Family Matters December 2011

FAMILY MATTERS December 2011 2011— —Volume 3, Issue 12

Community Forces Amazing people doing amazing things

USO Brings Reading Skills and Study Seminars

Holiday Festivities Highlights of NCNG Family Festivities across the state

Upcoming Events Veterans Opportunities Kids on Guard Balance Are you Teetering on the Edge?

Start the New Year with a few tricks to keep 2012 steady DECEMBER 2011

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Volume 3, Issue 12

contents 3 4 5

Director’s Column

7

Reading and Study Skills Seminars for Military Families

Family Readiness Group Zumbathon Wells Fargo Community Helps Veterans, Servicemembers and their Families

8

Are you living a balanced life or teetering on the edge?

9 10 11

Family Festivities

13

Volunteer Community Webinar, Balance Career, Family and Volunteering

14 16

Child and Youth

Holiday Shopping and Money National Guard Youth Symposium A Teen Perspective

Thank You

FAMILY MATTERS DECEMBER 2011 Diane Coffill State Family Program Director diane.coffill2@us.army.mil (919) 664-6324 SFC Ramona Scott Family Program NCOIC ramona.scott1@us.army.mil (919) 664-6000 ext. 47005 Vacant Family Program Assistant (919) 664-6000 ext. 46876 Lana Greer State FAC Coordinator lana.m.greer@us.army.mil (828) 652-4595 ext. 14 Kathleen Flaherty Airman & Family Readiness Program Mgr. kathleen.flaherty.ctr@ncchar.ang.a f.mil (704) 398-4949 Alice Dean State Youth Coordinator alice.dean@us.army.mil (919) 664-6000 ext. 16289 Angelena Dockery Marketing & Communications Manager sallie.a.dockery@us.army.mil (919) 485-9570 Kathryn Jarvis Marketing & Communications Manager Kathryn.jarvis@us.army.mil (919) 485-9571

About Family Matters Family Matters was created to provide Servicemembers and Families the most up-to-date information and services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues or if you have suggestions and comments, please contact the NCNG Family Programs Marketing and Communications Department personnel, Angelena Dockery or Kathryn Jarvis at ncngfamilyprograms@gmail.com. E-Versions of Family Matters can be downloaded at the NCNG Family Programs webpage at www.nc.ngb.army.mil.

Judy Richardson Senior FRSA judy.richardson@us.army.mil (919) 347-4352 ext. 15 NC National Guard Family Programs State Office 1626 Gold Star Drive Raleigh, NC 27607-6410 (919) 664-6053 www.nc.ngb.army.mil DECEMBER 2011

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Director’s Column Happy Holidays, December is here! During this season, we are all more mindful of the importance of Family and spending time together. This is also the season of thanks and giving.

NCNG Family Programs wishes to thank the many individuals and organizations that pull together to show their support to our Service Members and Military Families, not only during the Holidays but throughout the year. We’re also grateful to be supported by local and national leaders, such as Governor Perdue and Mrs. Petreaus who’ll share time with our State’s military community this month.

We’re especially pleased to have the tremendous support of Glen Robertson with Fairway Ministries who has put on a yearly Spouse Pampering Day & Christmas for Kids Shopping trip for many years now. Even in the face of a downturn economy, Glen’s devotion to our Families kept him persistent and creative. We also have the Raleigh Elks Lodge who help us with our Back to School events and during the Holidays. Folks like those at Reedemer Church stand ready to assist us yearly as well with spouse pampering events and more. Just last year, the Desperado’s Motorcycle Club donated a truckload of toys for our kids, and this year again joined together to hold another toy drive.

While we cannot specifically name everyone here, we’d like all of you who’ve helped to know that your giving is truly valued here, in our program, and among the Families.

The North Carolina National Guard Integrated Behavioral Health System is available 24/7 to answer questions and direct you to counseling options and resources for help.

1-800-621-4136 ext. 1

This month, we’ve put together snippets of all that we’ve accomplished this year.

