JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Calling all service members looking for healthier food options on base, wanting better base facilities, are tired of waiting in long lines at the pharmacy and who would like easier access to base resources. The Joint Base Andrews 2nd Annual Caring for People forum is slated for May 10 at the Community Activity Center from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. and is seeking you.
The Caring for People Forum happens once a year and is a collection of eight different focus groups comprised of volunteers from base who will tackle issues that hinder the improvement of the quality of life on Andrews.
"All active-duty, reserve, civilian, family member, retiree, single or married Andrews community members are encouraged to sign up for the focus groups," said Sylvia Goff, 779th Medical Group health promotion manager and JBA Integrated Delivery System (IDS) chairperson. "The Caring for People forum brings community members together to look at ways to improve the quality of life here."
Community members may sign up for the forum and request a specific focus group. The eight focus groups will cover family support, deployed support, school support, spouses support, health and wellness support, teen support, reserve support and single military member support.
"Since its inception in 2009, the Caring for People Forum concept has evolved quickly and is now a preferred means for leaders to receive community feedback for review, action and resolution," said Col. Ken Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. "The military has a long-standing tradition of taking care of its people and takes pride in the great strides it has made to improve the quality of life for Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and their families."
"We want the benefit of having a diverse group together providing a good generation of feedback, ideas, brainstorming concerns, and prioritizing what is most important to our base populous," said Goff. "There will be lots of discussion on issues that we can identify to make life better."
Ideas harvested from the forum will be up channeled through the 11th Wing. Issues that can't be resolved at base level will be forwarded to Air Force District of Washington and beyond until the issues reach the level where the desired changes can be handled.
"This forum relates directly to our wing's priority to lead and take care of our people," said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews command chief. "The military quality of life programs are vitally important, and I encourage anyone interested - anyone with a good idea - to be involved and help make these programs even better."
For more information or to register for the Caring for People forum as a group participant, contact the Andrews Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) at 240-857-5601 no later than May 7. If you would like to serve as a group facilitator, call 240-857-3432.