forerunner of what we know today as AFDC [Aid to Families with Dependent Children]. In this program a Post of The American Legion can call upon the National Organization for cash assistance to help maintain the basic needs of veterans' children when it has been determined by investigation that no other sources exist or those that may have helped are depleted. Veterans do not have to be a member of The American Legion to be eligible for assistance, but they must have honorable military service during those periods established for eligibility in The American Legion, and there must be children in the home under 18 years of age.
   
• Operation Military Kids is a cooperative program between the American Legion and the Federal Department of Agriculture. Its focus is on children of National Guard and Reserve parents who become mobilized. In this situation, their children suddenly have unique needs for special support and services. O:MK exists to garner community resources to provide the needed support and to highlight the challenges these children face.
   
• Child Safety is everyone's business and The American Legion has made that its own. Prevention through education remains the best way to keep children safe. To promote child safety The American Legion publishes numerous brochures designed to educate children and parents in areas of drug abuse prevention, suicide prevention, Halloween safety, fireworks safety and the issue of missing children. These matters, and many others are addressed in printed and electronic materials available to posts of The American Legion for distribution within the communities they serve.

The family is the cornerstone of American society. However, modern society has placed demands on the family that didn't exist in years past, demands that can deteriorate family strength and unity. For more than 85 years The American Legion at all levels has focused their time, talents, and moneys on advocating for America's children, mentoring them as they grow to be strong, healthy adults.