Hearts Apart counsels spouses of deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Hearts Apart, an Airmen and Family Readiness program for Department of Defense members and families, provides help with questions or concerns while a spouse is deployed, leaving for a remote assignment, or if their loved one will be on a temporary assignment. 
 
Hearts Apart provides many programs such as Give Parents a Break and Car Care Because We Care Program, said Michelle Schroeder, the Community Readiness Consultant with the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

"I just want to encourage people to come," said Ms. Schroeder. "It creates a sense of comfort knowing that there are other people out there going through the same thing others are going through. We can provide answers to questions they might have or be able to help out with the programs that we have." 

The Hearts Apart program is set up to essentially produce a comfort level for those who are missing their loved ones and answer questions that come up or to give advice. It also gives parents the knowledge about services around the base and contacts in case of emergencies. 

"I have attended some of the classes before this one but this is the first time that I have come alone now that my husband is deployed," said Casey Pitts, wife of Captain James Pitts, a protestant Chaplain at Sheppard. "I find that Hearts Apart gives me a different perspective on what I am experiencing right now." 

Hearts Apart also helps to put the people that are deployed at ease as well. This program offers video tele-conference phone and morale calls where family members can call from their homes for one 15 minute phone call a week. 

"My husband feels comfortable as well knowing that I have someone to talk to and to help me out if there is anything that I might need," said Mrs. Pitts. "It gives me a stable contact whenever I may need it for any question I might have about what is going on, how I feel, who to contact, and helps develop relationships with others that are going through the same thing." 

Hearts Apart is to let people know that they have a safety net and that they are not alone while their loved one is gone, said Schroeder. That encourages anyone to come join the meetings and see what the program is about, she said. Ms. Schroeder also said that anyone can participate in Hearts Apart through programs, events, or donations.