Honoring Military Children: Communities In Schools Supports Resilience and Success
April marks the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and celebrate the unique challenges and strengths of children in military families. These young individuals often experience frequent relocations, parental deployments, and the uncertainty that comes with military life. Despite these obstacles, they demonstrate remarkable resilience, adaptability, and courage.
One organization dedicated to supporting these children is Communities In Schools (CIS), a nonprofit committed to ensuring that all students—especially those facing adversity—have the resources and support they need to thrive academically and personally. CIS works within schools to provide mentorship, counseling, and essential services to students, including military children who may struggle with transitions and emotional challenges.
Military children move an average of six to nine times during their school years, often leaving behind friends, teachers, and familiar environments. This constant change can lead to academic disruptions, social isolation, and emotional stress. Additionally, the absence of a deployed parent can create feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.
Recognizing these challenges, CIS steps in to provide stability and support. Through partnerships with schools, CIS ensures that military children have access to academic assistance, mental health resources, and peer connections that help them navigate the complexities of military life.
CIS works closely with educators and community leaders to create tailored programs for military children. Some of their initiatives include:
- Mentorship Programs: Pairing students with caring adults who provide guidance and encouragement.
- Counseling Services: Offering emotional support to help children cope with stress and transitions.
- Academic Assistance: Providing tutoring and resources to ensure students stay on track despite frequent moves.
- Community Engagement: Organizing events that foster connections between military families and local communities.
During the Month of the Military Child, CIS amplifies its efforts by hosting Purple Up! events, where students and staff wear purple to show solidarity with military children. Schools also organize activities such as story-sharing sessions, art projects, and appreciation ceremonies to highlight the contributions of military families.
As military children continue to navigate the challenges of their unique lifestyle, organizations like CIS remain dedicated to ensuring they receive the recognition, resources, and encouragement they deserve. By fostering a supportive environment, CIS helps military children build resilience, succeed academically, and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams.
This April, as communities across the country honor military children, CIS stands as a beacon of hope—ensuring that no child, regardless of their circumstances, is left behind.
This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.tvc.texas.gov.
Voice of Texas Veterans with Julia Conner
“The Voice of Texas Veterans” is a public information radio program produced by the Texas Veterans Commission which is heard every Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm on KNCT.
The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) was established by the Texas Legislature to provide critical financial support to veterans and their families across the state. The fund consists of money allocated under various Texas laws and is used to award reimbursement grants to organizations that serve veterans’ needs.
Grant applications go through a competitive selection process, where the FVA Advisory Committee reviews requests and recommends recipients to the Texas Veterans Commission. Final award decisions are made by the Commission, and grants are administered by FVA staff. Since 2009, the Fund has distributed over $313 million through more than 1,400 reimbursement grants, helping ensure Texas veterans receive essential services and support.
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