From deployments to new schools, military children are faced with unique challenges that ordinary youth their age never experience. Their ability to adapt to present and future changes deserves our respect and admiration.
In an effort to recognize the hard work and to applaud the courage of military children, April is deemed the Month of the Military Child. It is a time to honor military youth for the important role they play in contributing to the strength of the military family. This is especially important to the American Red Cross because of our commitment to help members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service.
For over 130 years, the American Red Cross has provided comfort and support to members of the United States military, veterans and their families — and we continue that legacy today. Serving 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Red Cross is supporting our military during times of crisis and providing respite and a touch of home while overseas.
The American Red Cross is committed to preparing family members to deal with the challenges faced while their loved one is serving away from home and upon their return.
The Coping with Deployment course provides information on how to strengthen a families’ ability to respond to the challenges they may encounter throughout an extended deployment cycle. And it helps when military families are separated due to remote assignments and trainings.
Reconnection Workshops, focus on individual/small group discussions on topics designed to enhance positive reconnections among family members and the successful re-engagement of the service member in civilian life. Current topic areas include: managing anger, supporting children, building communication, reconnecting with others, and recognizing depression. The trainings are for the spouses, parents, older children, siblings and significant others of service members, especially those not near a military installation. The workshops are free and available to service members and veterans.
When a military family experiences a crisis, the American Red Cross is there to help. If you have an emergency in your family and need immediate assistance, contact the Red Cross at 877-272-7337 anytime of the day or night. If at an overseas installation or a deployed location, contact your local Red Cross staff.
Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families during a crisis, access to financial assistance, as well as information and referral services. This is done through our emergency communication center and offices around the world.
When family back home experience an emergency, most often the death or serious illness of a family member, the Red Cross verifies the emergency information and sends a message to the military members command. The command then notifies the military member of the emergency, and works directly with the military member regarding the authorization of emergency leave.
You can file a request for an emergency message by calling 877-272-7337, or you can make the request online here.
The American Red Cross works in partnership with the military aid societies to ensure military members and their families have access to emergency funds 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from wherever they are located. The Red Cross can also connect families with other potential financial resources. Contact the Red Cross at 877-272-7337 for assistance.
Our worldwide network of offices can assist you with information and referrals to national and local resources. The American Red Cross is a part of local communities and can identify where resources are available. For assistance, contact your local Red Cross.
When disaster strikes, the Red Cross is there, responding to emergencies, helping military families who have lost their homes. Contact the Red Cross at 877-272-7337 for assistance.