OCR Text |
Show IStep 11 1 May 13, 1999 .. ... ., froiundtable expressed: hiring the right enc people to run youth programs, ibei Correy Hudson of Fort Benning, 3ugGa., said every base should have a pro teen council that helps leaders develop rdi? nrograms and hire capable program till Sectors. But Libby Lefebvre of Marine She and the other leaders lauded the roundtable participants and youth "It gives me a real department-wide- . confidence in our future," she said. The DoD family policy office will olvtiorps Base Quantico, Va., said a wouldn't make any difference unless adults listen to what their teen-ager- s Internet at http:dticaw.dtic.milmil-chil- d or from the National Clear- I i r'' r- - ' r . - i oversee future activities under the coun-outic- il saying. She noted reports that school cials ignored warnings from other stu-- t dents before the disaster at Columbine win;1 are plan. Program details can be found on the inghouse for the Military Child Development Program at (800) 237-304- 0. offi-?ioi- ij )pini ani h set High. level "If they'd listened, maybe the tragedy :dso; could have been avoided," she said. "Sometimes we know what we're talk-lcen- W about." it vit 7 thJ VWe are listening," Bailey 4 responded. Information also is available from the Military Family Resource Center, on the Web at http:mfrc.calib.com, 3 or or by telephone at (703) or by writing: Military DSN Resource Center, 4040 N. FairFamily fax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA Photo by Capt. Rick Boone 696-905- 426-905- 3, 22203-163- 5. School violence, world conflict, political differences and other concerns are causing n one "Best Friends" participants learn about beekeeping from the Ogden Nature Center, of several activities the program offers. Rflntoromig' 'Best Friends' offers solutions Editor's note: Capt. Rick Boone looked for a mentoring opportunity and found it He's worked with an Ogden with the "Best Friends" program for about ld. a year, spending 6-- 8 hours a month helping youth. He was referred to the pro- gram through the HillAFB Family Support Center. by Capt. Rick Boone to Aid )Jf) re-evalu- ate their priorities Ogden Software Development Activity Childhood can be a confusing and difficult time. It's especially difficult if you don't have a positive role model in your life. As a child I had my parents, an older brother, and an older sister as role models. I could look to them for guidance and support If I had problems or needed some direction, they were there for me. My mother taught me to be caring and my father taught me discipline and patience. My brother was fosmy sports mentor, and my sister tered my sense ofhumor. Unfortunately, many children grow up today without the benefit of having parental or sibling role models. In many cases, parents have to work excessive hours and simply don't have the time to spend with their children. sibYoungsters who don't have older homes, lings, or live in single-pareor male a may lack either significant female role model. That's where you can make a difference. The "Best Friends" Program, sponsored by the Ogden Family Support Center, matches adult mentors with children between the ages They currently have many boys and girls who need role open-minde- d; nt 7-1- 3. I models in their lives. SinceIvolunteeredforme"BestFriends" program last summer, I've spent many enjoyable hours with my "Best Friend," Mario. He just turned 11 years old and has tons of energy and a million questions. We usually spend a couple of hours together every other weekend doing various activities. Sometimes we play sports, sometimes we go hiking, and sometimes we just hang out and talk. The experience has been uplifting for both of us. You can provide what so many young people need but rarely get. By volunteering to be a mentor, you can fill the void many of these children experience. You only need to give a little of your time poseach month to make a Mentorlife. itive difference in a child's ing a child can be tremendously valuable for them and equally rewarding for you. "Best Friends" pairs men with boys and women with girls. They try to match you with a child who has similar interests and hobbies. This enables you to find activities that both you and the child will enjoy. They'll also help you get acquainted with your new "Best Friend" and provide ideas on things you can do together. In addition, the program often has organized group activities with all the mentors and children. These activities range from pizza parties and soft-balong-lastin- g, ll games to Ogden Nature Center hikes and mountain camping trips. To find out more about the program from the vantage point of a participant, To become a mencall me at Ext tor or volunteer for the "Best Friends" program, call Ginger Paxman at the Ogden Family Support Center, 393-311- 3. tomorrow? for of sense am a hope nocencc lings tn tosoem mistic outlook for the future. The problem with this is tiiat COMMENTARY mi o,mnc;nrvmvarriva1 : nighschoolsmdentsrormepasLxjrwo""v the muck of many issues here at Hill. I've waded through htheseyoungrople-ru- nn isurethi atcan itatorsi Kids who are use, attempted suicide. They are good lads one intelligent and have plenty of talent and abilityBut new propels them into each topi Nation of optimism that m store believing that the day holds something good V into tconS is not something you onriuote do aa them. But hope I'm convinced sonwhosespirit-orsoul-isdevoidofhopeeve- that the problem is a heart issue.Apa-rntoaUy Kteoutmatdesp efcesympWnsofmehope butitLn cation" ur S tll deathorAoughtsofdandawfetom to normal activities, due to edon'tseethesymptoms. Part is !ndsenioopefortomorrow?Firstwemustensurewehaveanopti or downloaded optimism can't be bought at the store future the outlookfor requires from the Internet Ahopeful third in this about more my of heart inward an change suggestion. we Second, we return to family values. By that I mean We begin, as parents, making our children our top priority. to make them the top priority with our time. We commit We spend our doing whatever it takes to regaining family. time with one another, getting to know each other, loving each other. It may mean shutting off the television so we can look at and listen to one another. Our children don't substitute for ourreally want all the stuff we give them as a selves, although they eventually settle for it What they with us, interreally long for is us. They want to spend time doesn't just hapacting with us, becoming like us. Family to make it the have We it make to happen. pen. We have top priority. as a sociFinally, we need to cultivate a spiritual life. We, our "social" lives ety, have virtually eliminated God from and eradicating God has left us devoid of hope. A belief in one greater than ourselves, who has created this place on which we live and all the things we see, hear, feel and touch, who cares dearly for His creation, brings us hope for tomor row Itis the belief that someone greater than us, is, infect, in control of all that is, even the events that seem to defy an explanation. 1 How do wecultivatethe spiritual side of our beings.'' think the startingplace is in church; communities of people gathered together searching for answers to life's questions. Most churches offer programs for all ages that address the issues your family may be facing. The Base Chapel offers a full program designed to provide your family with a side of their hope for tomorrow as they develop the spiritual a in as family on Sunlives. What better place could you be day than finding hope for tomorrow, together? for them As I look at the young people, I can't help but feel because ofthe world they are being raised in. From an external look, this society offers them no hope for tomorrow. But still, there IS hope. The answer is not to conform on the outside, but to be transformed on the inside. a new Hope begins in the heart. It begins by gaining perspective on life, by seeing life from God's vantage point. I have seen some of the kids that have come to the Youth lives in Group transformed. I have seen the change their as they find a hope for tomorrow. It is an amazing thing to watch, indeed. And, it is well worth the investment of time, energy and money. |