Outreach Updates
Outreach Services kicked off spring with a busy calendar filled with events and activities throughout the province. The Cape Breton Site MFRC started off the month by hosting an Easter-themed Ready, Set, Know gathering on April 3. Military families came out and enjoyed an evening of fun Easter activities and time to socialize with one another. April also saw the return of the H&R MFRC’s Information Roadshow to the communities of Tatamagouche, Pictou, Sydney and Truro. Military family members and friends joined us to learn more about the Emotional Cycle of Deployment, military resources and were also introduced to other support agencies. Thanks to all of the folks in the communities we visited for welcoming us!
Outreach Services will be back on the island on May 22 and 23 for additional Unit Family Rep Training at the Victoria Park Garrison. The ongoing training is intended to enhance the capacity of the UFRs to provide information to CF members and families about the MFRC and other partner agencies who work to provide support and services to our military community.
As we get closer to summer, we will be ramping up to attend more and more festivals and events in the many communities we serve. On May 27 we will be visiting Bass River for the International Peace Keeping Day celebration at the Veterans’ Memorial Park. If you have not visited this lovely and peaceful park, make it a destination this summer and view the wonderful tribute to all military members and their families.
In July, Outreach Services will be back in Pictou on the 7 and 8 for the Black Battalion Ceremony and the Annual Lobster Festival. July will also see our Cape Breton Site attending the Mira Park Days and then we will be visiting Tatamagouche for the Exhibition and Tattoo on July 21 and 22. Finally, to wrap up this busy season, Outreach will be attending the Cape Breton County Exhibition on August 18 and 19.
Be sure to keep an eye out for us in the next couple of months and always stay connected to Outreach Services for up-to-date information on what is going on in your community. For more information on any of the activities we will be attending, please contact outreach@halifaxmfrc.ca.
On Tuesday, April 3 the Cape Breton Site MFRC hosted an Easter-themed Ready, Set, Know. This program provides military families with the opportunity to come together and connect, gain insight and share resources surrounding the military lifestyle. H&R MFRC volunteer Maryann Couture (top left) along with military family member Stacey Tippeneskum (top right) and Stacey’s children Sarah, Kya and Michelle attended this activity. Thanks for coming out and participating in Ready, Set, Know!
Unit Family Reps (UFRs) gathered at the Halifax Site MFRC on Thursday, April 26 for the bi-annual training session. A big thank you to all who attended and made this training session a success!
During a Deployment: Learning to Cope with the Absence
Work-related separations are a true fact of life when it comes to military families. Once the Cycle of Deployment begins, it is common for family members at home to experience a bit of confusion, loneliness and appetite disturbances. However, there is also a recovery and stabilization phase characterized by feelings of increased confidence, independence, competence and freedom. As the deployment comes to an end, individuals begin to anticipate homecoming and can experience feelings of joy, anxiety and excitement. Have a look at the tips below to help your family through a work-related separation.
Tips for Couples:
* Communicate - keep in touch about everyday events and share your feelings to maintain the emotional bond.
* Try to end phone calls on a positive note. It may be a long wait before the next call.
* Enjoy freedom and independence. Develop new skills.
* Offer empathy and support to family, friends and colleagues in need.
* Reassure your partner of your love and commitment.
Tips for Parents:
* Plan to have some family time with the children before the homecoming.
* Put forth extra effort to stay in touch with children.
* Show appreciation for the correspondence your loved one sends you and refer back to things they have said in previous communications to indicate your interest.
* Remember the importance of the amount and frequency of expressions of affection.
Positive Growth Opportunities:
Many parents worry about the negative impact that work-related separations may have on children. However, deployments offer many positive growth opportunities. Several studies show that despite the distress during separation, many children make significant developmental gains.
Positive Aspects of Separation:
* Fosters maturity: military children encounter more situations and have broader/more varied experiences than children from non-military families.
* Induces growth: military children learn more about the world and how to function within a community at an earlier age. Taking responsibilities in a parent’s absence provides a chance to develop new skills and develop hidden interests and abilities.
