ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Robins Air Force Base helping agencies want Airmen, both military and civilian alike, to know they are there for them. No matter what the need may be, there is help available.
The H.O.P.E campaign, which began at Robins Air Force Base in early 2020, was created to break down the barriers of fear and anxiety that often prevent Airmen from having hope and seeking help when they are at their lowest.
Charisse Bruce, community support coordinator in the 78th Air Base Wing’s Integrated Resiliency and Prevention Program Office at Robins, said there is a wide variety of helping agencies for every employee at Robins that is equipped to refer people to the proper agency if they are unable to meet their needs.
Bruce said Robins’ helping agencies continue to tailor its services to meet people’s needs.
“The Community Action Team, comprised of all Robins helping agencies, continues to assess and evaluate the needs of all members and their families,” she said. “Programs and initiatives are developed based on those assessments. For example, when the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic started, the CAT developed resource guides to specifically address and provide vital information and resources to Team Robins.”
Helping agencies share web based resources and training opportunities on the Robins Air Force Base Integrated Resilience and Prevention Office Facebook page and on its SharePoint page so Airmen can utilize the resources while limiting their exposure to others during the pandemic, Bruce said.
In January, the base’s helping agencies began increasing its outreach to Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex workers to better meet their needs.
Angela Shunk, Community Resilience Program director in the 78th Air Base Wing’s Integrated Resiliency and Prevention Program Office, said after assessing the workers’ situations, it was determined that it’s sometimes hard for WR-ALC employees to leave their sections due to the nature of their jobs.
Shunk said she hopes having four community resilience coordinators in the complex with the workers will help them to better connect to the resources they need.
“These coordinators are knowledgeable about on base and community helping agencies, so they are able to find the right fit for the employee,” she said. “Their motto is: “Don’t know where to turn? We can help.”
Shunk said CRCs will get people the answers and help they need, and no one will ever be turned away.
While there aren’t helping agencies solely dedicated to the WR-ALC workforce, Shunk said CRCs are the connection between civilians and helping agencies to facilitate needed services.
“The CRCs work with the Community Action Team helping agencies to coordinate unit walk-abouts within the WR-ALC, providing direct connection to the agencies and building relationships with those members,” she said.
The CRCs in the WR-ALC will focus on building awareness of helping agencies and bring awareness of all resources available to the employees, Shunk said.
“The goal is to equip the employee with everything they need to take care of themselves and their families,” she said. “We also work with off base community partners, which enhances our ability to assist employees and their families. Many may not have realized how many services are available to family members. The more we build awareness of this, the better we are taking care of our extended Robins family and community.”
Shunk said Dr. Felicia Garcia, a psychologist in Robins’ Occupational Medicine Services, is an additional resource to help all base civilians, especially those in the WR-ALC.
Bruce said no matter where a person works on base, it’s important to know what help is available and how to access it.
“There are a wide range of helping agency resources available to our Airmen and their families,” she said. “By spreading awareness of who those agencies are and what services they offer, we hope to encourage early help-seeking behaviors to address a member’s concerns.”
To find helping agency resources, visit https://www.robins.af.mil/About-Us/Community-Action-Team/.