Our hopes is that you’ll take a look and see that we’ll continue to offer these types of events and programs again next year, and that you and your Family should join in, if you haven’t done so already. You’ll also see listed a few of our additional supporters.

The Holidays are a time for giving but giving of your time is gift enough. It’s not important to buy gifts for everyone you know. You can make gifts to give, draw names and many other creative ways to save. You’ll see some tips inside on this, as well.

We’re still accepting applications for those National Guard Families in need of assistance during the Holidays (see form inside). We’ll try to match as many of you as possible to the benefactors that we receive.

On behalf of Family Programs, we wish you and your Family a very happy Holiday.

Sincerely, Diane Coffill, State Family Program Director

DAVID PONDER EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST (919) 485-9567 DAVID.PONDER@US.ARMY.MIL

Search North Carolina National Guard Family Programs

NC Employment Readiness Program Here For You

DECEMBER 2011

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DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILY MATTERS | COMMUNITY JOINING FORCES

WELLS FARGO Community helps Veterans, Servicemembers and Families Wells Fargo might be new to North Carolina but for more than 150 years Well Fargo has been around. First started in 1852, founders, Henry Wells and William Fargo built their empire through trust and dedication to the people they serve.

Through the century the company has swept across the United States; leaving their “footprint” in communities.

By Mrs. Kathryn Jarvis, NCNG Family Programs

Three Wells Fargo employees, Don Teasley, Charlie Delgado and Greg Calleri set out to continue the Wells Fargo tradition of community commitment in North Carolina. Don Teasley, Mortgage Underwriter, said the people at Wells Fargo are always helping community organizations. A Desert Storm and 1/130th Reconnaissance Battalion, previously called Aviation Battalion,

veteran, Teasley remembered last year a small group of people were collecting Thanksgiving items for veterans in need.

He said, “Well let’s just open it up to the whole building…let’s help the folks that deserve our respect and admiration first…”

(Continued on page 6)

Members of the North Carolina National Guard, Family Programs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled Veterans of America and the American Legion stand with the three Wells Fargo employees, far right to left, Don Teasley, Charlie Delgado and Greg Calleri, who coordinated a food drive for military veterans and their Families. Wells Fargo Employees filled 96 boxes with Thanksgiving staple items and collected more than $2,800 to purchase a $30 Food Lion gift card for each box. Photo by NCNG Family Programs

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All the sections in the Raleigh Corporate office started filling boxes. Teasley said,”…I had a goal of 50…it’s going to be hard but let’s just see if it will be able to be done…And then we had groups that would commit to four, commit to five, they would bring us 8,9 10,…people just kept bringing stuff….even contractors that are working here wanted to participate. The outpouring of the people here in Raleigh has been beyond imagination.”

By the end of the collection, Wells Fargo employees had donated enough items to fill 96 boxes with Thanksgiving staples like stuffing, gravy and macaroni and cheese. But one staple was missing; the turkey or ham.

Employees took the project a step further. Employees donated approximately $2,880 so that each box came with a $30 Food Lion gift card and a chance for Families to have a turkey or ham.

Charlie Delgado (right), an employee of Wells Fargo and one of the coordinators for the food collection, hands Department of the Veterans Affairs employee $30 Food Lion gift cards.

Photo by NCNG Family Programs

WELLS FARGO | COMMUNITY JOINING FORCES

Joining Forces, the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) and Wells Fargo load a LMTV (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle) with boxes donated by Wells Fargo employees. Through this donation, NCNG Family Programs is able to triple the number of Families it can help with holiday meals this year. Photo by NCNG Family Programs

Diane Coffill, State Family Programs Director said, “This is awesome, I have been doing this for 5 years and I can tell you up until this moment we have been able to provide about 30-35 thanksgiving meals for Families. You have effectively tripled that for us this year.”

North Carolina National Guard Family Programs received 81 of the boxes for Families in need, the rest were given to veterans in need through various organizations like the Disabled Veterans of America, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion.

Teasley, Delgado and Calleri joined Wells Fargo Forces together to make their own “footprint” in North Carolina’s community.