* Encourages independence: military children tend to be more resourceful and self-starters.
* Encourages flexibility: in an ever changing environment, military children tend to learn the importance of flexibility in dealing with day-to-day life.
* Prepares children for separation they will face during their lifetimes. In lifestyles where deployment and relocation are experienced, military children learn not only to say goodbye, but how to begin friendships anew.
* Strengthens family bonds: military families make emotional adjustments during a separation, which often lead them to discover new sources of strength and support among themselves.
These and other tips can be found online in the Deployment Resources Section of the H&R MFRC website www.halifaxmfrc.ca. For additional information on deployment, please email deployment@halifaxmfrc.ca
Military Family Identification Card
The Military Family ID (MFID) is recognized nationally so military families can use it across the country to identify yourself as a military family member and participate in the Military Discount Program that is offered at a variety of local businesses.
The MFID is available to immediate military family members only, including spouses/common-law partners and children who are ages 13 and over, of both Regular and Reserve Force members.
You can get your MFID at the following Halifax & Region MFRC Site locations:
Halifax Site, Windsor Park: 7am – 10pm (7 days per week)
Shearwater Site: 8am – 4pm (Monday – Friday)
Cape Breton Site: Tuesday & Wednesday, 9am – 12pm (September – June)
Thursday, 9am – 1pm and 6pm – pm (September – June)
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 8am – 4pm (July & August)
Please remember that the military member must be present to sign the card at the time of issue. The process takes approximately 15 minutes.
Unit Family Reps (As of April 26, 2012)
ARMY
1st (Halifax-Dartmouth) Field Artillery Regt: Sgt Larocque, Sgt Birt
1st Battalion, The NS Highlanders: 2Lt Pring
The Cape Breton Highlanders: Sgt Reid, Sgt Macdonald, Sgt Bailey
3 Intelligence Company: Sgt Morash, Pte Fitzgerald, Padre Leblanc
3 Military Police Unit: Padre Ashton, Sgt Sparkes
33 Field Ambulance (Halifax): Sgt Debbie Ross, Cpl Lindsey (Alternate)
33 Service Battalion (Halifax): Cpl Baird, MCpl Beaini
35 Field Ambulance (Sydney): Cpl Thomas
36 CBG HQ: CWO Lelievre
36 Service Battalion (Sydney): Sgt Walsh, Sgt Craig
45 Field Engineer Squadron: PO2 Morris, Sgt Standing
72 Communication Group Headquarters: WO Oicle
723 Communication Squadron (Halifax): Sgt Simms, Sgt Maclean
725 Communication Squadron (Glacebay): Sgt McNeil
CFB Halifax Det – Sydney: PO1 Kelly
CFRC Sydney: Cpl Melnick
Regional Cadet Support Unit: Cpl Fraser
The Princess Louise’s Fusilier (PLF): Capt Lutz
The Halifax Rifles: Sgt Clarke
NAVY
CF Naval Engineering School Halifax: Lt(N) King, PO1 Darcy, PO2 Patenaude
CF Naval Operations School Halifax: PO2 Glover, PO1 Cushing
CANFLTLANTHQ (MOG 5): PO2 Hebert
Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic): Cpl Daly
HMCS Athabascan: Lt(N) Morel, MCpl MacAleese
HMCS Cornerbrook: LS Richards, MS Rumbolt
HMCS Fredericton: PO1 Pottinger
HMCS Goosebay: LS Gosleigh, MS Nowlan
HMCS Iroquois: CPO2 Wright
HMCS Moncton: Lt(N) Degg
HMCS Montreal: LS Robert, LS James (Alternate)
HMCS Preserver: PO2 Conway,
HMCS Scotian: MCpl Nippard
HMCS Toronto: MS Hawke, LS Patten
HMCS VDQ: SLt Rozee
HMCS Windsor: MCpl Nancy Latreille
Maritime Forces Atlantic HQ: LCdr Gates
Sea Training Atlantic: PO1 McGuire
AIR FORCE
12 Air Maintenance Sqn: Sgt Halvorsen, WO Westbrook
144 Construction Engineer Flight Pictou: Cpl Mackenzie, Cpl Boudreau (Alternate)
406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron: MCpl Mansfield, Capt Khalil
423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron: MCpl Philibert
Helicopter Operational Test and Evaluation Facility: Capt Voisard
OTHER UNITS
84th Independent Field Bty: PO2 Monette
Assistant Judge Advocate General Halifax: CWO Auger
CFB Halifax/FADO: MS Cull
