Michigan State University Extension - 4-H Youth Development has launched the Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program. Michigan OMK mission is to build community partnerships to increase capacity for youth, families and communities to support youth of military families.

We are reaching out to youth and military families through educational programming such as:

• Ready, Set, Go! training,

• Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) and MCEC.

• We support our youth with Hero Packs, filled with fun items to help keep kids connected.

• Mobile Tech Lab (MTL), connects deployed parents to families, hallmark cards etc.

• Camps for military youth and teens, purple camps, yellow ribbon etc.

Our State Team and Partners

CW3 Jean O'dell Michigan National Guard

Hannah Beesley MSU Extension Intern

Jennifer Bennett Michigan Air Guard

Robin Berry Michigan National Guard W.I.N.G. Coordinator

Lisa Beilharz-Tyler Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan

John Burhans MSU Extension Kalamazoo County

Deanna Clark                      American Legion of Michigan

April Clipper                        Military OneSource

Carol Genther                      Naval Reserves Grand Rapids

Lisa Gorman Michigan National Guard

Carolyn Graves Michigan 4C/naccrra

Kathy Jamieson                    MSU Extension Macomb County

Syreeta Long U.S. Army Reserves

Michelle Lavra                     MSU Agriculture & Natural Resources              

Wendy May                         Selfridge, Army-School Liaison Officer

Kendra Moyses                    MSU Extension, MSU, Campus

Traci Osterman                    Michigan National Guard

Nancy Persing                      MSU Extension, Crawford County

Dr. David Ratajik                  Michigan Department of Education

Marizta Rodriguez-Arseneau Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC)

B’Onko Sadler                      OMK Program Coordinator, MSU, Campus

Angela Spina                         Michigan National Guard State Youth Coordinator

Chris Sullins                         Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC)

Brian Wibby                           MSU Extension Marquette County

U.S. Army Child and Youth Services
www.armymwr.com/portal/family/childandyouth/

National 4-H
http://www.4-h.org

Michigan 4-H Youth Development
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/

The American Legion
www.michiganlegion.org/

The American Legion Auxiliary
http://www.legion?aux.org/              

Michigan State University Extension
http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm

Michigan Department of Education
http://www.michigan.gov/mde

Michigan Community Coordinated Child Care
www.mi4c.org

Michigan Boys & Girls Clubs
www.boysandgirls.org                                    

Michigan National Guard Reserve
https://www.mi.ngb.army.mil/

U.S. Army
www.armyreserve.army.mil

Military Child Education Coalition
www.militarychild.org

Getting Involved

OMK is a partnership of Army Child and Youth Services, and USDA National 4-H Headquarters and Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development.  Our efforts is building community partnerships and helping engage youth in making vital connections, with similar youth, adults, and volunteers in order to help promote leadership, stress management, coping skills, and resiliency through tough deployment cycles.  If you want to know how you can get involved by volunteering, becoming part of the state OMK StateTeam and or helping expand upon positive youth development through Operation Military Kids throughout the state of Michigan.

Please Contact:

B’Onko S. Sadler

Associate Program Leader

Michigan State University Extension

Operation Military Kids State Liaison

160 Agriculture Hall

Phone: 517-432-7618

Fax: (517) 355-6748

Email: sadlerbo@msu.edu

Kendra Moyses

Associate Program Leader

Michigan State University Extension

Operation Military Kids Program Coordinator
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Phone: (517) 432-7654
Fax: (517) 355-6748

Email: kmoyses@anr.msu.edu