Photo By Chief Petty Officer Rafael Martie | 170713-N-QY430-241 NORFOLK, Va. (July 13, 2017) Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) Mentor...... read more read more
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic's (NCTAMS LANT) Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) program completed Phase 1 training July 14, 2017.
DEFY delivers year-long leadership and life skills training for military and Department of Defense civilian children ages 9-12 and teaches team-building, conflict resolution, age appropriate goal-setting, and increasing self-confidence.
“I love being part of this because it involves changing the lives of youths, however, more importantly is the information they learn. Our goal is for them take it home and become role models in their community,” said Allen Moore, DEFY program analyst, whose scope of responsibility is all DEFY programs globally.
The DEFY program is broken down into two phases throughout the year. The first phase is structured to provide a focused classroom-learning environment that will teach leadership, team-building, conflict resolution, goal-setting, and increase self-confidence. Although the classroom is the focus, leadership camps are structured to provide a fun environment that allows quality-training time, while still permitting a relaxed but organized and memorable experience.
The second phase is a 10-month mentoring program during the school year, in which DEFY youth are matched with an adult mentor team. Mentoring events are built around a curriculum module and are structured to provide reinforcement of skills, techniques, and procedures taught in the leadership camp.
The local area program is led by Sharon Shaw of Naval Information Forces, who is responsible for ensuring that all activities are planned prior to the execution of Phase 1 and Phase 2. Having been involved in the program for 17 years, Shaw is also responsible for recruiting, selecting, and training the staff each year. She establishes and maintains support and links with community organizations to recruit youth and mentors, as well as other resources that enhance DEFY.
"Phase 1 was a success this year because we had one of best mentorship groups, comprised of Sailors across Hampton Roads, that I have seen since I started this program,” said Shaw. "Each year there is one goal in mind and that is to make the curriculum fun, educational and memorable for the kids participating in the program.”
Contact with military personnel and the general atmosphere of the program instill youth with good order and discipline. While curriculum teaches valuable lessons, the greatest source of influence is the close, personal bonds, that the kids form with the volunteer mentors who participates in the DEFY program.
“This is something I love to do,” said NCTAMS LANT DEFY Program Operations Manager Information Systems Technician 1st Class Kimberly Cook, “because it not only changes their lives but mine as well. I learn a whole a lot from these kids,”
The eight-day camp also allows the children to see demonstrations by firefighter and police officers as well seeing some great sites like the Virginia Zoological Park, Children’s Museum and Aquarium.
“My daughter really enjoyed the trips but more importantly, she gained great new friends,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Patricia Moreland. “This also created an open dialogue with her at home regarding topics they learned during the camp and I am thankful for all that.”
For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command's web site at http://www.public.navy.mil/fltfor/navifor/Pages/Default2.aspx, our Navy News Web page at http://www.navy.mil/local/navifor or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USNavyInformationDominanceForces.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2017 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 242599 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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