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Show IIMES Key Spouse Program ensures families' needs are met BY BETHYOUNG __ Hilltop Times staff Hill spouse, Alaina Fitzner is an expert about the Murphy's Law of military life - if something is going to go wrong it usually happens white the military member is away from home. "When we first moved here, there was a good six-week period of disaster, including three floods in our house, while my husband' was gone," she said. Mrs. Fitzner is now the lead Key Spouse for the 84th Combat Sustainment Wing, who, along with other volunteers, ensures that other spouses in the wing do not have to go through a deployment crisis alone. "Our Key Spouses Program was activated a little more than a year ago and it's a real success because of all the wonderful people who learn of a need and volunteer to ensure that need is met," said Col. Penny Bailey, 84th CSWvice director. The purpose of any Key Spouse Program, which has been implemented Air Force wide for the last two years, is to help military spouses get support they need by way of their peers, from child care to where to find a good plumber. "When you have a spouse contacting another spouse it's more personable," said Angela Holbert, another 84th CSW Key Spouse. "Sometimes if a spouse is having a crisis she doesn't feel totally comfortable calling into her husband's workplace. It's intimidating. But with the Key Spouse Program they may be much more willing to call for help." This program is different from a traditional spouse's group in that organizational leadership empowers a volunteer to assist with quality of life programs and services directed at the family members. "I think the biggest thing about it is the heart that's behind it," Mrs. Fitzner said. "It is not just another function; it really is to meet needs." Mrs. Fitzner describes the 84th program as a "comfort blanket," for spouses while the military member is away. "We want to be She-Ra. We want to do it .ourselves. We don't want to inconvenience anybody," she said. "But the Air Force is a family and we need to be able to take care of our own people, because we move all the time and we don't have our biological families nearby," Whether it's a household crisis such as a broken dishwasher or just to talk to someone who understands the situation, the Key Spouse program can help spouses get the support they need. "We have a network of people who have signed up to volunteer," Mrs. Holbert said. "Everybody has little talents they are willing to contribute." "We don't have all the answers, but working together with everybody else is what provides that," Mrs. Fitzner said. The effects of this program are not only felt on the home front, but also reach the deployed member many miles away. "If someone is deployed and they know that their family and November 2, 2006 this program," Colonel Bailey said. "Through Key Spouses, the deployed members know their families are being cared for. We owe them at least that much." Several spouses have expressed their own gratitude for what the 84th CSW Key Spouse Program has done for them: "The Key Spouse Program supported and helped enormously in getting me through this painful experience. It felt like a great warm embrace. Above all, I felt someone really cared about me and our family," wrote one spouse. Those with a Key Spouse Program already in place in their organization can still contribute. "Volunteering does not have to be a full time job," Mrs. Fitzner said. "It can be as'little and as often as you like. It can be the simple task of making a meal or shoveling snow and anyone can volunteer." The ideal situation would be for each organization to have its own Key Spouse Program to ensure no one falls through the cracks during a deployment. Key Spouse training is available at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. Photo by Beth Young Those interested should contact Angela Holbert (left) and Alaina Fitzner, are both Key Spouses for the 84th Comtheir sponsor's first sergeant. bat Sustainment Wing. The two volunteer to help other spouses get the support "The training only takes about they need. an hour," said Carol Miller, Family Readiness Program man:>.-,>:-. OTHER RESOURCES FOR SPOUSES: V ager. "We schedule at their convenience and give them a Key The Hearts Apart Program supports families of deployed Airmen Spouses guide. Once we give with moral calls, child care and other activities. For more informathem their training, it's up to the unit to decide exactly what the tion contact the Airmen & Family Readiness Center (BIdg. 150) or Key Spouses roles and responsi777-4681. bilities will be." The Heart Link Seminar is designed especially for spouses who "I really can't see why any unit have been married to their military member for less than five years. would not have an active Key It provides spouses the opportunity to learn about the mission of Spouse program. It truly is the the Air Force, what resources are available and meet other spouses. Air Force family taking care of The next seminar will be held Jan. 11 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the our own," Colonel Bailey said. Airmen & Family Readiness Center (BIdg. 150). Call 777-4681 for For more information about more information. .'.- v r ;. - -•./. ;• the Key Spouse Program contact the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at 777-4681 or Mrs. much better," Mrs. Holbert said. spouse are taken care of if there "I have received constant thanks Fitzner at 451-7080 or fitzner® is a crisis, then they can do their from our deployed personnel for comast.net duty for our country overseas so Newcomer orientation great resource for new personnel been in the military nearly 16 years, the most valuable part was the local information. He said the information about the area attractions and things to do with his family was what they needed STORY AND PHOTO BY LISA MANN most. Mrs. Thaden said she was Hilltop Times intern excited to be stationed in an area with so much to do with their six School lunches, weather, new friends, drivers, on-base housing, children. and directions. When Major Fred ., Major Thaden said meeting Thaden, 75th Mission Support people from other areas and netSquadron commander, and his working were great opportunities family moved to Hill recently, they for him. had a few adjustments to make. Mrs. Beaudoin agreed. She said Those transferring to Hill have newcomers orientation brings a great resource in the Airman & people into the building and helps Family Readiness