Family Place moves closer to home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Family Place will temporarily relocate to a larger location at 228 Caswell St., Feb. 23, due to a construction project in base housing.

The Family Place, a house-turned-meeting center, was established in 2005 after a needs assessment conducted by the Integrated Delivery Service, formed from base helping agencies, indicated a desire to have a centrally-located, family-oriented space for functions and events, said Jerome Ellis, 4th Fighter Wing family advocacy officer.

As a joint effort between the IDS, Health and Wellness Center, Airman & Family Readiness Center, Family Advocacy, Chapel and 4th Force Support Squadron, the Family Place had more than 4,500 visits its first year.

"Today, (the IDS), in conjunction with the (base) community, utilizes the Family Place to promote community wellness," Ellis said. "By providing accessible prevention services to our military family housing residents, the Family Place plays a strong role in supporting individual, family and community wellness."

The Family Place is the first of its kind in the Air Force, and facilitates many programs and functions designed to educate, empower and support servicemembers and dependents. Anger management, Autism support, parenting classes, and remote and deployed spouse support groups are just some of the weekly programs offered at the facility.

Many tensions are eased by coming to the Family Place instead of meeting in offices on base because the center gives the air of "family," said Marilyn Roseborough, A&FRC chief.

"The stigma that overshadows anything with Family Advocacy is not there when the programs are done at the Family Place," Roseborough said.

Participation in certain programs increased when they were held in the family place as opposed to other venues on base, she said.

Because of its success, the idea has since spread to other bases who have implemented their own version of the Family Place concept. Laughlin Air Force Base's (Texas) "Mi Casa, Su Casa" has had tremendous success, Ellis said. Other bases are now exploring the idea.

Those involved with the move hope it will bring more attention to the center and in turn, help the community.

"Future plans and events center on more involvement from all of the helping agencies here on base in utilizing this great resource for meetings and activities," Roseborough said.