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Transcript of ACS Green Press
Army Community Service and Military Spouse Appreciation
Fort Drum Welcome Tour Whether you’ve been here one week or one year, we wel-come and encourage you to join us for our narrated tour of Fort Drum and Watertown to gain valuable informa-tion that will help you feel more at home in the North Country. Our tour is held each Tuesday of every month except for weeks with a federal holiday. We leave from ACS at 9:30am and return by 2:00 pm with a lunch break at the mall food court (you are responsible for purchas-ing your own lunch or you can bring a brown bag lunch). We give you the tips and tricks on finding the best local restaurants and enjoying your time stationed at Fort Drum. Bring all the questions you have but are afraid to ask so we can get them answered for you and give you a big Fort Drum welcome!
Army Community Service (ACS) Fort Drum, NY May 2011
ACS Friends and neighbors– Xochitl Boutte
2
New Volunteers for Relocation Readiness
2
Relocation Readiness : Hearts Apart
3
May Preview 4,5
ACS Contacts 6
Inside this issue:
~A tree free newsletter
The month of May is known for
the celebration of Mothers Day,
Memorial Day, and Military
Appreciation Month but
Former President Ronald
Reagan deemed the Friday
before Mothers Day to be a day
set aside to honor military
Spouses. Since then, all
branches of service plan events
to honor the Spouses who stand
behind the men and women
that fight for our nation and the
freedoms we hold dear.
Here on Fort Drum, our
Military Spouses endure
frequent and long deployments
with dignity and grace. It is
their effort, commitment and
sacrifice that allows Soldiers to
carry out the mission with peace
of mind knowing their Spouse
is maintaining the Family they
left behind.
Army Community Service
(ACS) recognizes the key role a
Spouse plays in the morale of a
Soldier. It is the positive
thoughts, encouragement,
prayer and belief in the value of
one’s Soldier as a partner, father
and Soldier in the United States
Army that empowers him or her
with a sense of purpose.
This year Army Community
Service has planned “FAB-
YOU-LICIOUS” a day of
indulgence to honor the
Spouses of Fort Drum. This
event will take place at the
Commons on May 10 from
10:00am-3:00pm. FAB-YOU-
LICIOUS is meant to be fun,
entertaining and rewarding.
There will be a fashion show,
chocolate and wine tasting, and
fabulous giveaways! To register
for the event, contact Outreach
Services at 772-5374. Come out
and let ACS say thank you for
all you do!
Direct questions or feedback
to Sarah Lynch : 772-5374
-Xochitl Boutte
I was born in Nicaragua but
raised between there and
Bourg, Louisiana. For the last
15 years, I have been an
Educator and Advocate for
Children. I worked as a
Spanish Interpreter in the
school system and juvenile
courts. I taught English as a
second language to parents and
adults.
In 2008, I earned
an undergraduate degree in
Criminal Justice from Kaplan
University. Then in 2010
I earned my Masters degree in
Legal Studies form the same
University. I recently
married my best friend and
soul mate, SFC Keith Boutte,
3rd Brigade 71st
Squadron (HHT 3-71CAV).
Last May, I had to make the
most difficult decision ever. I
had to decide whether to stay
where I was comfortable or
move. I chose to move with
my husband which brought
me to Fort Drum. Although I
had no knowledge of military
life, as a child my parents
taught me to make something
out of nothing so I integrated
quickly to the military life.
Because my husband made the
military his career, I enrolled
in various programs that
Army Community Service
offers. I utilized Fort Drum’s
Employment Readiness
Program (ERP) to look for a
job. Through my networking
and job fair participation, I
learned about other classes such
as ERP Job Club workshop on
Electronic Portfolios.
I became familiar with
Watertown by attending the
Relocation Readiness Program’s
Drum Family Welcome Tour. I
enrolled in and attended Army
Family Team Building (AFTB)
Summer Marathon, which was
one of my favorite classes, I
learned about Military Acronyms
and Terms, The Army Chain of
Command, Benefits and
Entitlements, and Financial
Readiness. After taking many of
the classes offered by ACS, I felt
more connected to my husband
and I had a better understanding
of his job.
