The latest Army Strong Community Center had its grand opening on May 14, 2011.  Over 300 people attended.  The center has a community pact between civic leaders and military commanders and an Employer Partnership Agreement matching attending companies with jobs for veterans. There are now four locations and a developed network of government and more than 420 community and agency social service resources.  Centers provide a children’s play area, secure computers for resumes or communicating with soldiers in the field, and on-site counselors to help navigate through social services and military benefits. 

 

We interview Barbara McCain,  Customer Support Coordinator for the newest Army Strong Community Center (ASCC).

 

How is Army Strong different than other service and veteran organizations?

Army Strong identified that there are a lot of web based resources, a  unit administrators in a particular unit and family readiness coordinator.  But the  Army Reserve and DoD  realized that there was a gap between unit based resources and web based resources.  The  unit administrator’s mission is not to assist soldiers with basic needs: when they are short on rent, their car breaks down; if they are struggling for money.  Cougar Cave services students with food, clothing and hygiene items.  We are not necessarily different in that we connect people to resources, we are different in that we have an actual physical location.  We got a grant from Sesame Street to create a play area so that we have a comfortable place for whole family to interact.  Parents can come in to use computers to search for jobs, get help preparing their resume.  The whole family can be together at the same time.

What is the history of Army Strong?

The first one opened in 2010. It was Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz’s, chief of the Army Reserve, and his wife, Laura’s, brainchild. She brought it to her husband.  As a family member of a reservist, I did not feel as if I was supported because we didn’t live near a facility.  Once my husband and unit went away, there was no support system. 

 

How many Army Strong locations are there?

The Oregon City, Oregon, ASCC is the only one west of the Mississippi and the only one of our models to be on a college campus.  All other branches of ASCC are on Reserve bases.  There are currently four Army Strong Centers at:

1. Rochester, NY
2. Brevard, NC
3. Coraopolis, PA
4. Oregon City, OR

Are there plans to set up more Army Strong locations?

The Army takes into account the population density of veterans and calculates the nearest military installation.  If it is greater than 200 miles away, then it is a potential location for new Army Strong facility.  There are plans for two more by end of 2011.  I don’t know beyond that what future plans are.  Laura would love to have it in every community.