 |
|
|||||
Dawn Brunson, child and youth services, Southeast regional coordinator, U.S. Army Reserves
Job: Child and youth services, Southeast regional coordinator, U.S. Army Reserves
What I do: When Army reservists deploy overseas, Dawn Brunson helps look after the children they leave back home. She provides referrals and services for child care, student support and youth development -- tasks such as finding after-school care and running summer camps -- for about 65,000 children of service personnel.
Brunson, 37, is a civilian -- and a veteran herself -- contracted with the Army Reserve family programs office through Serco, a private company that provides services to private and government agencies.
Unlike children of career soldiers, the children of reservists "don't really consider themselves military children," Brunson said. "They only saw the uniform once a month."
Her programs and activities help these children to cope with the situation when a parent is sent overseas and to connect with other children in the same circumstances, as well as with organizations such as 4-H and the Boys & Girls Clubs. She plans camps and conferences, finds facilitators and speakers, and writes grants for the programs.
Brunson's position was created about two and a half years ago. Before that, such services were available only to the children of active-duty personnel.
"Children can see [the war in Iraq] firsthand on TV. They can go online to see where their parents are deployed," she said. "This war is a lot more real to them; it's a different war."
Brunson travels to Army Reserve units that are about to be deployed to make sure they have the information they need. "When the unit deploys, we're there," she said. "It's not just the soldiers who serve; the family is serving also."
What got me interested in this: Brunson combines work in youth development with a military background. She served in the Army for four years as a supply specialist and spent another four years in the Georgia National Guard. Her father was a career Marine.
She has worked in youth development for 10 years. "I had no idea I'd make a career out of it," she said.
Best part of my job: "My grandmother said the greatest gift you can give is the gift of service," Brunson said. "I can give that service -- and get paid."
Most challenging part: "Getting people to see past their own opposition," she said. "We're in the business of serving families and children. A lot of people don't see it as a high priority to take care of children and families."
What people don't know about my job: "People don't think we work with children hands-on," Brunson said. She explained that her office organizes summer camps, where she works with youth organizations.
What keeps me going: "Knowing the job I'm doing: bringing services to people who need it during the most challenging part of their lives."
Preparation needed for this job: You need to be a hands-on person, be willing to travel, and have good social and communication skills and at least a bachelor's degree. Many of the youth coordinators around the country have master's degrees, she said.
Brunson has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Morris Brown College and is working on a master's degree in human services from Liberty University. In addition to her military service, Brunson worked in the teen services department at the national office of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- By Karl Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.