I am currently attending SUNY
Potsdam, at Jefferson
Community College Extension
ACS Friends and Neighbors-Promoting Community
Page 2 Volume 1, I ssue 3
Join ACS Relocation Readiness and get all your questions about the
North Country and Fort Drum answered!
Newcomers Orientation at ACS 9:30am-Noon
The first Monday of each month
Dates in 2011: April 4, May 2 , June 6 , August 1, September 12 ,
October 3, November 7, December 7
FREE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST!
Guest Speakers from Community and Fort Drum agencies and
Learning Center in
Watertown. I am working on
my second Master's in Early
Childhood Education, with a
certification in English as a
Second Language (ESOL) At
the same time, I am doing my
Graduate Assistance at
Jefferson-Lewis Teacher
Center in Watertown.
As a military wife, I learned
the best way to keep positive
while my husband is deployed
is to find meaningful work and
or activity. I have a passion to
learn and share my knowledge
with my community. My goal
is to open a charter school for
ESOL students and students
with special needs.
May’s Spouse in the Spotlight-Xochitl Boutte
Relocation Readiness Welcomes Fred and Annette Ghiz!
Volunteers are a special breed of
people. They make time in their
own busy lives to provide some
sort of service to someone else
without regard to payment or
compensation. The selfless
contributions made by various
volunteers range from
something as easy as raking a
lawn, or buying groceries for a
shut in, to teaching someone to
read or in the unique case of the
Ghiz family, relocating to live in
a military community for the
next 18 months in order to do
whatever they can to help
Soldiers and their Families.
Annette and Fred Ghiz left their
home in Utah to volunteer their
time and talents to the Fort
Drum Community. Lets extend
a warm welcome to the Ghiz
Family. If you see them make
sure to say welcome and let
them know we appreciate their
efforts and patriotism! You
rarely meet someone willing to
relocate cross county to
volunteer their time.
Thank you Ghiz Family!
I am of the opinion that my
life belongs to the whole
community and as long as I
live, it is my privilege to do
for it whatever I can. I want
to be thoroughly used up
when I die, for the harder I
work the more I live.
~George Bernard Shaw
Fred and Annette Ghiz
Relocation Readiness Program: More than just Moving!
Hearts Apart Support Group Separation is a common occurrence with
Fort Drum Families. Whether it’s due to
deployment, temporary duty (TDY), or an
unaccompanied tour, separation is difficult.
Regardless if it’s the first or the third
deployment, separation from a loved one can
be very challenging and lonely, especially
during the winter months.
Fort Drum’s Army Community Service
Hearts Apart program can help ease those
feelings of loneliness and isolation by
hosting events and activities that provide
Families with support, fellowship, recreation,
and friendship
The Hearts Apart program is a proactive
program designed to assist and link Families
who are geographically separated from their
Soldier. The focus of this group is to build
friendships and ease the stress and demands
on the Family during these times of
separation. ACS Hearts Apart provides a
supportive group setting for activities, an
opportunity to learn about available
resources, and a chance to network with
other spouses.
Hearts Apart gatherings are not formally
structured. Meeting and events are both fun
filled, relaxing and informative; often they
focus on offering not only a pleasant activity,
but a practical one. Past events have
included strawberry picking, learning to
make jam, apple picking, safe methods of
canning, winter safety driver training,
bowling, memory boxes, origami, beading,
crocheting, and scrapbooking. This is not a
definitive list and the program is always
interested in learning new and different
things.
Being around spouses in similar situations is
a great way to help ease the stress of separa-
tion. By participation in Hearts Apart,
Spouses find more than support; they gain
friendship and a sense of belonging.
Through Hearts Apart, The Relocation
Program team has had the opportunity to
know and admire many Ft. Drum spouses.
Our lives are enriched by the unique and
creative individuals who share their diverse
experiences, customs, and wisdom and who
share the common thread of separation.
