Moody highlights military family through Communities Care Month

  • Published
  • By Kara Ramos
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Team Moody agencies are bringing military members, spouses and children together in October with events and classes that will thank them for their continuing sacrifices during deployments.
 
Air Combat Command's Communities Care Month reaches out to military members and their families to reinforce the Air Force's Wingman culture and to provide an additional source of comfort. 

This year's motto, "They shouldn't have to worry about their family back home. One family, one force, ACC Communities Care," focuses on extending this culture throughout the base and local community, said Chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Porter, chairman of Moody's Integrated Delivery Services. 

"One purpose (of Communities Care Month) is to extend the Wingman culture with emphasis on community support for families of deployed Airmen," said Chaplain Porter. "We can also use Communities Care Month to strategically communicate that our communities care for the families of our deployed war fighters." 

To emphasize the concept, various base support agencies have scheduled events throughout October that involve Airmen and their families. 

To kick off the events, a deployed spouse dinner was held at the chapel Sept. 20. 

The chapel is also scheduled to hold a marriage enrichment retreat to St. Simons Island, Ga., from Oct. 5 - 7. Marriage seminars will be combined with beach and recreation events to create a relaxing, fun environment for the couples, said Chaplain Porter. A children's ministry will also be provided. 

To help couples better understand each other, the chapel will also offer a six-week marriage enrichment class to discuss the DNA of relationships. The class begins 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the chapel. 

In addition to enriching marriage relationships, several events will focus on parenting and children activities. 

The Airmen and Family Readiness Center has also scheduled an open house Oct. 5 to introduce new spouses to the center and staff. Spouses can also participate in military-related focus groups and a budgeting class from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the A&FRC. 

In addition, to help parents teach their toddlers and preschoolers, Family Advocacy has scheduled a Common Sense parenting class in their office from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oct. 1-5. An active parenting for teens course is also scheduled at Family Advocacy from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. 

And, to help children cope with deployment-separation issues, the A&FRC has scheduled a Teddy Buddy Project from 9 a.m. - noon Oct. 6. 

"The Teddy Buddy Project will encourage spouses to get together and learn from each other as we create a meaningful gift for a child who needs a 'special buddy' to hold onto while dad or mom is deployed," said Ann Lukens, A&FRF flight chief. 

The IDS agencies hope to empower spouses so they feel better about themselves and their efforts, said Mrs. Lukens. This will help create more resilient families who can handle the daily challenges of their lives just a little bit better.

Taking a month to highlight the military family is what Communities Care Month is all about, agreed Chaplain Porter. 

"It's about showing our appreciation to families for being the foundational support to their military member," Chaplain Porter said. "In addition, we get to acknowledge the huge sacrifice military families make in order to not only support their Airman, but to support America." 

Other 23rd Wing activities for the Communities Care Month include: 

Home Alone Workshop -- This workshop is scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Youth Center.

Monthly Mothers of Preschoolers Meeting -- This monthly meeting is scheduled to be held 9:30 a.m. - noon Oct. 9 at the base chapel.  It is designed to support mothers of preschoolers. 

Give Parents A Break -- This monthly program  is scheduled to be held 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13. It is designed to provide single parents and those whose spouse is deployed with some time off from parenting.

Choices have Consequences -- This lunch and learn workshop is scheduled to be held 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in the auditorium located in Building 328.

Deployment Survival 101 -- This seminar is scheduled to  be held 11 a.m. - noon Oct. 22 at the Health and Wellness Center.

Spouses Reintegration Support Group -- This group is scheduled to meet at 5:30 - 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the base chapel.

For more information about Communities Cares Month call Chaplain Porter at 257-3211.