Teasley goal is to make what they did in Raleigh nationwide next year. He said, “It’s slightly ambitious going from 10 to 96 to nationwide but these folks need our help and respect…it is what it is; we are going to do our part.” When asked if he thought going nationwide is going to happen he said, “We sure are going to try, we didn’t think this was going to happen but you see what you see. Yeah, I think it is going to happen.”

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USO | COMMUNITY JOINING FORCES

The USO of North Carolina will be hosting new educational seminars for the military parents of pre-K through middle school-aged children offering proven information and tips on reading and study skill development. There are three different seminars that will be held concurrently in each event: one for the parents of pre-K through 1st grade children that covers reading development, one for the parents of 2nd through 5th graders on nurturing effective reading comprehension skills, and one for the parents of middle school children on tips and tricks for building effective study habits. The curriculum for these seminars was developed by the North Carolina Reading Association, and the seminars are led by certified teachers from across the state who have experience working with military Families.

The USO will be holding this event in the following four locations: Charlotte:

Saturday, Dec 3, 1-3pm Central Piedmont Community College, Merancas Campus (Huntersville)

Jacksonville: Saturday, Dec 3, 2-4pm Coastal Carolina Community College Fayetteville: Saturday, Dec 3, 2-4pm Fort Bragg Goldsboro:

Tuesday, Dec 6, 6-8pm Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

The USO of NC is coordinating and hosting these seminars in hopes of improving military children's academic resiliency in the face of the many stressors that are often present in military Family life (parental deployment or absences for military training, relocations, etc.). The seminars are completely free for military Families to attend and children are more than welcome to attend with their parents.

Military Families from any branch can attend any of the events. Lenovo has even donated a new laptop computer to be raffled off as a giveaway at each event, which all participants will be entered for the chance to win. The North Carolina Reading Association is also donating children’s books to give to Families who attend.

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FAMILY MATTERS | BALANCE

Are You Living a Balanced Life, or Teetering on the Edge?

Have you ever had something in your life completely consume you—perhaps a job, a new relationship or even food? Then you know what it feels like to be out of balance.

There might be seasons in your life where most of your time and energy will center on one thing such as getting married, caring for your newborn, moving, etc. Such life changes top the charts as major stressors on the Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale because they temporarily throw you off balance— but you’re not supposed to stay that way!

Whether you face huge life changes or more ordinary needs that try to take over your life, learning to live a balanced life is beneficial for your physical and emotional health.

What needs balance?

According to Richard Kirkham, author of How to Get Where You’re Goaling , you have the basic need for well-being in these aspects of your life: 1. Physical 2. Intellectual 3. Social 4. Spiritual 5. Financial You can be thrown off balance when one of these areas of your life is either neglected or occupying too much of your time and energy. An off-kilter life might involve an intense focus on work (financial) that denies you time with loved ones (social), or resting more than your body requires by watching television for several hours each evening (physical) and robbing you of time spent pursuing hobbies and new interests (intellectual). -continued on page 12

Photo from Microsoft Office.Com

Military Family Life Consultants Balance More than your Checkbook John Alleman Adult & Family Specialist (919) 745-9635 Betty Steelman Child & Family Specialist (919) 665-9178 DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILY MATTERS| ACROSS THE STATE

Family Festivities USO-NC Breakfast with Santa Dec. 10, 8-10 a.m.

USO Charlotte, 4672 First Flight Drive The USO of North Carolina, and Charlotte Family Assistance Center invites you and your Family to the 6th Annual Breakfast with Santa at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. This event is open to children of Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard.

Space is limited. RSVP to Megan Grady at m.grady@uso-nc.org or 704-359-5584 by Dec. 7.

2011 Lenoir Christmas Parade “Light Up Lenoir” Dec. 2, 6 p.m.

Your invited to join the city of Lenoir for the annual Lenoir Christmas Parade, downtown on Friday, Dec. 2nd at 6 p.m.

Santa is Coming To Town!

