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Family Place: Bringing military members, units, families together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  The new Family Place, an alternate location for base personnel and families to use for meetings, support groups and social events, had its open house Sept. 12 in the former Challenger Elementary School. 

"This is a time of high ops and deployments (for our military members) - we know it is a difficult time for families," said Melodye Giovanni, 305th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Program manager. "The Family Place is for people to get connected - not just at Family Advocacy or the Airman and Family Readiness Center - it's a different place people can get information, support, and learn and grow as a military family." 

Attendees at the open house received a tour of the facility, which has three rooms dedicated to Family Place; a small conference room for meetings and get-togethers, a children's play room, and a classroom for units/organizations to conduct training, leadership meetings and more. Columbia Elementary has also offered the Family Place space to use in the evening, like the school's gym for larger events. 

Ms. Giovanni and Integrated Delivery System members were available for any questions and to help spread the word about the Family Place. 

"The open house was mainly geared toward bringing the program into awareness to first sergeants, Phoenix Spouses and commanders," Ms. Giovanni said. "We're counting on them to get the word out to the base about the great services being offered at the Family Place." 

"The Family Place is a great place for families to congregate and learn from each other and with each other," said Don Divis, Airman and Family Readiness Center director and IDS team member. "It's close to our community so families can walk, it's available at times when other spaces may not be and it's more of a family environment, which enhances learning." 

Currently, the Family Place is mainly used for Family Advocacy and support meetings, including a parent support group, Caring for Moms and Daddy Boot Camp. Health and nutrition classes are also scheduled to begin in the near future. 

"The Family Place is geared toward many groups of people, including children, spouses, single parents, remarried families, single personnel, couples and command leadership," Ms. Giovanni said. "The Family Place's goal is to strengthen individuals and families so they can meet the challenges of military life." 

Col. Balan Ayyar, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, and other base leadership are extremely supportive of the Family Place, Ms. Giovanni said. 

"Colonel Ayyar has really put his support behind the Family Place," Ms. Giovanni said. "The wing wants Team McGuire families to know they are important. Mission first, family always - the wing has recognized that and wants to give the very best we have in a time of need. 

"It takes a lot to win a war - we can't do it without offering family support services," Ms. Giovanni said. "With services like the Family Place, we can make a difference in that effort." 

Several self-help projects are needed to be done to continue to improve the Family Place. To reserve the Family Place for family-support events or to volunteer at the Family Place, call Family Advocacy at (609) 754-9680. Family Place can be accessed via Schoolhouse road through the former Falcon Courts North housing gate.