A&FRC Trains New Key Spouses May 19 Published May 13, 2009 By Rhonda Siciliano 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The next Key Spouse intensive training for new volunteer Key Spouses will be held at the Airman and Family Readiness Center from 9 a.m. to noon on May 19. The Key Spouse program is volunteer based and creates a peer-to-peer network for unit families experiencing duty-related separations. The program also enhances existing formal support systems and serves as a communication link between commanders, first sergeants and the unit families facing separations. "This is an organized program of Air Force spouses helping other spouses," said Dawn Andreucci, A&FRC Family Readiness coordinator. "It offers a non-threatening focal point for information, referral and support to unit families and provides a partnership between the Key Spouse, unit leadership and the unit as a whole to ensure that families have the support that they need during deployments or separations," she said. Each unit's Key Spouse will have an official appointment letter from the unit commander, attend Key Spouse training at the A&FRC and serve as an official liaison between leadership and families. "Bridging the gap between families and the official chain of command increases the sense of caring and connectivity within each unit," Mrs. Andreucci said. Marcia Bowlds, Hanscom's Key Spouse senior advisor, encourages individuals considering the Key Spouse program to participate. "I hope those interested in volunteering will consider this an opportunity to personally serve the Air Force families in their units by giving a few hours a month to this very important mission," she said. "The key spouse is a value-added member of our community -- a potential force multiplier." For more information, individuals should contact their first sergeant or call the A&FRC at (781) 377-4222.