PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Members of the Arizona National Guard Civil
Operations team held a Freedom Academy for children from various
organizations across the state here at the Chauncey Cowboy Camp, Jan. 13 to
15.
The three-day academy is an opportunity to reach out to local youth and help
them develop life skills, such as substance abuse awareness.
"The participants achieve these skills by working in small groups that
accomplish a variety of tasks in a collective and fun atmosphere," said Army
Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Jefferson, the Joint Counter Narco-Terrorism Task
Force Civil Operations Program manager for Arizona.
The Civil Operations team is a joint group sponsored by the National Guard
Bureau, which works directly with organizations to assist with projects
seeking to improve the quality of community dynamics.
"Each member of the Civil Operations team brings a unique ability to provide
guidance and confidence. This is not a team where any Soldier or Airman can
come in and do what they do - it takes patience, persistence, and most of
all, a belief that we can make a difference in the life a child."
Presently, the Civil Operations team is working with the Southwest Behavioral
Health Services, the Boys & Girls Club and Tanner Community Development
Corporation to reach out to communities within the state.
"The confidence and knowledge the youth take from the Freedom Academy can
help them understand and avoid many of the negative influences they might
encounter throughout their lives," Jefferson said. "Community-based,
follow-up programs and activities, such as this one, help enable youth to
stay positively involved within their own neighborhoods."
Parents whose children are involved with these organizations are able to sign
them up for the Freedom Academy, which is held five to six times per year.
"Students leave the camp with lasting memories and a new sense of their
abilities to adapt and overcome any challenges they might experience in
life," Jefferson said.