Dec. 17, 2011 , 11AM-2PM Come One, Come All! for Breakfast on the Go! with Santa at the TAC Air Hanger, 1725 East International Dr. Join the USO and their Sponsors for a visit with Santa. Enjoy a quick bite and entertainment while visiting with Jolly Ole St Nick. Gift items for all children! Photo opportunities for Families! All Military Families Welcome!

North Carolina National Guard Holiday Party Dec. 4, 2011, 9AM-3PM The USO of NC RDU Center will be on hand with the NC Joint Forces HQ providing a visit from and photos with Santa as well as filled holiday stockings. For all children there will be a holiday craft area, a cakewalk, holiday reading area and massages for the adults. Call RDU USO at (919) 840-0941 for more information.

If You Would Like to Help a North Carolina National Guard Family

823rd EN CO Family Day DEC. 4, 10AM-2PM 1775 North Bridge Road Elkin Armory/28621 DET 1, 882nd EN, CO Family Day DEC 4, 10AM-2PM 185 Patrol Station Road Mt. Airy Armory/27030 882nd EN CO, Family Day DEC 4 10AM-2PM 804 US HWY 64 E Mocksville Armory/27028 230th BSB Family Day DEC 4, 11AM-2PM Goldsboro Armory 700 US Highway 117 Byp S 130th MEB, HHC Family Day DEC 4 10AM Charlotte Armory 4242 West Blvd.

HHC. 505th ENG BN, Family Day DEC 4, 10AM-2PM UNC Charlotte 9201 Univ. City Blvd.

HHC, 1/120th CAB Family Day DEC 4 10:30AM-5PM Jungle Rapids 5320 Oleander Drive/28403 732nd FSC Family Day DEC 8, 10AM-1PM Reidsville Armory 292 NC 65 113th FA Family Day DEC 11, 9AM-2PM Louisburg Armory 301 S. BICKET BLVD

This Christmas, Drop Off a new unwrapped Toy At Your Local Family Assistance Center Today!

5/113th SRP/FAMILY DAY DEC 11 10AM-2PM Winston Salem Armory 2000 Silas Creek Parkway DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILY MATTERS | SOLDIER READINESS PROCESSING

Holiday Shopping and Money Courtesy of National Military Family Association, Military Family Topics

When Families think about holiday shopping, a budget may go out the window. Take some time to do a bit of pre-planning before you venture out to the mall, otherwise you may be left with retail regret. Here are some tips to help keep you on track: 

Create a budget and stick to it. Sit down with your Family and discuss your holiday festivities and gift giving wishes. Try using a holiday checklist, such as a free online template, to help you track your expenditures.

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Plan for holiday parties. Is there a gift exchange? Will you bring a dish to share? Watch for hidden costs associated with holiday parties and include these in your budget.

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Watch for hidden costs. Do you need to ship gifts? Are you mailing holiday cards? Will you purchase household decorations or wrapping supplies? Will you make any special meals?

Little gifts add up. Many people like to remember co-workers, teachers, service personnel, and others during their end-of-the year gift giving. Handwritten thank you notes and homemade gifts are appreciated. Don’t feel pressured to buy gifts you cannot afford.

Ask for a military discount. Retailers nationwide offer discounts to service members, veterans, and their Families. Even if a discount isn’t advertised, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Shop at the Commissary and Exchange. Military Families save an average of 31% by shopping in the Commissary and over 20% by shopping in the Exchanges. And some Exchanges offer a layaway program. Check with your local Exchange for specific layaway program information. If you are not located near a military installation, authorized patrons can still shop at the exchange online by visiting www.shopmyexchange.com.

S SOLDIER READINESS PROCESSING 151st EN CO DEC 2-4,1PM –6PM Laurinburg Armory 1520 South Main St. 690th BSB DEC 3, 8AM-3PM Kinston Armory 2001 Dobbs Farm Road 5/113th DEC 8-11, 8AM-4PM Greensboro Armory 110 Franklin Blvd.

