Weekly Ombudsman Update we 040204

Welcome to the weekly PACAREA TACLET Ombudsman update for week ending 04/02/04!

Again, I apologize for the length, but I'll be away next week on a house-hunting trip and as such there will be no update next Friday.

Thanks for all the kind words I received this week from so many of you! It's great to hear that this information is getting out there and that our families are taking advantage of all the neat opportunities available to us. So don't hesitate to hit reply if you found something useful - or if you've got something to share. For example, I'd love to hear from anyone who stopped by the Fitness XPO on Wednesday. I had a great time - how about you?

ASYMCA APRIL EVENTS:

Click here to visit the Armed Services YMCA page on the Ombudsman website to download the April Activity Calendar (MS Word format). All volunteer activities include free transportation from the local bases. If you have any questions, please call 619-232-9084.

What is the ASYMCA? The San Diego Armed Services YMCA serves the recreational, education, social, and spiritual needs of junior enlisted personnel and their families through a variety of programs and services in the San Diego area. For almost 80 years, the San Diego Armed Services YMCA has supported service men and women by helping them to cope with the many personal challenges presented by their services to our country. Among the services ASYMCA provides:

Family Outreach Programs; Free and confidential counseling services to military families in their homes; Short Term Counseling for Families, Couples and Individuals; Crisis Intervention; Budget Management; Emergency Food, Diapers, and Formula; In-Home Parenting Classes; Parenting Classes for Pregnant Active Duty Personnel; Special Events, Fun Social Activities, and Volunteer Opportunities - and much more!

Visit their offices at 3293 Santo Road, San Diego, call them at (858) 751-5755, or visit them online at www.asymcasd.org to find out more about this wonderful organization.

WHAT'S ON SALE AT THE COMMISSARY THIS WEEK:

Click here to view the weekly sale flier for local DeCA commissaries.

MWR THIS WEEK: Whitewater rafting on the Kern River; Spring Fling Children's Party; all you can eat ribs; Nickel Creek concert; Mission Beach Teen BBQ; and don't forget the Bay Bridge Run/Walk on May 23. No fooling - MWR has lots of great stuff for you and your family! Click here for all the details.

FREE HOME BUYING SEMINAR:

Buying a home is something that many people dream about. However, the home buying process can often be confusing and difficult. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) workshops help homebuyers to understand qualification requirements, money management, real estate terminology, and much more. All participants will receive a certificate of completion that meets the education requirements for most City, County, and State homebuyer assistance programs (MCC, Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance, etc.)!!

To register for this FREE seminar, or for additional information, please call CCCS at (619) 497-0126 ext. 45 or visit them online at www.moneymanagement.org

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

April is Emergency Preparedness Month in California. Does your family have an Emergency Plan? Will they know what to do in case of fire, flood, earthquake, or terrorist attack - especially if their spouse is deployed? Click here for resources to help you and your family get ready.

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:

April is the Month of the Military Child. The military child is subjected to a variety of education challenges not experienced by the general population. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is working to solve the challenge of helping schools and military installations deliver accurate, timely information to meet transitioning parent and student needs, and in the development and education of children from military families. Their purpose is to share information in order to develop systems and processes to resolve transition issues for military students. As early as 7th grade, mobile students can begin falling behind in curriculum requirements, and this can jeopardize everything from when they graduate from high school to what college they can attend. Let MCEC help.

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That's it for this week! Please remember there will be no Update next Friday. I will be monitoring my email and cell phone, so don't hesitate to contact me.

Semper Paratus,