Phoenix Spouses assist parents, families of deployed members Published Jan. 10, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Military families are unlike many other families. Frequent relocations - uplifting children from school and spouses from jobs - and the ever-present reality of overseas deployments, can cause stress for those families. Single servicemembers and their families, back home, also have to deal the stress that accompanies the military lifestyle. The Phoenix Spouse program, offered through the McGuire Airman and Family Readiness Center, provides military families with someone who can assist them in dealing with that stress before, during and after a deployment. "The Air Force-wide Phoenix Spouse program is a great experience for all parties involved," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Casciano, AFRC readiness NCO. "For families, it's a great tool for assistance of any kind - Phoenix Spouses are trained to help families access any resources necessary. "For Phoenix Spouse volunteers, it's an amazing opportunity to help others and change their life for the better," he said. "We are also re-vamping our recognition program that highlights the contributions of our volunteers." As the 305th Aerial Port Squadron Phoenix Spouse for the past year, Kimberly Henne has a lot of experience with the program. Her husband, Master Sgt. Andrew Henne, 305 APS first sergeant, informed her of the program and its need for volunteers. "As a Phoenix Spouse, I act as a liaison between family members in the command," Ms. Henne said. "I call spouses of deployed members and parents of single Airmen to make sure everything is ok, to see if they need anything or have questions or concerns. Basically, I make sure they are aware of all resources available to them, and I try to help solve any problems they may be having. And we have full confidentiality; unless there is a danger to themselves or others." The best part about Phoenix Spouse for Ms. Henne is helping families through a problem and seeing the problem solved. "One of the families I worked with was a woman with three young children," she said. "Her husband was deployed during the winter, and it was pretty cold. She started having leaks in her house, which maintenance crews could not tend to, so we had to address the issue. "We were able to find a gentleman on base who checked it out and found her gutters to be frozen," Ms. Henne said. "He was able to fix it and prevent her from relocating her children and their belongings. I was really glad to help out and help solve that problem." During her husband's deployment, Julie Wagner got involved with the Phoenix Spouse program. As her friend, Ms. Henne was able to step in as a Phoenix Spouse and help with any problems she was having. "I really believe in the Phoenix Spouse program, and the people involved with it are truly amazing," Ms. Wagner said. "Knowing you can call someone for outside help or information and knowing they care is a great feeling. We are very privileged to have Phoenix Spouses help out as much as they do." For Ms. Henne, after 15 years as a military spouse, the Phoenix Spouse program was a way for her to give back to others; the squadron, the base and the base community. "I've been around the military community for a long time, so I've learned about the resources out there available to military families," Ms. Henne said. "Some people don't know everything out there for them, so as a Phoenix Spouse, I get to pass along that information. "If we (Phoenix Spouses) can help keep families happy, that encourages active-duty members to stay with the Air Force longer, be ready for the mission and be part of a happier Air Force family." Phoenix Spouses are still needed within certain McGuire organizations. To volunteer or get involved with the Phoenix Spouse program, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (609) 754-3154.