Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

SALT LAKE CITY (April 16, 2025) — The American Red Cross of Utah joins Governor Spencer Cox in recognizing April 2025 as the Month of the Military Child in Utah. This annual observance honors the resilience and sacrifices of military children while acknowledging the unique challenges they face as part of military families.

Military children can experience significant life changes, such as frequent relocations, attending multiple schools, forming new friendships, enduring extended parental separations, and, in some cases, facing the loss of a parent. For these remarkable young individuals, developing ways to handle such life changes and building natural resiliency are critical for their emotional and social well-being.

“When a service member takes the oath to serve, their entire family is impacted. For military children, this often means navigating unique social and emotional challenges that can have lasting effects without proper support,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “These brave kids often bear unseen burdens, such as stress, anxiety and depression. That’s why we are committed to providing the resources and care they need to thrive.”

Ruster, a Navy veteran and daughter of a servicemember, understands firsthand the trials of military life. Married to a retired Navy Sailor, she navigated the challenges of raising children while enduring frequent moves and deployment separations, bringing a deeply personal perspective to her mission at the Red Cross.

Red Cross Programs Supporting Utah’s Military Children
According to the Department of Defense, there are 1.6 million U.S. military children worldwide, and these children move three times more often than their civilian peers. Here in Utah, over 17,000 children are part of military families. Through a variety of tailored programs, the American Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring that these children receive the critical support they deserve.
 

• Free, Confidential Mental Wellness Classes: Offered for children ages 5 to 17, these sessions are led by mental health professionals to help military kids process their experiences and build emotional resilience.
• Reconnection Workshops for Families: Specifically designed to ease reintegration after deployments, these workshops support stronger family connections and improved communication.
• Skill-Building Opportunities: Programs like “Roger That! Communication Counts” focus on enhancing self-confidence and communication strategies, while “Operation 10-4: Confident Coping” uses hands-on activities to teach stress management and coping techniques.
• Reintegration Planning Resources: Tailored workshops help parents and children adjust to reunions and prepare for periods of separation in the future.

Through the Services to the Armed Forces programs, the Red Cross empowers military families to face their challenges, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. Learn more about the ways the Red Cross supports our military community by visiting redcross.org/SAF.

About the Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child was established in 1986 by then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to honor the immense sacrifices and strength of military children. It has since become a nationwide tradition, with organizations, schools and communities uniting to recognize and support the over 1.6 million U.S. military children worldwide.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.