The Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program hosted four age-specific resiliency workshops for military parents and their children in Ford City on Saturday, April 21.

Held in conjunction with Military Child Month, the workshops were designed to teach children and their parents coping skills specific to military families.

One of the participants noted, “Great involvement and enthusiasm [from the children]. The emotional intelligence of the kids was very impressive.”

Repeat deployments, the stress of reintegration back to civilian life, and other challenges unique to military members, their families, and veterans make the Red Cross resiliency workshops a valuable tool in educating families and the community how to be supportive and work through difficult life transitions. Taught be licensed mental health professionals, these courses are a powerful resource for today’s military families.

Another participant noted, “The instructor was very personable, compassionate, and kind. The breathing exercises and listening suggestions were great.”

Children aged 8-12 who attended the Confident Coping course received an American Girl Doll or a sports gift in honor of Military Child Month.

To learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, visit redcross.org/saf.