LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The Airmen and Family Readiness Center serves as a support system for Airmen and their families, retired military members and Department of Defense civilians to reduce hardships yearlong by providing free proactive, preventive and remedial services.
The holidays in particular can be a stressful time for some service members who struggle to afford basic necessities due to unexpected expenses, debt and more. The A&FRC recognizes the hurdles some may face and aims to promote financial literacy as much as possible.
The A&FRC holds classes, provides emergency loans and offers counseling for mental, social and financial resilience.
“If you look at our statistics from last year, 56 percent of the loans given were for basic needs such as food, rent and shelter,” said Sharon Thompson, A&FRC chief. “This is happening to good people who are working every day; things happen where they no longer have the funds to pay for basic necessities.”
Financial literacy is one of the main focuses of the A&FRC. They employ three accredited financial counselors dedicated to help individuals year-round invest, manage their checkbooks and more.
“If you ask service members what is most important to them, they’re going to say their families,” Thompson said. “If we’re not addressing the needs of what is most important to them and assuring the Airmen that those individuals are taken care of and there are systems in place to take care of their needs, Airmen are not going to be able to focus on the mission.”
The A&FRC worked in coordination with Operation Homefront to host Holiday Meals for Military Dec. 1-2, 2016, at the Walters Community Support Center on Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
By referring Airmen to events such as Holiday Meals for Military, the A&FRC can potentially save each service member hundreds of dollars.
“I believe in Airmen helping Airmen,” said Cecil Ennett, Operation Homefront community liaison. “The goal of Holiday Meals for Military is to provide assistance in hopes that service members won’t have financial worry; so they can focus on the mission.”
With the help of 15 volunteers, Holiday Meals for Military distributed 185 free meal kits containing approximately $200 worth of food and cleaning supplies each.
“During the holidays the A&FRC thinks of the additional money people are spending, emotional stress of not being able to see loved ones, and other hardships,” said Thompson. “There are so many things we can do to help make service members decrease those everyday life stressors. All they have to do is walk through the front door.”