New Program Encourages Teens to Become Youth Ambassadors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Xavier Navarro
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The School Liaison Office recently launched a program that encourages youth on base to assist kids who are moving here with their parents.

The kids are essentially "sponsors," providing their peers the same sort of information that military members usually receive from their own sponsors when they learn they're headed to Grand Forks AFB.

Kelly Painter, school liaison officer, created the Positive Ambassadors Leading Students (PALS) program, a collaborative effort between her office and the Youth Center that allows kids in grades 4-12 to participate.

"We are looking for youth who exemplify positive leadership traits and have a positive outlook and who are familiar with the Grand Forks area," said Painter.

The program is also designed to help the volunteers improve their leadership traits, including improving their communication skills, building personal confidence and increasing their own resiliency. Painter said volunteers can also use the experience on college applications and when applying for scholarships.

The incoming youth must complete an online sponsor request form which gives them the option to be contacted via email, text/phone call or social media. The youth sponsor and their parents will complete a consent form that outlines their tasks. After all forms have been submitted, sponsors will have three days to contact incoming families.

Sponsors will be able to share general or specific information such as what the schools are like, what activities there are to do on base and in the community and what base facilities are available for youth to utilize.

Program volunteers remember what is was like to move to a new base and to basically start over, said Painter.

"They want other transitioning military youth to know they have someone here in their new community who is waiting for them to arrive," she said.

For more information, contact the School Liaison Office at 701-747-4484 or visit the the SLO's webpage.