Supporting the entire Air Force family is essential for peace of mind
Jennifer Aubrey has worked as an Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) Officer and Community Readiness Consultant since 2007. Part of her role is providing financial counseling to those who seek assistance. People who visit her may not know the many ways that AFAS can help, including providing emergency assistance, education support, and community programs.
Until emergencies happen – unexpected medical bills, last-minute travel to visit a sick family member or having to rebuild a home destroyed from a natural disaster.
“The ability of the Air Force Aid Society to chip in to help the members make it through those difficult times is important because it allows [Airmen] to be mission-ready…so that they can do their job on a daily basis day in, day out,” Jennifer says.
The Society is also there to help dependent children and spouses work toward their dreams of higher education through grants, loans and scholarships. The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program is the centerpiece of the Society’s educational support initiatives and awarding education grants to eligible Air Force dependents based on the family’s financial need.
Making education more accessible is vital for these families, Jennifer explains. “It allows them to make a better living for themselves and have a better quality of life.”
The Society also assists spouses with entry-level job training to help them secure immediate, viable employment. “Community Readiness Consultants work with local colleges to set up a program for a limited number of spouses to receive a certificate in a technical field, such as a pharmacy technician,” Jennifer explains. “This allows spouses to bring in additional income, which also relieves financial stresses.”
According to Jennifer, the great benefit of AFAS is that they’re not only available to help families in need, “they take the step above and beyond to encourage the members to do things to help themselves get more in-depth information or knowledge about finances.”
As a benefactor of the education grants early in her career, Jennifer is grateful for how far the Society reaches to help Airmen.
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. AFAS works to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs. Since 2008, AFAS has provided more than $215 million in direct support to Air Force families. Visit www.afas.org to learn more, apply for assistance or to donate.