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FAMILY MATTERS | BALANCED CONTINUED

Warning Signs If you’re not certain whether or not you live a balanced life, look first at how stressed and discontented you feel. If you are denying yourself the things you need for well-being, you will likely feel some of the following: Restlessness  Tension  Anxiety  Dissatisfaction  Depression  Overwhelmed Your stress might also manifest itself in physical symptoms, especially if you ignore your physical needs. Look for: 

Muscle tension and aches  Migraine  Stomach complaints  Sleep disturbance  Appetite changes You can also look at your life to get clues to where you are off balance. Are any of these examples true? 

       

You rarely take time to do something special just for yourself.

You are in debt.

You haven’t spent meaningful time lately with your loved ones.

You are overweight or in poor health.

You’re always tired.

You bring work home most nights and weekends.

You don’t have time for a hobby or leisure activity.

You can’t seem to get your mind off of work, a relationship, food, etc.

FINDING BALANCE If you do teeter on the edge, how can you resume balance? First, consider the 5 areas of well-being and attend to each 1. Map out goals and plans to nurture yourself in each area, for example: Physical—get proper nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and relaxation.

Intellectual—learn new skills and hobbies or read, take a class, etc.

Social—schedule regular dates with your spouse, children and friends.

Financial—consider what expenses you can reasonably give up to help your budget.

Spiritual—schedule meditation and prayer into each day; journal your thoughts.

Randall Hansen, PhD, Stetson University marketing professor and author of 10 Tips for Getting Your Work/Life in Balance, advises you to slow down and enjoy the people and things around you.

Hansen also encourages you to get help from housecleaners, sitters, counselors, spiritual mentors, personal trainers—whoever can help you in areas of need and imbalance. Recognize your need for balance and enjoy the process as you find a more level way to live.

RESOURCES How to Get Where You’re Goaling by Richard D. Kirkham. Success Training Institute, 1989.

Randall S. Hansen, PhD. “Is Your Life in Balance?” and “10 Tips for Getting Your Work/Life in Balance,” Quintessential Careers, www.quintcareers.com.

Susan Stewart, “Balance Your Life for Stress Relief,” Natural Health, www.naturalhealthweb.com.

By Laurie M. Stewart Provided by Militaryonesource.com

DECEMBER 2011

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FAMILY MATTERS| FAMILY READINESS GROUPS

Judy Richardson, Senior FRSA 142 Broadhurst Road Jacksonville, NC 28540-3545 judy.r.richardson@us.army.mil (910) 347-4352 Ext. 15 (800) 621-4136 Ext. 8570

“What Did I Get Myself

Family Readiness Support Assistants

Into?”

Charlotte: Nikkie Newsome nikkie.newsome@us.army.mil (704) 344-2352 ext. 14548

Volunteer Community Network (VCN) Guest Presenter (Pam Lindenmyer) 3 Sessions this December:

Clinton: Sarah Strickland sarah.r.strickland@us.army.mil (910) 299-5466

Dec. 6th, 10:00 AM EST Register at: https:// www2.gotomeeting.com/register/965128346

Greensboro: Gloria Fields gloria.d.fields@us.army.mil (336) 691-7762 Goldsboro: Greg Smith gregory.paul.smith@us.army.mil (919) 731-2021 ext. 2 Jacksonville: Judy Richardson judy.r.richardson@us.army.mil (910) 347-4352/line 15 Morrisville: Jim Roberson james.roberson@us.army.mil (919) 804-5300 ext. 16313 Oxford: Norman Dean norman.dean@us.army.mil (919) 693-3651 ext. 27 The Mission of the ARNG FRSA program is to empower commanders in their duty to deliver the Total Army Family Program (AR 600-20) so that soldiers and Families are entitled, informed, educated, assisted, and made ready for the unique demands of military life before, during, and after deployment.

