With our visit to Korea coming to a close, we paid visits to two final military installations and their Youth Centers.
Our first stop was Osan Air Force Base to meet with the Youth Center team, including the base commanders and 2015 Military Youth of the Year Kristin Reamer. Kristin gave a great presentation about her time at the Club and what it’s meant to her. Flight Chief Shirley Wendt and Director of Youth Programs Ann Ernst lead the team, which is doing a phenomenal job building awareness of Youth Center services and reaching out to teens.
Our next stop was U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. It's currently undergoing a massive expansion that will more than triple its size and onsite personnel. They’re literally creating a new city that will house over 21,000 personnel. Several new Youth Centers will also be created, one of which we visited.
Youth Services Director Jared Barrick shared details about the expansion plans, which are expected to more than triple Youth Center membership and average daily attendance. The teen population in particular is projected to expand in a big way. Jared won’t be there to see its completion, unfortunately. He’s moving on to serve as a regional coordinator for middle school and teen programs in Hawaii. But many more wonderful staff are in place to continue great work already underway.
We also met with Deputy Commander Ted Stevens, part of our legacy partnership with the military and instrumental for much of our growth over the years. Ted is a great friend and wonderful champion for kids who’s helping to create great futures across the globe.
We departed Korea with special memories of young people advancing their lives and overcoming challenges. What resonates most is the caring youth development professionals helping kids any way they can at every installation we visited. Their spirit and commitment is a model for youth to emulate as they move from base to base. Youth Centers represent a constant presence kids can look forward to amid the multiple transitions of military life.
I tip my cap to Youth Center staff serving youth around the world and their exemplary service to America and its children.