Hearts Apart is a free program and children
are welcome. For more information and a
calendar of events, contact the Relocation
Readiness Program at 772-6566/5475 or
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.” ~Author unknown
Page 3 Volume 1, I ssue 3
Your Fort Drum Relocation Staff
Scarlett Sharkey-Program Manager
(315)772-6566; [email protected]
Amy Kilionski-Program Educator
(315)772-6553; [email protected]
Diane Peebles-Program Educator
(315)772-6902; [email protected]
Krista Auger-Mitchell-Program Educator The Relocation Readiness Team:
(Left to Right) Diane, Krista, Scarlett and Amy
Army Community Service Relocation Readiness
Program is known as the welcome wagon for
newcomers to Fort Drum. Our first goal is to make
you feel welcome and part of the Fort Drum
Community. Not only do we offer a base tour to
help you find your way around, but also a tour of the
local area to highlight some of the wonders the north
country has to offer. The goal of the Fort Drum
Relocation Program is to make your relocation
process as smooth as possible. To do that, our
program offers you a variety of services ranging from
in-processing, lending closet, and newcomer
orientation, to out-processing, overseas briefings, and
getting ready for your next duty assignment. The
Relocation Program offers comprehensive support
services to aide you, not only before and after a
move but all the time in-between. Our support
services includes our Hearts Apart Program,
International Spouses Group, English as a Second
Language, Inn Visits, Tourism, information, Fort
Drum Community Garden, Immigration and
Citizenship assistance, as well as general support.
ARMY FAMILY TEAM BUILDING: Call 772-6710 For information or to register.
May 5 AFTB Level 1 Spanish 0900-1600 ACS
May 9-10 AFTB Level 2 Training 0900-1400 ACS
EMPLOYMENT READINESS: Call 772-9611/2737 For details or to register.
May 5 Employment 101 0930-1130 ACS
May 10 Build Your Own Business 0930-1130 ACS
May 11 Job Club 1200-1400 ACS
FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Call 772-4244 For details or to register.
May 3, 10 Terrific Toddler 0900-1100 ACS
May 3 Stress Management 1130-1530 ACS
FINANCIAL READINESS PROGRAM: Call 772-0500 for details or to register.
May 3 Buying Your Teens First Car 1400-1500 ACS
May 5, 12 Budget Management 1800-2000 ACS
MOBILIZATION AND DEPLOYMENT: Call 772-2848 for details or to register.
May 3 FRG Leader Training 0930-1330 ACS
May 3 Informal Funds Training 1400-1500 & 1700-1800 ACS
May 12 Key Caller Training 1400-1530 & 1700-1830 ACS
NEW PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: Call 772-0748 for details.
May 3, 10 Connect The Tots Play Group 1000-1130 Post Chapel
RELOCATION READINESS: Call 772-6566 for details or to register for classes.
May 3, 5, 10, 12 Stateside PCS Brief 1500-1600 Clark Hall A2
May 3, 5, 10, 12 ESOL Class 1000-1200 ACS
May 3, 10 Drum Welcome Tour 0930-1430 ACS
May 6 Hearts Apart Group 1000-1200 ACS
SURVIVOR OUTREACH PROGRAM: Call 772-6357 for details or class registration.
May 2 SOS monthly Meeting 1800-2000 ACS
May 4 Cope With Hope 1000-1200 ACS
ACS Classes and Events for May 1-16 Moving Tips
1. Come and see your Relocation
Readiness Program!
2. Visit Military Home front at
militaryinstallations.dod.mil
3. Call your new duty station’s
ACS Relocation and ask for a
Welcome Packet.
4. Contact your gaining duty sta-
tion and get a sponsor.
5. Make your lodging reser-
vation at your gaining installa-
tion EARLY.
6. Attend an ACS pre-departure
brief.
7. Talk to your family, especially
your children about the
upcoming move.
8. Contact Personal Property
Shipping to arrange for your
household goods to be picked
up.
9. If you live on post, attend the
Mountain Community Home
Move Out Information Session.
Moving With Your Pet
1. Sedatives are discouraged.
2. Do not feed 4 to 6 hours prior
(reduces car/flight sickness)
3. Morning or late flights are best
to avoid the heat.
4. Exercise prior to kenneling.
5. Put something with your scent
in the kennel.
6. Line bottom of kennel with an
absorbent material
7. Avoid leaving toys in the kennel
to prevent ingestion or choking.