Dec. 6th, 3:00 PM EST Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/ register/979826490

Dec. 8th, 9:00 PM EST Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/317682922 Life’s fast pace is evident now more than ever. Volunteers are committed to their careers, their Family and desire to volunteer. On any given day you can find a volunteer who has put in a full day at the office, taxied one child to soccer practice, another child to the dentist, attended a parent teacher conference, fixed dinner, and, then had a FRG meeting to plan the upcoming Holiday Event … all the while wondering where is the time for me. Juggling a career, Family and volunteerism can be overwhelming, and without the right balance it can cause you to throw your hands in the air and wonder, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ In Pam Lindenmeyer’s class “What Have I Gotten Myself Into,” you will learn how to de-clutter your world and destress your life. She teaches you how to identify the branches of your life that may need a little pruning and those areas where you can apply more energy. But most importantly, she teaches you how to make time for you! For further information, please contact, deanna.l.cole@us.army.mil or tammychase.vtt@gmail.com.

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2011 National Guard

FLASHBACK

Youth Symposium Submitted By: Maleek Harms

I had the time of my life in Louisville, Kentucky at the National Guard Youth Symposium. It was the absolute best. I made tons of new friends there, one new best friend and a few, new close ones.

At first, when I was getting ready to go to the airport to go to the symposium, I got really nervous because I wouldn’t know anybody. When I checked in and saw Alex and Diane, who was going with me, I finally became calm.

When I arrived at the hotel, we checked in and got our shirts and went to our rooms. After I put my things up, we went to a big room where all of the teens were at, and we mingled.

After we mingled, we packed up school supplies to send to the kids in Afghanistan. We ate dinner shortly after that. I thought that this was cool because we sat with our region so that we can get to know the different people that live close to our area. What I also thought was really nice was the way they decorated the dining hall. I had a hard time figuring out what fork to use, but I eventually figured it out. After dinner we got to see faith the dog and it was really eye opening. If a dog can accomplish walking on two legs (and looking pretty darn happy doing it) then why can’t I. Many people go out and try to do things that might be hard; but keep trying and do not quit … so that we can accomplish those things. When that was all over and done with [we] went to our rooms to retire for the evening.

The second day was even better! One of the main reasons was because of a speaker named Craig Hillier. I thought that he was by far the best speaker at the symposium and one of the best I’ve ever heard period!!! Most speakers just “speak” however, Craig Hillier made it fun and interesting . He did lots of activities with us. In those activities, we were up laughing and having a good time. I not only had fun with the activities that he did, but I also learned some important leadership skills.

I learned that if I am in charge … to try to let each person have an opinion, and let each person have a say at the task at -hand before making a decision as a group. We also took a personality test in order to see what we fall under as it comes

I found out that I am an analyzer and what that basically means is that I am logical, think things through and have high standards. After Craig Hillier was done with his workshop we had a pool party, which was really fun. There were movies, games, and of course the pool. I had a really fun time with my new best friend Brandon and with my other friends watching TV at the pool and having pizza.

The third day, I thought, was the best activities wise. I liked the speakers too but they weren’t like Craig. On this day we went to the Slugger museum and it was really fun. We walked from the hotel to the museum which wasn’t really far … it was just hot. When we got to the museum they split us into groups but luckily I was with my best friend Brandon, and we walked around the museum. We also got to see how baseball bats are made, which was really cool. At the end of the tour, each of the teens were given a mini bat which was awesome.

Once we were done with the slugger museum we went back to the hotel ate lunch and did two workshops. The first workshop was with Dee LaMay she was cool, we did different challenges with our other teen delegates. We worked on communication skills and conflict resolution skills as well. The other workshop was right after that with Dr. Sameer Hinduja. It was about what you shouldn’t do on-line. He talked about what you should not put on the Internet, especially Facebook.

For instance, we learned why not to put out a lot of personal information and not to put anything that you wouldn’t say to someone in person … because words do hurt and can cause harm.

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(Continued from page 14)

National Guard Youth Symposium Louisville, KY 24-28 July 2011

It was really sad to learn about the cyber-bullying stories, and how some people have committed suicide because of this.

By Kristi Wagner, NCNG Asst. Youth Coordinator

“Awesome” is all I can say about the NC National Guard Youth that attended the 2011 National Guard Youth Symposium in Louisville, KY. The NGB Guard Teen Panel did a great job organizing the representatives in their regions to set goals and to step up … to lead by example.

