Celebrating its 20th year, Our Military Kids (OMK) is a national nonprofit that gives activity scholarships to the children of Veterans who were hurt or sick in battle after 9/11. Ages 1 to 2 are now eligible.
Military kids and teens from 1 to 18 years old can now get extracurricular activity grants from OMK. These grants pay for their chosen after-school activities, like sports, music lessons, camp, and academic help.
Over the past few months, hundreds of military kids ages 1 to 2 have taken swimming lessons, music classes, gymnastics, education camps, and other activities.
An OMK recipient family said, “We want to express our deepest gratitude for the generous grant that has made it possible for our 20-month-old daughter, Insley, to take Pre-K classes,” “Kindermusik has become a highlight of our week because it gives Insley a safe and creative place to learn through music, movement, and meeting new people early on.” It has been amazing to see how much she has grown through the songs, activities, and talks with her teacher and friends. We want to thank you again for your kindness and for helping military families like ours. Thank you for being so kind. We’re glad to be a part of the Our Military Kids group.
Our Military Kids has helped kids in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories for 20 years by giving them more than 92,000 grants for fun activities worth $34 million. Adding kids ages 1 to 2 to the list of eligible children increases the number of military children who can get help and stay busy, while also reducing stress and connecting with their communities.
“OMK has huge amounts of data that we use all the time to grow programs and make services better.” Kara Dallman, executive director of OMK and former U.S. Navy Veteran, said, “Our board of directors jumped at the chance to do both for our youngest military children.” “They will feel like they belong and have a lot of confidence whether they tumble, swim, or sing in music class.”
Conditions for Eligibility
- The kid or teen is between the ages of 1 and 18 or not yet 18.
- Veteran has survived wounds, illnesses, or injuries caused by combat while serving in any foreign contingency operation since 9/11.
- Veteran has at least one individual disability rating from the VA of 30% or more (not all of them together) in one of the following areas: burns, amputation, mental health, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, or one of the diseases listed in the PACT Act.
- The veteran is currently getting treatment for his or her illness or injury and has a case manager or medical provider who can sign off on this information in writing.
How to use it
Applicants who are qualified can fill out an online application on the OMK website.
Documents needed with the application:
- A letter from a medical provider on official paper confirming that the Veteran got sick or hurt while deployed. overseas on a mission after 9/11 and is still getting treatment for injuries they got in battle.
- VA disability rates for each person.
- DD214.
- Show proof that the child is who they say they are (birth certificate, DEERS 1172 form, or eBenefits profile page showing dependents).
- Proof of how much the activity cost (brochure, flyer, registration form for example).
Visit the OMK website to find out more about how to apply and what documents are needed.
What to expect after you sign up
It takes two weeks to fully process the grant after getting the application. It is possible that someone from Our Military Kids will email or call applicants if there are any questions or documents that are missing. The child will get an approval packet in the mail after the grant is accepted. It will have a personalized award certificate, dog tags, an iron-on patch, and the check for the activity provider. The Veteran’s family has to give the check to the activity provider in person.