CFB Halifax/FCE: MS Williston
CFB Halifax/FLOG/TEME: Cpl Saikaley
CF Health Services: Lt(N) Shelli-Dawn White
PEIR: 2LT Dwyer
MFRC Activities and Resources
Unit Family Rep Bowling Event
Stadacona Bowling Alley
When is the last time you played bowling? UFRs are invited to come and join us for an evening of fun at the Stad Bowling Alley on Monday, May 28. Bring your family along for memorable times. The Stad Bowling Alley features six lanes with black lights, glow in the dark bowling balls, a cybersphere that lights up the alley and a great stereo system! This activity will be offered at no cost to all UFRs and their families. Pizza and refreshments will also be served! Don’t miss out on this great activity! Please note that you must register early, as capacity is limited.
Monday, May 28, 6-8pm
Registration: Contact Mike Dulude, 902-427-7795 or email michel.dulude@forces.gc.ca to register. Please indicate how many individuals will be bowling.
Stress.calm
Halifax Site MFRC
Military families experiencing deployment
This interactive program offers a proven and effective, skills-based approach to managing stress. Through self-awareness, behaviour change and skill-building, participants will explore the link between stress and performance, examine stress within a military context, and learn about the stress response. Various relaxation and stress management techniques and strategies will be explored and practiced. Childcare will be provided at no cost to participants.
Sunday, May 27, 9:30am to 11:30am
No cost to participants
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 24, 8:00am. Call 427-7788 for more information and to register
Ready, Set, Know
Officer’s Mess, Victoria Park Garrison
Military family members are invited to join us for Ready, Set, Know, a monthly program that offers information and resources on how to prepare and understand some of the joys and challenges associated with the military lifestyle. Whether you are experiencing a deployment, or you are interested in hearing personal insights from members of the military community, come and join us! This is a great opportunity to gain insight and resources and also share your own experiences with others, while enjoying coffee and snacks.
Tuesday, June 5, 6:30pm
Call 902-563-7107 for more information and to register.
Community Events
Antigonish Farmers’ Market: May 5 – December 2012
Exhibition Grounds, James Street, Antigonish
Beginning May 5, the Antigonish Farmers’ Market will be open every Saturday 9am to 1pm until December. With over 50 vendors, there is something for everyone at the market, from baked goods, jewellery, fresh produce, and much more. Visit www.antigonishfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Feis A’Cholaisde Ghàidhlig – Gaelic Celebration: May 7 – May 13
St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, NS
Come out and enjoy this very special weeklong event that will share NS Gaelic culture. Throughout the week there will be Gaelic activities for adults and youth, including workshops, concerts, dancing and more. Visit www.gaeliccollege.edu for more information.
Sharon United Plant Sale: May 12
326 Maple Avenue, Tatamagouche, NS
Come and checkout the annual plant sale at Sara Bonnyman Pottery from 9am-12pm. Here you will find a variety of perennials from some of the nicest gardens throughout Tatamagouche. Visit www.sarabonnymanpottery.com for more information.
Maritime Bead Festival: May 18 – May 20
Holiday Inn and Convention Centre, Truro, NS
Be sure to stop in the Maritime Bead Festival in Truro, the first show of this kind to be held in Nova Scotia! The festival will feature local bead artists, jewellery designers, workshops and more.
Festival of Paragliding and Air Sports: May 18 – May 21
121 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS
Bring your family out and enjoy a variety of activities surrounding flight, including paragliding, hang gliding, kites, ultralites and remote control planes. Visit http://pegasusparagliding.com for more information.