Our North Carolina representatives Maleek Harms (ANG) and Alex Carroll (ARNG) did just that by jumping right in and contributing to Region 4’s goal -setting and team-building exercises. NGB, along with host-state Kentucky and support of state youth coordinators from across the country, provided a well-orchestrated event.

Photo courtesy of NCNG C&Y Program

The event combined an array of guest speakers; Craig Hillier, Bill Cordes and Dr. Sameer Hinduja just to name a few, that helped build leadership and conflict management skills, as well as instill values of safety and self-worth. The planned activities and outings provided the teens with a fun way to team-build

and network.

The takeaways are great. Being part of the first USO concert broadcast on US soil was a lifechanging experience for all involved. Providing our National Guard teens with the resiliency skills needed to become our future leaders. Leaving them with the thought that life is a journey, full of challenges, struggles, possibilities, and the unexpected where nothing is impossible if you try because you only get out of life what you put into it.

Photo courtesy of NCNG C&Y Program

Later, we had dinner and got ready for the USO Homefront concert. This USO concert was the first concert done in the U.S.A. This was the best part of the whole symposium. The person who performed was Montgomery Gentry. I had a really good time because I LOVE country music.

The next day, another workshop we had was called YOGOWYPI, which means You Only Get Out What You Put In. This is a really good motto, and it really made sense. It basically means that if you at least try to do something, you will, most likely, see results. We wrote down some of our other activities so that we can use these when we lead events like in high school clubs and volunteer activities. Later on, we had a Farewell ball; we were announced by our region and we sat with whomever we wanted. After we heard from our speaker, we had a blast dancing. The group that I was in all started dancing; it was a boat load of fun. I didn’t want the ball to stop because it would mean that the symposium would be over. And, in the morning, we would have to leave all of our friends. We said our goodbyes, and I almost cried because I wouldn’t see them again until next year.

The final day was really sad as well because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to see any of my friends again, but when we got the airport, I saw some of them. I was like ‘oh my gosh, hey I know you, you just couldn’t stay away from me, huh.’

All in all, I had a really fun experience at the Youth Symposium. I really hope that I can go back next year. The people I met, we keep up with each other through Facebook and text messaging. I really think that we will be life-long friends.

DECEMBER 2011

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Child & Youth Program | News You Can Use

“Planning for College ??? ” As we close 2011, many of your children are planning for college in 2012. Following are just a few resources available to help you: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.ed.gov Site provides information on scholarships, federal and state grants, campus-based aid, and low-interest student loans that are available and the criteria for applying for them.

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), www.cfnc.org/ - Free resources including college cost estimators, listing of scholarship, grant and loan opportunities and information about North Carolina’s 529 college savings plan, career information, and online college admission and financial aid applications.

Child & Youth Program Staff Please contact one of our offices if you have questions about programs, resources, etc. for your military child.

Whether it’s upcoming events or educational support or scholarships, we are well -connected with opportunities that are available to you, and we work hard here in our State to ensure we can deliver the very best to your Family.

Please check out a message below from Our Military Kids, who provide $500 grants to eligible military kids. These types of resources are here for us so, let’s utilize them. Give us a call or send us an email if you have questions

.

Alice Dean State Child & Youth Coordinator (800) 621-4136 ext. 16289 (919) 664-6000 ext. 16289 alice.dean@us.army.mil Kristi Wagner Youth Coordinator (919) 693-3651 ext. 23 kristi.wagner@us.army.mil

Department of Defense Education Activity, http://www.dodea.edu/ students/college.cfm - This site will help in getting you started in preparing for college, “the earlier, the better” .

North Carolina National Guard Association, www.ncnga.org – NCNGA Educational Foundation has been providing scholarships since 1968.

Save the Date!!!! Saturday, February 18, 2012, is FAFSA Day. On that day, financial aid professionals and other trained volunteers will help students and their Families complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms so that they can be considered for federal, state and other college funding opportunities. For a complete list of locations and times of the Financial Aid Workshop and to register go to http://www.cfnc.org.

Best Wishes in Your Future Endeavors!

