Survey Results
Our Military Kids routinely conducts surveys of its grant recipients to determine the program’s effectiveness in helping military children and their families. The surveys also assess the psychological impact of a military parent’s deployment on the children of National Guard families, or the parent’s injury and resulting treatment. They also examine the effectiveness of the Our Military Kids grant program in alleviating deployment- and injury-related stress and anxiety.
For our deployed National Guard and Reserve survey, conducted in November 2012, we found most families live at least 50 miles away from a military installation, and they are unable to utilize support services available to those who live on or near a military installation. In addition, many children of deployed Service Members exhibited symptoms of stress that stem from the deployment. Most families report the Our Military Kids grant program is easy to use and participation in an extracurricular activity positively benefited their children.
For our severely injured survey, conducted in February 2013, we found that the vast majority of families have dealt with financial difficulties as a result of the injury. Nearly all would be unable to afford to enroll their children in activities without the support provided by a grant from Our Military Kids. Nearly 9 out of 10 children deal with increased stress when a parent is recovering from injury, and every single respondent said that some or all of their child’s psychological symptoms were positively impacted by the grant.
The survey shows that participation in extracurricular activities helps decrease stress and related psychological symptoms in children, allowing them to focus on something positive, thereby distracting them from a parent’s absence or injury.
TO READ THE FULL SURVEY REPORT FOR THE DEPLOYED PROGRAM, CLICK HERE.
TO READ THE FULL SURVEY REPORT FOR THE SEVERELY INJURED PROGRAM, CLICK HERE.
Testimonials
- “There is no way to adequately express how grateful we were to have received the Our Military Kids grant for both of our children. This was my husband’s third tour in the Middle East, and this one hit the kids pretty hard. Having those extra activities really helped keep their minds and bodies occupied during a long deployment. I am not working right now due to a layoff, so there is no question that we would not have been able to afford these activities without the grant.”
- “My children are in school in a non-military town, and to see all of the activities happening with fathers and dads was very depressing, for my boys especially. Many of the fathers are coaches and are available to watch their kids play in sports. I am very lucky to have received this grant money, because without it, only two children would have been able to participate in activities due to finances.”
- “This program has really made a difference in my children’s lives. They cry consistently everyday for their daddy, and when you can replace some of these tears with positive activities to enlighten their daily lives, that makes a tremendous difference and helps us to be able to carry on strongly. If this program wasn’t in place, some of my kids’ activities would have to be cut out because I could not afford it.”
- “This grant provided our family some needed relief in our budget. The entire family has benefited from Our Military Kids. Our children were so excited when they received their packets. The activity my children take, martial arts, has benefited their overall health, physically and emotionally. They are not worrying about daddy’s missing legs any more, and are learning how to protect themselves. Our Military Kids has truly been a blessing to us.”
- “Our Military Kids has helped by motivating me to get out of my home and watch my children perform in their talent. The smile and happiness my children have demonstrated while performing is priceless. Thank you for helping give me back the feeling of joy and happiness.”
To read more testimonials, see the “Qualitative Data” sections of the survey reports.
