Promote American Legion Children & Youth programs this month
The American Legion observes April as Children & Youth Month. Departments, posts, units and squadrons are encouraged to promote a Children & Youth program or conduct an activity in April that informs the community of The American Legion’s work on behalf of young people.
Download the April Is Children & Youth Month brochure that features activity suggestions along with a sample proclamation and news release. With the ongoing pandemic, Children & Youth activities for most American Legion Family members may still be on hold. However, you can still promote American Legion youth programs in the local newspaper or through social media to spread the work of The American Legion.
The following are a few of the many ways The American Legion is caring for our nation’s children and youth.
American Legion Legacy Scholarship. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is awarded to children of post-9/11 veterans who were either killed on active duty or who have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater. Scholarship applications for the 2021 year are available now and due April 15. Visit legion.org/scholarships.
Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA). Funded by The American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation, the TFA program provides grants to help veterans with minor children in the home who may be experiencing a financial hardship. Learn more at legion.org/financialassistance.
Child Welfare Foundation (CWF). CWF provides grants to nonprofits for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children.
Other American Legion youth-supported programs to highlight are featured here. These include Boys State, Boys Nation, American Legion Baseball, oratorical contest, shooting sports, Scouting and more.
"As one of the four pillars of The American Legion, Children & Youth was identified as a foundation of The American Legion’s commitment to God and Country during its founding in 1919," said Committee on Children & Youth Chairman Herbert J. Petit Jr., of Louisiana. "Our founders wanted to ensure the values of citizenship and civic responsibility were continued in every aspect of the American way of life after the Great War. In demonstrating our commitment through Children & Youth programs, that founding vision has continued throughout the last century and will into our second century of service.
"Whether you are the Children & Youth chairman from The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion, you are working together at the post, district, department and national levels to support today’s youth."
The Children & Youth Department Chairman Program Guide is available for download here. It’s a great resource for planning and conducting Children & Youth programs.