8. Keep a small serving of your
pet’s food with you in case of
extended delays
9. Plan for adequate bathroom
breaks along route when
driving.
FAB-YOU-LICIOUS
A Day of Indulgence
SPOUSE APPRECIATION EVENT
10 MAY
0900-1500 The COMMONS
Registration required 772-5374
ACS Classes & Events For May 17-31 Citizenship Quiz
To become a United States
citizen, an applicant must pass
a citizenship test answering six
out of ten questions correctly.
The test consists of questions
about American Government,
American History and Civics.
Below are 10 of the 100
questions asked. Could you
pass the test given to
potential citizens?
1. What is the supreme law of
the land?
2. How many amendments
does the constitution have?
3. What are two rights in the
Declaration of Independ-
ence?
4. Who is one of your state’s
U.S. Senators?
5. Who wrote the Declaration
of Independence?
6. When was the Constitution
written?
7. The Federalist Papers
supported the passage of the
U.S. Constitution. Name one
of the writers.
8. What territory did the Unites
States buy from France in
1803?
9. Before he was President,
Eisenhower was a general.
What war was he in?
10. Name one of the two
longest rivers in the U.S.
Answers in next month’s
newsletter.
ARMY VOLUNTEER CORP PROGRAM: Call 772-2899 for details and to register for classes.
May 26 VMIS 101 1000-1100 Education Center
EMPLOYMENT READINESS PROGRAM: Call 772-9611 for details or to register for classes.
May 19 Federal Employment Workshop 0930-1130 ACS
FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Call 772-4244 for details or to register for classes.
May 17 Anger Management 1800-2000 ACS
May 17 Terrific Toddler 0900-1100 ACS
FINANCIAL READINESS PROGRAM: Call 772-0050 for details or to register for classes.
May 19, 26 Budget Management 1330-1530 ACS
May 20 Home Buyers Class 0930-1100 ACS
May 24 Investing 201 0930-1130 ACS
NEW PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: Call 772-0748 for details.
May 17, 24, 31 Connect the Tots Play Group 1000-1130 Post Chapel
RELOCATION READINESS PROGRAM: Call 772-6566 for details and to register for classes.
May 17, 24 Drum Welcome Tour 0930-1430 ACS
May 19, 24, 26, 31 Stateside PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2
May 19, 24, 26, 31 ESOL Class 1000-1200 ACS
May 19 Overseas PCS Brief 0930-1100 ACS
SURVIVOR OUTREACH PROGRAM: Call 772-6357 for details and to register for classes.
May 18 Cope with Hope 1030-1200 ACS
Army Emergency Relief 772-6560, 772-8873 or 772-2855
Army Family Team Building http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000122037720
772-6710, 772-9229
Army Volunteer Program Coordinator http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-Army-volunteer-Corps/13651504365912
772-2899
Exceptional Family Member Program http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-FMWR-Exceptional-Family-Member-Program /104951319542718
772-5488
772-0819
Employment Readiness Program http://www.facebook.com/fortdrumemploymet#!/
772-9611, 772-2737
Family Advocacy Program (New Parent Support Program) SAPRP
772-4244, 772-6929, 772-2279
772-0596, 772-4070, 772-0748
772-5605, 772-5914
Financial Readiness Program http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-financial-Readiness-ACS/1956662120473
772-0050, 772-5196, 772-8526
Information and Referral 772-6556, 772-6557
Military & Family Life Consultants 212-6919
Mobilization and Deployment http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-Mobiliztion-and-Deployment/178420512193448?ref=ts&v=wall
772-6556, 772-2848, 772-0470
772-6553
Outreach http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-ACS-Outreach/180373271991692
772-5374
Relocation Readiness http:// www.facebook.com/pages/Fort -Drum -Relocation -Readiness Program/171335822906429
772-5475, 772-6553, 772-6902
772-6566
Soldier Family Assistance Center http://www.facebook.com/Fort.Drum.FMWR/SFAC
772-0805
Survivor Outreach Services http://www.facebook.com/fortdrumsurvivoroutreachservices
772-6357
Army Community Service
P4330 Conway Road
Fort Drum, New York
13602