-
DONATE TO THIS
ORGANIZATION -
1 person is interested
Military Personnel and Veterans: Mentor Children of the Fallen - Fort Hood, TX
ORGANIZATION: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Please visit the new page to apply.
-
DONATE TO THIS
ORGANIZATION -
1 person is interested
TAPS is seeking 100 current and former service members to mentor children of the fallen at TAPS Southern Regional Good Grief Camp in Fort Hood, TX.
THE SURVIVOR PROGRAM: At the Southern Regional Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp, surviving military family members from across the region come together and connect with others who have experienced similar losses. Children ages 4-18 create lasting friendships, learn coping skills, build resiliency, and honor their fallen service member. Group lessons combine team building, sharing, and playing to create an environment where children feel safe to explore their grief. Pairing each child with their own mentor is the key to our success.
MILITARY MENTOR ROLE: Current and former service members are eligible to volunteer for this incredible opportunity. Mentors are paired with their own mentee and work in small groups facilitated by an experienced leader. You may request the age group you’d like to work with. Children learn through active play, and the curriculum is designed to meet each child where they are in the grief process through engaging activities. The one-on-one time with your mentee gives them the companionship and support needed to feel comfortable connecting with peers and engaging in lessons.
Copy and paste this link to get a glimpse into the Military Mentor role: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seiad99SRcY&t=3s
Copy and paste this link to see a video showing the impact of Military Mentors and the Good Grief Camp on our youngest survivors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-0N54tmfi0T
MENTOR TRAINING: All mentors are required to attend a training session in person before companioning any TAPS child. Mentor training happens the morning before the camp begins and lasts over an hour. Military Mentors can expect to learn:
- An overview of TAPS mission and core services
- What grief is
- Basics of childhood bereavement
- How to work with grieving individuals - what to say/not say - how to companion
- Mentor responsibilities and guidelines
- Schedule of Good Grief Camp activities
MILITARY MENTOR SCHEDULE:
Friday, March 15
5:30pm - 9:30pm Good Grief Camp Kid Zone (OPTIONAL - dinner will be provided)
Saturday, March 16
6:30am - 8:15am Mentor training - MANDATORY FOR ALL MENTORS
8:30am - 7:00pm Good Grief Camp
Sunday, March 17
7:45am - 3:00pm Good Grief Camp
LOCATION: All activities are on Fort Hood at Duncan Elementary School, 52400 Muskogee St
UNIFORM: Casual comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. TAPS mentor t-shirts and a name tag are provided at training.
COST: All meals will be provided at no cost, and free parking is available on-site. There is limited lodging available Friday - Saturday nights to those who are travelling 40+ miles from the seminar.
HOW TO REGISTER:
- Go to https://www.taps.org/militarymentor and complete the registration
- Immediately log back into your new account and complete the background check release
- You’ll receive an email when background check is completed, and THEN you can sign-up for the Southern Regional Good Grief Camp
Please contact MENTORS@TAPS.ORG or 571-385-2565 with any questions about this volunteer opportunity.
About TAPS: The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 85,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
1 More opportunity with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
2 ReviewsOpportunities
About Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Location:
3033 Wilson Blvd, Third Floor, Arlington, VA 22201, US
Mission Statement
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. TAPS has assisted more than 100,000 surviving families, casualty officers and caregivers. If you are grieving the loss of a fallen service member, or if you know someone who can use our support, the TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800-959-TAPS (8277). If our mission to care for the families of America’s fallen heroes speaks to you as well, we welcome you to connect with us about giving, volunteering, professional engagement or careers.
Description
OUR WORK
TAPS provides a variety of programs to survivors nation and worldwide. Our National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp has been held annually in Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend since 1994. TAPS also conducts regional survivor seminars with adult and youth programs at locations across the country as well as retreats and expeditions around the world. Staff connects surviving family members to counseling in their community and helps navigate benefits and resources.
PEER SUPPORT FOR BEREAVED SURVIVORS
TAPS was founded on the principles of best practices in peer-based emotional support for bereaved survivors. Today, TAPS provides care to over 100,000 grieving military family members using these best practices. Peer support gives those who have had a unique experience or who are facing a personal challenge the framework to connect with others who share that experience or challenge. Peer support happens in individual and group settings. By the simple act of knowing they are not alone in their experience and realizing that other have overcome similar challenges, peers find validation, normalization, and ultimately, a sense of hopefulness.
TAPS is a national nonprofit 501(c)3 Veterans Service Organization and has a four-star rating on Charity Navigator.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
52400 Muskogee StreetFort Hood, TX 76544
DATE POSTED
January 15, 2019
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Military Mentors must be able to attend the group training and volunteer for the entire schedule.
- All current and former service members must complete the online application and pass a criminal background check before volunteering.