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JBSA News
NEWS | Nov. 25, 2009

Heart Link gives sense of belonging

By Mike Joseph 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

Among other goals, Heart Link aims to give Air Force spouses a sense of belonging.

Consider that mission accomplished after a Heart Link orientation Nov. 18 that also educated spouses on the Air Force mission while providing information about family support programs. Orientations, held quarterly at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, are open to all spouses.

"I felt a sense of belonging to a family. They made it clear that anything I needed help with only required one important task - ask," said Leslie Detouche, wife of a 37th Security Forces Squadron NCO.

Nearly 30 people attended the orientation.

"I was so excited to see so many people attend," said Terryca Fuller, Airman and Family Readiness Heart Link director. "This is an important program for spouses because so many don't know where to find resources during a time of need like deployment."

Sharon Witter, Airman and Family Readiness chief, said the spousal program provides information first hand, not off-the-street information or hearsay. It also gives spouses directions for answers to any questions.

"All you have to do is pick up the phone or go to a unit," said Mrs. Detouche.

"One of the main goals is to provide information and education," Ms. Witter said. "It's also to help them understand the active-duty members' role and duties (while giving) them a big picture of what the Air Force is about."

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norman Schwartz has declared July 2009-July 2010 Year of the Air Force Family. The Air Force is committed to improving the quality of life for Airmen's families through recurring and new programs.

Heart Link is one of the ongoing programs falling under Year of the Air Force Family. Interest in it on Lackland has increased over the past year after switching to an evening format in August 2008.

Mrs. Detouche said one of her highlights from the event was gaining a clear understanding that Year of the Air Force Family was more than a slogan.

"Many military service members and families suffer because of a lack of knowledge about where to go, what to do and what to say," she said.

Airman and Family Readiness continues to fine tune its Heart Link program to accommodate attendees. Ms. Witter said plans for 2010 are to have two day and two night sessions. Each orientation also includes a commander's briefing, meal and childcare, and graduates of the orientation receive a Heart Link coin.