KOAH – Kids of America’s Heroes

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Nathan Allen
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Kids of America's Heroes, an after school program designed to support the children of deployed Airmen, has taken off at Arnold Elementary school to help children cope with any stresses that may come with a parent being away. 

Mrs. Beth Mahoney, author of the books "Robby's C-130" and "101 Military Living Tips" created the KOAH program to provide a fun and interactive socially connected group for military children. At the KOAH program, held in the Arnold Drive Elementary school Cafeteria, children are provided a snack, given the opportunity to interact with the children of other deployed Airmen and allowed to perform arts and crafts or other activities or games. Additionally, children are given the opportunity to express any adverse feelings to on-site counselors. 

"The goals and objectives of KOAH is to make a positive difference in the lives of military children. A lot of times when their parents are deployed they experience stress in different ways and we all understand that," she said. "As adults, we vent in different ways and we have someone we can pick up the phone and call if we need assistance. The children depend on us." 

According to Mrs. Mahoney, over 73 percent of military members have children, and with 250 students at Arnold, having KOAH there is an ideal choice. 

"It's a comfort zone for the parents, staff, and the children find it very familiar. They know where the bathroom is, they know where their class is...we want to make sure the children are very comfortable. Also, when we ask the parents to let their children stay after school for the program, they're not as reserved to say no because they know it's going to be at the school and someone is going be there that they're familiar with." 

The future of KOAH involves opening up the door to other schools, getting the Key Spouses involved, gathering more military volunteers, getting other base organizations involved and businesses supportive of our military involved as well. 

Mrs. Mahoney expressed gratitude toward the base for their wholehearted support of the KOAH program. 

"I cannot express how wonderful the organizations on base have been...everybody has been absolutely wonderful in allowing this program to grow and develop with the children." 

A registration form is sent home ach month to all parents with information about the KOAH program including the date the next KOAH meeting will be held. Currently the program is held once a month and is typically conducted the first or last Tuesday of each month during the school year. For more information regarding the KOAH program, contact Arnold Drive Elementary School at 988-4145.