DEFY program helps promote self-esteem, leadership skills for children

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As summer approaches, Edwards children can look forward to activities that will keep them busy, one of which is the Drug Education for Youth Program.

The DEFY program is looking for 30 youngsters, ages 9 through 12, to participate in the annual program beginning in August.

"Drug Education for Youth is an excellent program to help young people gain self-esteem and leadership skills," said Denise Saldivar, DEFY Program Coordinator. "It also teaches them how to recognize illegal drugs or to resist people trying to offer them illegal drugs."

The program is for Department of Defense-affiliated children including those whose parents are active-duty military, reservists, civilians and contractors, Ms. Saldivar said.

The deadline for submitting an application is July 14. "The program focuses on building youngsters' self image and setting goals," said Carolyn Graves, 95th Medical Operations Squadron, Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager. "It stresses interpersonal relationships and emphasizes leadership and teamwork. It also raises awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the dangerous effects of peer pressure to join gangs."

The 10-month program consists of two phases. Phase I is an eight-day summer camp, running July 26 thru Aug. 4.

"We do a lot of fun things," Ms. Saldivar said of the summer camp. "Even though we have a mandatory substance abuse curriculum that we have to teach, we try to compartmentalize it and put it on a big, fun format so that it's interesting, fast paced and they get a lot out of it."

Phase II starts a few weeks before the school year begins.

"We meet two Thursdays a month for two hours at the Center of Excellence," Ms. Saldivar said. "We will help the youth with their homework, do arts and crafts, perform physical fitness, learn about substance abuse awareness as well as talk with each other."

Mentoring is also part of Phase II, she said. Each child is teamed up with a volunteer mentor.

Mentors talk to their DEFY students to help them navigate their daily activities in a practical way.

"Volunteer mentors are the backbone of the program," Ms. Graves said. "It is through the time they spend and the relationships they develop with the kids that the DEFY message is delivered."

"Mentors need to be reliable and willing to make a commitment to the program for the entire period," Ms. Graves said. "They should also enjoy spending time with the kids, be capable of forming caring and supportive relationships and have good listening skills. All volunteers are screened carefully and go through a background check."

In 1993, the Secretary of the Navy initiated the DEFY program, she said.

In 1999, the Air Force became a partner in the DEFY effort and began conducting camps at numerous installations worldwide.

Edwards adopted the program in 2000 as part of its youth community outreach and has maintained the program for eleven consecutive years.

"Drug Education for Youth is a wonderful opportunity for kids to develop skills that will benefit them in the future," Ms. Graves said. "The Drug Education for Youth program is all about creating positive experiences so that children will choose healthy alternatives instead of substance abuse and gang involvement."

For more information about the DEFY program and its volunteer opportunities, call 277-4790.