january green press 2013 pdf
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ACS Green Press
Army Community Service (ACS) Fort Drum, New York January 2013
Regarding
resilience: Tips,
tools and tech-
niques for practic-
ing resilience
everyday
2
Landing Your Dream Job
3
Financial Stress
Effects the Whole
Family
4
Spouse in the
Spotlight-Monika
Flom
5
Army Family
Action Plan
6
Making New Year’s Resolutions With Your Children
7
ACS Calendar of
Events
8
ACS Contacts 9
Inside this issue:
~A tree free newsletter Direct questions / feedback To: Sarah Lynch : 772-5374 [email protected]
New Year’s Resolutions with Army Community Service
Maybe you want to volunteer
or find employment? Come to
ACS and meet with the
Volunteer Corps Program
Manager to match your
particular skills with a volun-
teer opportunity. Often times
volunteerism leads to
employment opportunities.
The Employment Readiness
Program, works diligently to
help Soldiers and Families, as
well as DA civilians, find
employment now or upon
separation of service. They
offer classes to improve
employability and develop
skills needed to find
employment.
Whatever your resolution is,
Army Community Service
would like to help you succeed.
If we don’t have what you are
looking for, chances are, we
know where you can find it.
Happy New Year and best
wishes. Remember, to
Think ACS First!
The new year is upon us. It’s that
time again, when we spend New
Year’s Eve reflecting on the past
and looking ahead to the future.
On the new year, we traditionally
make New Year’s resolutions.
We resolve to make changes such
as spending more time with
friends and Family, exercising
more, quitting smoking or losing
weight. The common themes are
self improvement, better health
and better relationships. While
we, at Army Community Service
(ACS), can’t make you skinny
(even though we are located next
to Monti Fitness Center and the
new Mountain Functional Fitness
Center), we can help with self
improvement and mental well
being.
Have you noticed January is a
long and often dreary month?
It can definitely challenge your
motivation to get out there and
achieve those resolutions. Army
Community Service would like to
empower you to come in and
check out what we have to offer.
If your resolution is to treat
the people in your life
better or to build stronger
relationships, ACS suggests
attending resilience training.
The Master Resilience
Training (MRT) is a
positive psychology that
teaches you how to be
psychologically strong
during times of stress and
adversity. The training helps
students understand how
their thought processes
drive their actions and
affect the consequences of
their behaviors. It teaches
people how to
communicate effectively,
build better relationships
and become more resilient
in every day situations.
If, on the other hand, your
resolution involves better
money management, how
about a budgeting or TSP
class? Financial Readiness
will also work with you
one on one to help you
reach your financial goals.
ACS Green Press January 2013 Page 2
Regarding Resilience: Tips, tools and techniques
for practicing resilience everyday!
By Jenn Eichner, MRT 772-2848
I recently asked a few folks who have taken the MRT training if they are continuing to hunt the good stuff daily. Unfortunately the majority said no. When I asked why, they responded that it was hard or they would just simply forget. I didn't let them off the hook very easily. We have got to seek out, identify and articulate the good happening in our lives on a daily basis. If we don't it is too easy to become immune to seeing it at all. Good is all around us, but we tend to give the bad more of our attention. Most of us spend far more time worrying about what can go wrong or replaying setbacks than we do noticing and enjoying what has gone right. In fact, we actually need to teach ourselves to look for and acknowledge the positive things that also happen every day. An earlier article outlined how to start and what to write in a Hunt the Good Stuff journal. But maybe keeping a journal is not for you. Guess what –
that does not let you off the hook either! Find an avenue to record your good stuff that works for you so that it becomes a habit. Here are a few creative ideas: Start a Good Stuff Jar. Start the year with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good stuff each day. Then, on New Year’s Eve, empty it and see what awesome stuff happened that year. Good way to keep things in perspective. Start a Good Stuff Chain: Cut out paper strips and write some good stuff on one as often as possible. Each day link the paper strips together to make a good stuff chain. Use your chain to brighten up your home, office, and/or car. Make a Good Stuff Ball: Start with a small bouncy ball. Each day, wrap a rubber band around the ball to symbolize good stuff that has happened in your day. Make it as big as you and enjoy watching it bounce. Remember the more resilience you show the more you stretch and bounce back!
Have You Been Hunting the Good Stuff ? Start a Good Stuff Bank: Drop spare change into a jar for each good thing that has happened in your day. At the end of the month/year treat yourself to something positive as a reward for training your mind to hunt the good stuff.
