Richmond, Va. –
From youngsters and tweens to teens, over 150 sons and daughters of Defense Logistics Agency employees from Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia swarmed the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center April 26 to participate in “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” Hosted by the DLA Aviation Customer Operations Directorate and Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, the event this year ran under the theme “Service Force: Agents of Positive Change.”
The Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation says this year’s theme is dedicated to helping our youth understand the Force of their service: on their families; on their community; on their world.
Designed to help prepare young people for bringing positive change into the world—and into the workforce—the event offered activities for children and youth ages seven to 18. Participants enjoyed an American Sign Language class, teen career seminar, tour of military weapons systems, a nature walk where guests could feed the elk and even a military fitness test.
Floyd Moore, director, Supplier Operations Commodities, DLA Aviation, said this day gives the children an opportunity and overview of what and who their parents support. “The type of activities they get to experience reinforce our commitment to prepare our children for success in the future,” said Moore.
Older students, ages 13 to 18, experienced a “Dress 4 Success” event in which they participated in mock job interviews and a resume writing workshop, and even learned how to apply for government positions, as well as job opportunities with DLA Aviation.
Ann Lacks, purchasing agent, Supplier Operations Commodities, DLA Aviation, says this marks the third year her son, Trenton, has participated. When asked if he enjoyed the program, Trenton said, “I get to come to work with my mom and get to be out of school. It’s a fun experience because I see what my mom’s job is all about and about DLA, and what I may be able to do when I get old enough to get a job.” When asked if he could have any job at DLA, the 13 year old quipped, “I’d have Rob Baker’s job [as chief, Contract Administration Division, Supplier Operations Commodities Directorate] because he supports the military warfighter and has a lot of people under him. I want to be a boss.”
“It’s different every year, but the new addition to the program is the sign language class. What makes it different for us this year is that Trenton is old enough to participate in the interview process and he’s excited about that,” Lacks said.
In conjunction with the “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” program, DLA Installation Operations at Richmond also hosted its annual Environmental and Safety Fair. The fair, which has been held for nearly 18 years, consists of various informational booths. Children were invited to tour the fair, receiving informational packets, popcorn, and participating in interactive displays that are designed to reinforce DLA’s commitment to environmental protection and safety.
“Our staff spends most of their day working behind the scenes to ensure that the operations of the installation are in full compliance with all environmental and historic regulations,” said James Parrish, chief, Environmental Management Division, DLA Installation Operations at Richmond. “They [staff] look forward to the opportunity to share their knowledge with fellow employees. Plus, the more our employees learn about how they can protect the environment, the better off we will all be.”
At the end of the day’s program, student participants were presented with certificates and badges.