JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Airman & Family Readiness Center team has a multitude of programs to better the quality of life for warriors downrange and their families.
These programs include the Hearts Apart Support Group and the Children's Speak Up Session.
"Our purpose is to arm servicemembers and their families with the right tools they need," said Shelly Walker, Airman & Family Readiness Center community readiness specialist.
With more than 390 deployed Joint Team Andrews members and the Year of the Air Force Family recently passing the mid-year mark, the Hearts Apart Support Group is a vital tool for families of deployed servicemembers.
"The support group was developed for the purpose of networking and gathering resources to assist servicemembers with the stresses brought on by a deployment," said Master Sgt. Erika Perrin, 316th Force Support Squadron A&FRC NCO in charge of readiness.
Held the second Friday of each month, the Hearts Apart Support Group meetings are a chance for Military Familiy Life Consultants and members of the A&FRC team to meet with deployed members' families to educate them about available resources. MFLCs also open up the group for discussions of concerns, stories or anything else they may want to voice. The event also includes dinner and activities for children, said Ms. Walker.
"If we don't know the answer or solution, we will find one," said Ms. Walker.
Some of the benefits of the group include networking and resource-gathering.
"It's very beneficial for family members of deployed servicemembers to be in a group," said Ms. Walker. "If they are apprehensive about opening up or asking a question, someone else may open up or ask the question they needed to and then both can benefit."
The support group and all other programs offered by the A&FRC are open to servicemembers and their families of all services.
The Children's Speak Up Session is held weekly at the Youth Center for school-aged children and parents. MFLCs and A&FRC team members plan themed activities which open discussions that give children of military families the chance to speak about whatever is on their mind. The children are divided into four age groups: 5 to 6-year-olds meet from 2 to 3 p.m., 7 to 8-year-olds meet from 3 to 4 p.m., 9 to 12-year-olds meet from 4 to 5 p.m. and 13 to 18-year-olds meet from 6 to 7 p.m., said Matrice Adger, Youth Center youth program assistant director and teen program director.
In addition to the weekly Children's Speak Up Session, the A&FRC and the MFLCs collaborates with the Youth Center monthly to provide information and resources as well as assist with deployment related activities for the children.
For more information on other programs the A&FRC offers, call the center at 301-981-7087. For more information or to register for the Hearts Apart Support Group, call 301-981-7087. For more information about the Children's Speak Up Session, call 301-981-8336.