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About
The Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF) is a national foundation dedicated to strengthening, uplifting, and empowering military-connected children and their families across the United States and around the world. Established to address longstanding gaps in visibility, belonging, recognition, and structured support, MCWEF serves as the nation’s first institution created entirely around the needs, stories, and futures of military-connected youth.
While many organizations support military families broadly, MCWEF is unique in its exclusive and comprehensive focus on children and teens connected to service, whether through active duty, National Guard, Reserve, veteran households, Gold Star families, DoD civilian families, or allied forces stationed in the United States.
Our Insights
The Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF) is the national charitable and educational institution dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and preserving the legacy of military-connected children across all branches and generations. We exist to give every child of service a permanent home of belonging.
Why We Exist
Military-connected children grow up with extraordinary resilience , navigating moves, deployments, cultural transitions, emotional stress, and in many cases, caregiving responsibilities far beyond their years.
For decades, support for military children existed in silos.
We are changing that. MCWEF unifies everything military-connected children need: leadership, culture, arts, wellness, identity, recognition, and national community, all under one institution.
Initiatives
Our Ongoing Initiatives
Teen Caregiver Circle (TCCSH)
Supporting Teen Caregivers
Honoring and supporting youth who care for wounded, ill, and injured family members.
Learn More →
Youth Leadership & Torchbearer Programs
Creating year-round leadership pathways for teens and young adults.
Explore Youth Programs →
Arts & Humanities for the Military Child
Preserving the cultural identity and stories of military-connected youth worldwide.
Discover Arts Initiatives →
Future Ready & Workforce Pathways
Preparing military-connected youth for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Explore Future Ready →
Gallery
A Visual Journey Through History
The National Association for Military-Connected Children
A membership community uniting youth, caregivers, schools, installations, partners, and supporters.
Through local chapters, national leadership pathways, the Youth Assembly, councils, and year-round programs, we give military-connected children something they have never had:
a national home, cultural identity, and unified voice.
Join the Association →
The Military Child World Expo
The world’s only global celebration of military-connected children, held annually in Arlington, Virginia, the Home of the Military Child.
But the Expo is not the mission.
It is the gathering place.
MCWEF is the year-round institution behind it.
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Support the National Home of the Military Child
Your gift ensures:
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Teen caregivers are honored
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Youth leaders rise
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Culture and stories are preserved
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Mental wellness resources reach families
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Chapters thrive nationwide
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The Expo remains a global moment of celebration
No amount is too small. Every gift strengthens a child of service.
Donate Today
Honor a Teen Caregiver
Give Monthly