Imagine walking into a new school, unsure of who you’ll sit with at lunch or how to find your way around. It’s a common childhood fear, and for kids who grow up in military families, it can be an ongoing reality.  

The Yuma School District One wanted a better experience for its military-connected children. With Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS Yuma) nearby— home to roughly 3,500 service members— the need is significant. That’s why the district, in partnership with MCAS Yuma and Northern Arizona University (NAU) Yuma’s social work students, launched the Dandelion Club. More than an afterschool program, it’s a safe space where military children can build friendships, find support, and access guidance to navigate the unique challenges of military life.  

“We started the Dandelion Club at Rolle Elementary School because there weren’t programs in Yuma specifically designed to meet some of the needs that military-connected students have,” said Candice Brown, a school liaison officer at MCAS Yuma. “We wanted to create a space to connect them with resources and meet kids that are like them.”  

The Dandelion Club is led by professionals with expertise in military family dynamics and supported by students enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Social Work. Members of the Dandelion Club participate in hand-on projects, team-building games, and activities designed to enhance social-emotional skills.  

“We [in conjunction with NAU Yuma] design after school programming to meet certain needs like preparing for deployment, preparing for PCS, how to make friends, conflict resolution, self-regulation, and stress management,” Brown said.  

“The social work students also get to know the students’ needs,” added Sandra Carbajal, a military-connected advocate with Yuma School District One. “They mentor students and adjust the curriculum of activities to what is going on in the students’ lives.”  

Club meetings are held monthly. “Students are motivated to attend the meetings. They get so excited to come and see their friends and mentors. They know it is a place where they will be heard,” said Carbajal.  

Each month, 60 to 70 students take part in Dandelion Club. Organizers are actively working to expand the club within the district.

This story was published in America’s Defense Communities magazine. You can read the full publication here. 

Photo courtesy of Yuma One School District