Our Military Kids (OMK) is a non-profit organization that provides grants to kids when a parent is deployed overseas with the National Guard or Reserve, or when a parent is recovering from service-related injuries sustained in a post 9/11 overseas mission. These grants help children participate in extracurricular activities of their choice that may otherwise have not been financially feasible to their families.
Since 2020 I have led the data collection and analysis of their annual survey, which assesses the impacts and value of OMK for both their Combat Injured Program and Deployed Program. I have written multiple white papers on this data and given presentations to the White Oak Collaborative. These efforts culminated in the production of a 5-Year Impact Report in 2024. Additionally, starting in 2023, I led efforts to pilot a pre- and post-program survey for beneficiary families through a grant provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Our two-year pilot of the survey has been well-received, and OMK staff is building the infrastructure necessary to transition to this format for all beneficiary families moving forward.
Erica Hawvermale 