Spouses’ town hall highlights services available to family members

Published March 5, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- From child care to car care, money help to mental health, deployment support to retirement assistance, Peterson officials highlighted the various services available to servicemembers, spouses and dependents here at a Spouses Town Hall March 3.

Dozens of spouses gathered at the base chapel to hear from Peterson agencies such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Youth Center and Tierra Vista, the company in charge of housing here. Agencies including the chapel, mental health and the health and wellness center briefed the services they provide for spouses and dependents, and representatives from TriCare, Spouses to Teachers and the Peterson Spouses Club talked up their respective programs.

"Tonight is your night," said Mollie Raymond, one of the event's co-hosts and the wife of Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander. "This is designed to let you know about all the services available to you, as a military spouse. As spouses, we don't wear a uniform, but I believe we serve our country, too."

Presenters at the event emphasized the services they provide for families who have a spouse deployed, like Peterson's regular deployed spouses dinners, which are held on the first Friday of each month. Other services for deployed families highlighted included free child care through the Air Force's Give Parents a Break program and free car care through the Car Care Because We Care program, both run by the AFRC.

"We have a lot of programs for families with a spouse who is deployed," said Tech. Sgt. Stacy Oliver, the AFRC's non-commissioned officer in charge of readiness. "We want to make sure families are taken care of."

Spouses interested in education and employment opportunities were encouraged to take advantage of the new Military Spouse Career Advancement Account, a program being piloted exclusively on Colorado Springs military installations this year. The CAA, which is run by the AFRC, gives eligible spouses grants of $3,000 to use toward education or certification in certain career fields.

"There's a large pool of money available, so we're really encouraging people to sign up," Beverly Price, the AFRC's career focus manager told the audience.

Some spouses said they weren't sure they could participate in many of the programs, thinking they were available only for Air Force personnel, or active duty and not reserve, or 21st SW but not the rest of Team Pete. Colonel Raymond said no such distinctions are made, however; programs offered on base are for all spouses, regardless of rank, service or duty assignment.

"When we say 'Peterson,' we really mean everyone, the whole Peterson complex," he said. "Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part in these programs. As the host wing for Peterson AFB, we are committed to providing flawless installation support to those that live and work on base."

Spouses Town Hall meeting