So, hunting the good stuff does not
need to be a challenge. As with all
change, it may take time to become a
habit. But if you will give it the time,
you will increase your hope, your opti-
mism and your overall mental and
physical health!
Happy hunting! Have a wonderful month – good luck and good thoughts!
11 February Module 3 9:30am-2:30pm
4 March Module 4 9:30am-2:30pm
All classes held at ACS Building call 772-0470/2848/0509 to make a
reservation
Refrigerators are available for use if you wish to bring a lunch!
2013
ACS Master Resilience
Training Schedule
Page 3 ACS Green Press January 2013
Landing Your Dream Job
Congratulations to the following Employment Readiness clients who have recently landed a job!
Kristen Dickerson DFAS Kelly Geagan Fairgrounds YMCA If you are an Employment Readiness Client, please let us know when you are offered a job so we can salute you!
Look Who’s On The Payroll!!!!!
Looking for employment is not an easy task, and at times landing a job may take weeks or even months. Why not land your dream job this year? By using an efficient process of setting goals, identifying what you need to accom-plish to meet those goals, and acting on your objectives, you can land the job of your dreams. What Do You Want? Studies have shown you’re more likely to be successful if you enjoy your work. Goal setting expert Adrian Loncraovich advises job seekers to visualize your dream job and start by listing the things you like to do. “The easiest way to pinpoint your dream job is to use visual aids, like a list or a mind map. It doesn't matter whether you use a pen and paper or a computer program -- getting everything written down where you can see it will help you get a clear picture of your job goal and what you need to do to get there.” Recognize Your Skills? Next, identify the things that you're good at. Are you good with numbers? Are you the person people call when their computer breaks down? Everyone has their own personal skill set. Start making a list of all the things you do well. Don't forget to include skills that you've developed in your work experience and/or volunteer activities, but do not limit yourself to only skills you have had formal training in. Once you have a list of skills, identify which of the skills you are best at, and num-ber them using "1" for your strongest skill and go from there. After you’ve made your list, you can start looking
for a job that involves doing something you like using the skills you are strongest in. If you're stuck, Army OneSource has a great career assessment tool that can help you get a sense for what’s out there. Visit their website www.myarmyonesource.com and look under the careers tab. Build A Plan. You have now identified your dream job, but what do you need to do to get there? Most careers require a specialized skill set so think about what you need to do to get that knowledge, if you do not already possess. Do you need to go back to school? Do you need to attend training seminars and get certified? The first goal you will set to achieving your dream job will be related to obtaining these training and skills you need to be successful. Take Action. The next set of goals to achieve your dream job involves creating a résumé. Start working in your field as early as possible, even if it's only part time or volunteer work. The more experience you have when you apply for your dream job, the more successful you will be in achiev-ing your goals. Stand Out From The Crowd. Start creating a demand for yourself as soon as you can to stand out amongst your competitors. If you're working part time or volunteering, make yourself stand out from the crowd by doing an above-average job. Whenever you are given an assignment, complete it to the best of your ability, and do not be reluctant to take on additional work if
you see an area where you can make a difference. By expressing your passion, you'll have built an above-average résumé that shows potential employers how hiring you will benefit their company. Build a Strong Network. In finding any job, knowledge and experience can only take you so far-- "It's not what you know, it's who you know.” Having a strong social network can open opportunities for you and help you enter into your dream job. Maybe you know a friend, who knows a friend, who works in the industry you are trying to enter into. You can also meet people within the field of your dream job by joining associations or attending conferences in the field. Consider the internet for expanding your social network. You can set up your own webpage, blog, or even create an account on social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter). The internet offers unlimited social networking potential, but it's up to you to take advantage of it. Love Your Job. The most important thing to remember about getting your dream job is that it won't happen overnight. Plan for the long term, but don't procrastinate when it comes to getting started. The first steps you take toward your goals are often the hardest, but if you don't start moving, you'll never get anywhere. So, what are you waiting for? GO! *Information adopted from Adrian Loncarovich, co-author of GoalEnforcer
Financial Stress Affects the Whole Family
problems and often can add to them.
The strain of parenting alone after the
divorce can lead to further stress from
financial problems.
So, what’s the bottom line? Stress can
be damaging to all of those involved.
Stress over finances is extremely
common among married couples.
Army Community Service (ACS) always
suggests a preventative course of
action. Here is a list of ways you can
alleviate the negative effects of stress
caused by financial concerns:
Don’t panic: For every financial
problem there is a solution, even if it
seems impossible.