Center. Center make them aware of the services. personnel organize a Newcomers' She said when people don't know Orientation for newly-assigned where to go for help, AFRC perpersonnel and spouses to help sonnel can point them in the right them settle in to life at Hill. •direction. Vicki Beaudoin, a community "Most people don't seek out readiness consultant in the AFRC, help," Mrs. Beaudoin said. "If we facilitates the twice-monthly meet- get them in here, they're not alone. ing. That's a good way to help people when they first get here." "Every other Wednesday we have the orientation," Mrs. BePart of the mission of the A& audoin said. "We try to use the FRC is to facilitate new arrivals breaks to inform them of other settling into their homes. Part of classes and services as part of the fulfilling that mission is ensuring orientation." new arrivals have the basic necessities. The AFRC also publishes a monthly calendar of classes and "You want to do three things activities available for service when you get here," Mrs. Beaumembers and their families to doin said. "You want to eat, you help keep them connected. want to take a shower, and you AFRC personnel try to educate want to sleep." new Hill members about all serSettling into the temporary lodgvices available. Mrs. Beaudoin ing facility was a priority for the said service members are eligible Thaden family as well. Elizabeth, for free child care with an on-base 15, was excited to get to TLF after provider to assist with relocation driving across country from Alaissues such as newcomers orienta- bama, where Major Thaden was tion, delivery of household goods last assigned. or other classes. "I couldn't wait to get unpacked," The AFRC also offers resume she said. building classes, career focus and According to Mrs. Thaden, their finance classes. Center personhousehold belongings arrived by nel also administer the volunteer the time their on-base housing opportunities on base, including was ready for occupation. Unthe Airman's Attic - where Major fortunately, that's not always the Thaden's wife, DeeDee, voluncase. This is where Airman's Atteers - and the child care center. tic, Food Pantry and Loan Locker - all located in the AFRC - step in Major Thaden and DeeDee atto help. tended Newcomers' Orientation about a week after their arrival The Airman's Attic offers a vahere. For the Thadens, who have riety of donated items available Second in a series of articles about the programs and services available to Air Force active duty and retired members and their families. to service members and their families free of charge. The Food Pantry helps when families can't afford all the food they need, especially during a move. The Loan Locker offers many larger items - televisions, small appliances, futons, microwaves, vacuums, dishes and other items - for service members and their families to use until their household goods arrive. "We receive private monetary donations to purchase items based on the need we see," Mrs. Beaudoin said. "We only ask that they return the items in the same shape they checked them out." Many families face other issues when relocating to Hill. Joseph Thaden, 16, ajunioratNorthridge High School, pinpointed probably the most important issue for the children - school. "Nine schools and I get to graduate," Joseph said. Sarah Thaden, 10, and Benjamin Thaden, 8, both thought leaving their school and friends in Alabama was a difficult adjustment. "I didn't want to leave Prattville Primary (elementary school), but I like to walk to school," Benjamin said. Sarah said they have made a lot of friends now and they like the school. The Utah climate is an issue for some families, especially those coming from a more tropical area. Emily Thaden, 13, said she was excited to see snow. Living in Alabama, the Thadens didn't see much snow. "I like the mountains," Emily said. "I like the way they look with snow on top." Twelve-year-old Amanda Thaden said it was colder here than she was used to in Alabama. Driving in Utah is another adjustment for many people. "It took a while to understand the north, south, east and west directions," Mrs. Thaden said. Another adjustment for the Thadens was the change in jobs for Major Thaden. As a command- The Thaden children, who arrived In Utah this summer from Alabama, are lookIng forward to learning to snowboard and ski this winter. The Thaden family members are front row, left to right, Amanda, Sarah, Emily and Benjamin, back row, left to right, Elizabeth, mom DeeDee, Maj. Fred Thaden, and Joseph. er, he has more responsibility. "I work considerably more hours here than I have ever worked before," Major Thaden said. The family is working to adjust to that situation as well. "We don't get to see him, and then Mom hogs him," Joseph said. Mrs. Beaudoin pointed out that the sponsor is a great resource for new families. The sponsor, who is usually a specially-trained member of the newcomer's unit, sends an information packet before arrival, helps the newcomer and the family become acclimated to the area and shows them the area and introduces the newcomer to the unit. Major Thaden's sponsor, Lt. Col. Chris Luedtke, who was the former MSS commander, even visited the Thadens in Alabama when he traveled TDY to the area. He brought the Thadens a list of things to do, a map and the spqnsor packet. Major Thaden said Colonel Luedtke helped at Hill as well. "He did the inspections on our new house and had (temporary lodging) ready for us," Major Thaden said. "He was awesome. He really went all out. The whole squadron did." After arriving this summer, the Thaden family is settling in nicely. For the families following them, they offered a few words of advice. Mrs. Thaden said families should come with an open mind. "I've never seen a community more supportive of an air force base," she said. "Don't wait for people to come you," Emily said. "You meet them." • Joseph said teenagers should get involved both at school and in the base community. "This is a big culture change," he said. Mrs. Beaudoin agreed. Getting involved is key to success. She said the AFRC community readiness consultants go to the units to present readiness and pre-deployment briefings. They recommend the AFRC programs and services as a way to support families. "We try to get families together (through activities) so they're not •stranded," Mrs. Beaudoin said. Major Thaden has seen this concept in action. "This base puts a lot of effort into taking care of families of deployed members," he said. "They do a great job." |