The Comox Military Family Resource Centre is hosting an open house to introduce the new Deployment Services Centre to Canadian Forces families and members, community services colleagues and the public.
The new facility brings all deployment services to one location for easier access for clients, and provides a place where those dealing with deployment can come for information, services and support.
"Military life means frequent absences for many families while members are serving overseas, training at other locations in Canada, or on temporary duty," says deployment services co-ordinator Kassandra Dycke.
"These absences can place significant strains on families and create special challenges for families with children and teens or elderly parents requiring care."
The Deployment Services Centre offers access to resources such as a deployment-specific library to aid in navigating this unique experience, a care packaging station to help families stay in touch, a warmline calling centre where volunteers provide outreach during absences, and a lounge where family members can meet for peer support with a safe play area nearby for the kids.
Video teleconferencing and in-house childcare facilities continue to be available for families.
Everyone is welcome to drop in Feb. 1 during either the morning open house from 10 a.m. to noon or in the evening from 6 to 8 to see the new Centre, learn more about the services available to military families during a deployment, enjoy refreshments and enter to win a door prize.
The Centre is located in the Fitness & Community Centre (swimming pool) across the parking lot from the Canex on Military Row at CFB Comox.
— CFB Comox