Set goals: Financial goals keep you
focused, with an end in sight. You can
see your progress and celebrate your
accomplishments. Ask Financial
Readiness how to set financial goals
that will work for your individual
situation. Contact Financial Readiness
to discuss ways to get on track.
Think positive: ACS offers
resilience training to teach you
techniques for changing the way you
think about a situation as well as how
you react to the situation.
Financial stress is a leading cause of
stress on marriages and ultimately the
Family as a unit. In marriage,
whenever there is a lack of
communication about finances
combined with differences in
spending and saving habits, things can
go bad quickly.
In a relationship, financial stress can
lead to increased fighting between
husband and wife. Children pick up
on the stress their parents are feeling
as well as the strain on the Family.
It is important to realize that financial
stress affects the whole Family either
directly or indirectly. When left
unaddressed, financial problems can
cause children to act out in school,
regress to behaviors from a younger
age, have trouble eating and difficulty
sleeping.
In fact, financial stress is one of the
top ten factors contributing to
divorce. Worrying and arguing over
money can be emotionally trying.
Many couples have sited money
problems as a contributing factor to
their decision to divorce. Most often
divorce does not alleviate the financial
Page 4 January 2013 ACS Green Press
Work together: Couples need to
strengthen their bonds and remember
that marriage is a partnership. ACS
offers couples communication classes
and the chaplains frequently offer
marital retreats. The best part is they
don't cost you anything.
Get help if you need it: If you feel
overwhelmed and are in crisis, you can
talk to one of the Military and Family
Life Consultants with assurance that it
will remain confidential. You can also
take a stress management class through
our Family Advocacy Program.
Remember, everyone experiences stress
in one form or another, the difference
is, some people take actions to prevent
stress from damaging the wellbeing of
themselves and those they love. ACS
has many resources to promote a
healthy well balanced lifestyle. Come in
and discover how we can benefit you.
Think
ACS
First!
Start the new year with a financial plan
and
Tools to managing stress!
Call 772-6556/6557
Make an appointment with a financial counselor or sign up for one of the
classes that help alleviate stress and promote overall well being
Army Community Service has your tools for success!
Page 5 ACS Green Press January 2013
Monika came to Fort Drum in August of
last year from Fort Bliss. She and her
husband SGM Brian Flom, assigned to
1st Sustainment Brigade, 91st MP’s,
along with their daughter Alexandra
stayed at the Fort Drum Inn while they
awaited housing. Monika decided that
she wasn’t going to wait for housing
before getting involved in the Fort Drum
Community. Instead, she began to
network with other spouses and introduc-
ing herself right away.
It didn’t take Monika long to visit Army
Community Service and set herself and
her daughter up to go on the
Newcomer’s Tour with Relocation
Readiness. While on the tour, Monika
quickly formed friendships with the
tour participants and it became evident
to the staff that she had a knack for
talking to people and making them feel
at ease.
Monika has a passion for people! She
explained that she went door to door
with her friend Suzette Zehler to invite
spouses within their neighborhood to
come to a meet and greet at the
community center to get to know each
other. Well it didn’t take long for ACS
Outreach to ask Monika to join the
effort of reaching the community.
Since then, Monika volunteers an
average of five days a week for
Outreach.
Together we have been taking a grass
roots approach to making contact with
the Fort Drum community. We often
travel off base to housing communities
to set up meet and greets in an effort
to educate the Soldiers and Families
who live off post and may not be
aware of the services ACS has to offer
them.
Monika is a valued addition to ACS
and the Fort Drum Community as a
whole. Her dedication to the Families
of Fort Drum is apparent to all. She
really believes in the value of ACS
programming and services and how
they benefit our Soldiers and Families.
She cares deeply about our Fort Drum
community and understands the
unique opportunities as well as the
challenges that come with the life of a
military spouse and Family member.
Monika is a wonderful person. If you
see her out and about in the
community, introduce yourself. She is
always looking for ways to enhance
the life of a Family member and make
new friends. Chances are, she proba-
bly knows of something you might be
interested in hearing about.
Building Community: In the Spotlight
ACS Introduces Monika Flom
“Without a sense of
caring, there can be no
sense of community”
~Anthony J. D’Angelo
Looking for ways to get involved? Wanting to make friends? Why not join one of these ACS groups? International Spouse Club (meets the third Friday of the month) Hearts Apart (deployment support group meets the first Friday of the month) SELF (women’s empowerment group meets the first Tuesday evening and the first
Wednesday morning of the month) ACS offers a variety of other groups based on time of the year and community feedback. Stop by and see what is going on today.
