Outreach events provide ounce of cure for family issues Published Sept. 24, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Many outreach services exist to raise education and awareness about family issues in both the general population and among people at risk for domestic violence. These courses deal with potential issues in relationship and family life to make life easier and stem the tide of potential conflict. Upcoming classes and programs include: LIFT -- Life is Fun Together provides relationship and marriage education and real-world skills through workshops, information and referral services, ongoing support, and the LIFT library. LIFT is coaching provided by Family Guidance Center of Alabama and a partnership with Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative. Umbrella drive -- The base's Integrated Delivery Systems will conduct an umbrella drive Oct. 4 - 27 to support the Family Sunshine Center, a nonprofit organization that exists to end family violence in seven Alabama counties. Umbrellas can be new or used in good condition. Drop-off sites are: Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Equal Opportunity Office, the Medical Group Atrium, the Health and Wellness Center, the Maxwell Library, the Maxwell Commissary and the Gunter Community Center. RU Ready for Love? -- This free relationship enhancement group starts Oct. 5 and will be held in six sessions. Topics for discussion include healthy relationships, expectations for marriage, communication skills and emotional safety. The group is for base population members that are single, engaged, dating or widowed. This program is conducted by the Family Guidance Center of Alabama and the Family Advocacy Program. Stress management class - The class will be held in two different sessions at two different sites: at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Gunter Community Center, and at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Health and Wellness Center classroom. The class is designed "to help people learn techniques to de-stress themselves" at home, work and school, with an emphasis on healthy lifestyles, said April Jones, outreach manager. The course, conducted by the Health and Wellness Center and the Family Advocacy Program, includes healthy refreshments provided by the HAWC. Baby and you orientation - The orientation will be 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center for expectant active-duty members and their spouses. Nurse Gwendolyn Hill will share medical and informational aspects of pregnancy, including services available on base, nutrition, finances and pregnancy stress. Gift baskets will be provided by the Air Force Aid Society and the Airman and Family Readiness Center, and snacks will be provided for free. Though the class is advertised to new parents, the parents can be expecting "the first or the tenth baby," said Beverly Lesyea, family advocacy officer. Expectants dads class - The class for active-duty men who are expectant fathers will be 3 - 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Medical Group's Mental Health Clinic. A great deal of information will be covered, including what moms and dads go through, pregnancy changes, delivery, baby care, bonding and a father's role. Expectant dads get to wear an empathy belly to feel the simulated physical strains. The class will be presented by nurse Gwendolyn Hill, who runs a home visitation program to help military parents of infants through age 3.