LOCAL GETS YOUNG MARINES VOLUNTEER AWARD

During her 30 years as a San Diego police detective, Susan Righthouse kept an eye out for kids in trouble. On patrol assignments she listened for radio calls coming in about kids who might be in harm’s way, especially through domestic violence calls. Helping kids in trouble became her mission. But more recently, Righthouse set her mind on helping kids before they get in trouble.

She joined the local Miramar unit of the Young Marines as a volunteer eight years ago and has been helping steer youths to healthy, productive lives, without drugs.

More than 6,000 volunteer hours later, Righthouse was named National Adult Volunteer of the Year for the Young Marines group, headquartered in Dumfries, Va.

Righthouse, one of more than 2,500 volunteers across the country, was recognized as a “standout” mentor and role model for the nationwide Young Marines, a nonprofit service and leadership program for kids ages 8 to 18. The program fosters teamwork, self-discipline and good citizenship along with a drug-free lifestyle.

She was selected earlier this year as the group’s Division Six Adult Volunteer of the Year for her work with the local Miramar unit, which includes 35 area youths. The unit is one of more than 260 units throughout the country serving nearly 7,500 youths in the U.S. along with affiliate programs in Japan and other countries.

“My parents were often busy working. I knew that there were kids, like me, who were looking for that role model. I want to be the person they can come to when they need guidance,” said Righthouse, who also served as a volunteer adviser for the Police Cadet Program and has been a Girl Scout leader for 13 years.

Righthouse, who lives in Rancho Peñasquitos, started in the Young Marines program as an adult volunteer and female adviser in October 2013 shortly after her daughter, Sophia, joined the unit. Within two years she became executive officer. Along with those duties, she served as battalion adjutant, regimental adjutant and Division 6 virtual training officer.

“The Police Department definitely set me on the path to working with kids,” said Righthouse, who served 10 years in the Child Abuse Unit and another 10 years in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, where she did outreach work with schools and other youth groups.

“In both of those units, I was able to make a positive impact in at least some of the kids’ lives,” said Righthouse, who is now retired from the Police Department.

When she signed up as a Young Marines volunteer, she figured she could help kids before they headed in the wrong direction. “I could show them what was out there and what their potentials were if they put in the work,” she said.

“I’ve seen Susan completely turn a kid’s heart around and guide him on a productive path,” said Nikki Jo Dick, a Miramar Young Marines volunteer. “Because of Susan Righthouse many things were accomplished through the Young Marines, from working together, to caring about each other, to lifting each other up and learning how important each person is.”

Righthouse recalled mentoring one Young Marine who felt he was always in his brother’s shadow. He joined the program reluctantly and almost quit. But as he worked at it and got promoted through the ranks, he saw that he could shine in his own accomplishments. In 2019, he joined the Marine Corps.

“Susan’s passion and determination really stand out in all she has done for her unit as well as for the organization,” said retired Marine Col. William Davis, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “She is a wonderful mentor and teacher, reflecting all the best traits of our volunteers.”

Righthouse, whose father served in the Air Force, works with several other volunteers at the unit, including her husband, Bret Righthouse, who serves as the Miramar unit commander and 4th Battalion commander.

“We wholeheartedly believe in the good the program can do,” Righthouse said. “There is such a loss of pride in not only our youth but in the American people. It’s so sad. We are hoping that the Young Marines can instill that sense of pride and become good productive citizens.”

linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com

Susan Righthouse