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Conference 28-29 January 2013
Submit Your Issues
ISSUE
SUBMISSION
FORM
ISSUE: What is the issue/problem?
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
SCOPE: Why is this an issue/problem?
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: Possible solutions?
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
POINT OF CONTACT: (Optional)
______________________________________
______________________________________
Return your form to an Issue Box Location:
Army Community Service, Monti Physical Fitness Center,
Magrath Sports Complex, BOSS, Education Center, Clark
Hall, The Commons, Fort Drum Inn, Hays Hall, Guthrie
Clinic, and FRSA offices (call for specific locations)
Some of the changes that resulted
from past AFAP issues include
Pay increases
Military Savings Plan
Youth Initiatives
Tricare for Life
Household Good Weight Allowances
Increase for junior enlisted
Permissive TDY
Let YOUR voice be heard today! Sumbit
your issue before 18 January 2013
For information or to sign up to be a
delegate, call 772-6710 or 772-2933 Delegate training will be held on
16 January 2013
If it’s a program or service, an AFAP issue can improve it! If it’s a policy or regulation, an AFAP issue can change it! If it’s a law, an AFAP issue can amend it! If there’s a low-cost, creative solution, you should pursue it!
Setting New Year’s Resolutions with Your Children
Page 7 ACS Green Press January 2013
New Year’s resolutions are an
excellent opportunity for parents to
teach children about the value of
goal setting as well as an
opportunity to foster self discipline.
Setting goals can be a daunting task
for many adults not to mention
children. There is a process to goal
setting to increase the likelihood of
successfully reaching the goals we
set.
One important part of setting goals
is determining a goal and deciding
whether it is reasonable and
achievable. Goals can be short or
long-term but either way, goals have
the same characteristics in common.
Goals are specific. For instance, if
your child sets a goal to be a good
student. The goal is vague and not
easily measured. A better goal to set
might be for your child to get an A
in all of his or her classes.
Goals should have deadlines. If a
goal has no deadline, it is easy to
ignore and eventually forget your
goal. Long term goals may have
lengthy deadlines and therefore
might be better broken down into
small term goals. For instance, if
your child sets the goal to be on the
cheering team, a short term goal
might be to achieve a backhand-
spring in three
weeks.
Good goals are
sincere. Your child
should set their own
goals, not goals you
think they should
have. If they don't
pick their own, they will not be
motivated to reach them.
Goals should be written down.
When your child writes down the
goal, they are forced to really think
about it and it becomes tangible.
Plan the steps to achieve the
goal. Listing the steps needed to
achieve the goal. This is the
planning process. Sometimes with a
long term goal it means breaking the
goal into short term, middle term
and long term goals to make the
goal process more manageable. If
your child wants to become an
actor, start with taking an acting
seminar over the summer or signing
up for voice lessons. Then perhaps
joining drama club or trying out for
little theater. Each goal achieved
builds toward the long term goal.
Monitor Progress. Children might
feel like failures if they don’t achieve
the goal they
set before its
deadline. It is
important to
encourage your
child and
reassure them
that the only
way to truly fail
to reach a realistic and specific goal is
to give up on it completely. If your
child’s goal to make the school play
wasn’t realized for this year’s
production, encourage him or her to
try harder next time and to continue
to work toward that goal.
Remember, setting and working
toward a goal is a positive way to
learn self discipline. When you teach
your child how to set goals properly,
you will be setting them up for suc-
cess and teaching them a valuable
skill that will benefit them through-
out their lifetime.
From left to right,
Cadence Fox, Maggie Jansen, and Alexander Erb
Recently, Children from the Chapel Drive
Annex Child Care Center, held a winter coat
drive. The children donated coats to Army
Community Service (ACS) to give out to
Families in need of a warm coat for the
winter.
ACS would like to say thank you to Chapel
Drive Annex and CYSS for taking care of
our Soldiers and Families!
Page 8 ACS Green Press January 2013
Note: Italics indicate class is located outside of ACS
ACS Contact information on page 8
Army Community Service
P4330 Conway Road
Fort Drum, New York
13602
Army Emergency Relief 772-6560, 772-8873, 772-2855
Army Family Team Building/Army Family Action Plan 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, 772-0664
Employment Readiness Program http://www.facebook.com/fortdrumemployment
772-9611, 772-2737, 772-1090
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
772-2848, 772-0470, 772-2919
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
772-7781
Survivor Outreach Services http://www.facebook.com/fortdrumsurvivoroutreachservices
772-6357