Hearts apart -- but not alone

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alexios Gavrilos
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Separation from loved ones is simply a part of military life. "Hearts Apart" is the program designed to help families of service members who are deployed, on unaccompanied tours or on temporary duty assignment.

Sponsored by the Airman & Family Readiness Center, the Hearts Apart program reaches out in several ways, including quarterly activities, active support systems and other fun perks.

"These kinds of events allow spouses to connect with other spouses dealing with loneliness and the stress of trying to run a house by oneself," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Snyder, the NCO in charge of the A&FRC.

A much anticipated activity will happen in December. Santa will visit Vance for his yearly "Cookies with Santa" event where families can bring their children and take photos with the man in red, eat cookies and pick up bags of reindeer food.

Snyder collects family contact information from service members as they out-process for deployments, and she maintains a 100 percent contact rate with families of deployed Airmen to ensure they are offered the full services of the Hearts Apart program.

Other support systems include the Military Family Life Counselor office, composed of civilian counselors on six-month rotations. The MFLC does not keep records of counseling sessions, and provides an outlet for family members who seek guidance or need to vent.

Hearts Apart also provides some services specifically for parents. "Parents' Night Out" is held monthly, usually on a Saturday, at the Child Development Center. Parents can drop off their children and participate in social activities or just enjoy an evening for themselves.

Another program is the "Play-Pass," which can be used on any Air Force base and offers up to $1,000 in discounts on certain services and activities, such as enrolling in martial arts classes at the Fitness Center, going to the Bowling Center or getting a pool pass for the summer.

One of the more sentimental aspects of the Hearts Apart is giving family members pillow cases with their loved one's picture printed on them. "Seeing mom or dad's picture as they lay their heads down makes it easier for the kids to go to sleep at night," said Snyder.

For more information on Hearts Apart, please contact Snyder at 213-6288.