Airmen, families to benefit from more than $430k in YoAFF grant money Published April 19, 2010 By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A security forces member takes advantage of CrossFit stations installed around the running trail at his base to help him prepare for his next deployment. Elsewhere, a group of Airmen gather in a comfortable, supportive environment and share tips about what it's like to be single parents. At the same time, military children at another base learn for free how to handle money responsibly. Because AMC takes to heart Year of the Air Force Family, these services and more will soon become realities for Airmen and their family members. The command recently doled out more than $430,000 after approving 40 base YoAFF proposals. "This was solely an AMC initiative. We wanted to do something to help families and provide some resources to our bases so they could support their communities," said Ms. Shannon Dauber, executive director of the AMC Community Action Information Board. "Every base got some funding." For example, the AMC CAIB granted MacDill Air Force base more than $18,000 to pay for seven of its proposed ideas. Plans for the MacDill community include an on-base beach luau for single Airmen; customer service training for child and youth program specialists; classes that demonstrate to teens and single Airmen how to cook nutritional, budget-friendly meals; and activities during Month of the Military Child. "We were so excited when we found out that these proposals were approved," said Ms. Dora Mays, who oversees YoAFF at MacDill AFB. "It's going to allow us to do some programs that we otherwise wouldn't be able to do." She said MacDill is planning more programs for singles and teenagers, because these groups easily get overlooked at military bases. "For the healthy and time-saving cooking classes, we're going to get some crock pots, and we're going to get some cookbooks and teach tasty and nutritional meal planning on a budget for single Airmen and adolescents that are transitioning out of their parents' house," Ms. Mays said. A total of 85 grant proposals were submitted. Judging criteria included how well proposals tied in to YoAFF goals; whether they were doable; the impact they would have on Airmen and their families; and whether an appropriate source of funds was available. The Air Force has a long-standing tradition of taking care of its people. During Year of the Air Force Family, July 2009-July 2010, the Air Force is assessing the quality and usefulness of existing programs and identifying potential gaps in service delivery of family support programs and benefits. Approved AMC YoAFF Grants Joint Base Charleston SportsPlay Fitness/Helios Multigym - $45,000 Youth Financial Education - $5,000 Dover AFB Quarterly Wingman Day Events - $8,000 Fairchild AFB Family Relationship Programs - $34,500 Grand Forks AFB Building Relational Strength - $2,740 Frontline Supervisor's Training - $2,000 Hug-A-Hero Dolls - $6,000 Making Memories - $8,000 Enhancing "Sound" Relationships - $16,800 Little Rock AFB Yellow Dress Presentation - $3,000 Airmen Ministry Center Furnishings - $35,000 Interactive Enhancements - $24,000 MacDill AFB Playgroup Seasonal Parties - $410 Friday Family Fun Night - $2,500 Month of the Military Child Events - $4,000 Singles Meet & Greet Luau - $5,000 Airman and Family Readiness Staff Conference - $5,000 Healthy, Time-Saving Cooking - $360 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Family Fun Run - $3,250 Parenting Class - $750 Youth Football Camp - $500 Build a Teddy Bear Campaign - $10,000 HAWC Walk Pedometer Program - $4,000 Building Resilient Families through Education - $4,500 McConnell AFB Playground Expansion/Redesign - $78,000 Suicide Prevention Training - $10,300 Single Airmen Parent Retreat - $6,000 Responsible Alcohol Use Program - $9,200 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst A Block Party in a Basket - $9,000 Military & Family Life Counselor Program - $9,000 Pope AFB Populate the New Airmen Campus - $25,000 Cross Fit Stations Surrounding Flight Line Run - $25,000 Scott AFB Suicide Awareness Day - $2,500 Chapel Marriage Enrichment Seminar - $6,000 Travis AFB Red Cross Certified Babysitting Course - $3,000 Travis Hometown Community Passport - $2,500 Welcome Home Warrior Reception - $7,000 Fit Families with Special Needs - $8,750 Safety Awareness Family Education Network - $3,200