Happy Holidays

Our Military Kids ourmilitarykids. com

The staff of Our Military Kids would like to remind you that our program is available to children in your State experiencing the deployment of their National Guard or Reserve parent. We encourage your Families experiencing a deployment to apply for their grant as soon as possible. Please apply immediately to ensure a grant while we await funding decisions for the coming year and beyond.

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FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTERS

Kinston Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 2875 Dobbs Farm Rd., 28504 Fax: (252) 526-2772 Gabrielle H. O’Flanagan, FAC Specialist gabrielle.h.oflanagan.ctr@us.army.mil (252) 208-0255 Ext. 15817 Lenoir State Family Assistance Center (SFAC) 1535 Beecher Anderson Road, 28645 Fax: (828) 757-4519 Frances Johnson, FAC Specialist frances.johnson3@us.army.mil (828) 757-4365 Ext. 4 line 1

Family Assistance Center Representatives are trained specialists in Military Family issues. They can assist you in solving everyday challenges and/or point you in the right direction to reach a solution. You can call us , email us or visit one of our centers.

Asheville Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) 7 Yorkshire St. Suite 101, 28803 Fax: (828) 274-8572 Debra Collington, FAC Network Coordinator debra.a.collington.ctr@us.army.mil (828) 274-8571 Charlotte Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 4240 West Blvd., 28208 Fax: n/a Keneitha Delaney, FAC Specialist keneitha.delaney@us.army.mil (704) 344-2352 Ext. 14547

Morganton Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 411 Kirksey Drive, 28655 Nancy Davis, FAC Network Coordinator Fax: (828) 437-2068 nancy.davis3@us.army.mil (828) 437-0746 Line 18 Raleigh Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) 130 Penmarc Drive Suite 110, 27603 Fax: (919) 334-9971 Earlene Capps, FAC Specialist earlene.capps@us.army.mil (919) 334-0195 Lisa Faison, FAC Specialist lisa.faison@us.army.mil (919) 334-0196 Mark Woolbright, FAC Network Coordinator mark.woolbright@us.army.mil (919) 334-9966

Fayetteville Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 3555 Owen Drive, 28306 Fax: n/a Amy Wallace, FAC Specialist amy.wallace3@us.army.mil (910) 321-1001 Ext. 14920

Smithfield Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 406 Hospital Road, 27577 Fax: (919) 934-2901 Abby Millsap, FAC Specialist abby.e.millsap@us.army.mil 919) 934-2013 Ext.16

Greensboro State Family Assistance Center (SFAC) 110 Franklin Blvd., 27401 Fax: (336) 691-7766 Katy Jones, FAC Network Coordinator katy.m.jones@us.army.mil, (336) 691-7712

Southern Pines Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 500 Morganton Road, PO Box 1317, 28387 Fax: (910) 692-3659 David Butler, FAC Specialist david.earl.butler@us.army.mil (910) 692-8747 Ext. 6

Sandy Harrison, FAC Specialist sandy.harrison1@us.army.mil, (336) 691-7763 Greenville State Family Assistance Center (SFAC) 1401 N. Memorial Dr., 27834 Fax: (252) 551-6136 Dawn White, FAC Network Coordinator dawn.white@us.army.mil (800) 621-4136 Ext. 11150 Kannapolis Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) 6001 Gateway Center Dr., Suite 109, 28081 Fax: (704) 788-0550 Lynn White, FAC Specialist lynn.white2@us.army.mil (704) 788-4554

Wilmington Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) 2412 Infantry Rd., 28405 Fax: (910) 251-7130 Jim Marley, FAC Specialist james.marley@us.army.mil (910-) 251-7100 Ext. 16918 Wilmington Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) 3114 Randall Pkwy., 28403 Fax: (910) 343-6953 Judy Howard, FAC Network Coordinator judy.m.howard@us.army.mil (910) 343-1775

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Thank You To all the supporters of North Carolina National Guard Family Programs.

Your selfless service and dedication to the well-being of our Families across the State has been an integral part of the success and readiness of our great warriors. Each day, we Join Forces in our communities for a stronger , better tomorrow.

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