CFC helping Home Away From Home

The Combined Federal Campaign’s mission is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing federal employees the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

Tinker’s Home Away From Home program is one beneficiary of the CFC. Home Away From Home seeks to ensure young Airmen and Sailors have a safe environment and someone who cares about them during their first years on base. Providing a home away from home can help alleviate stress in order to better accomplish the mission. Since its inception three years ago, HAFH has served over 400 Airmen and Sailors and 73 host families. Executive Director and co-founder of the sponsor program, Pam Kloiber, volunteers at least 25 hours of her time every week reaching out and engaging with young Airmen, Sailors and potential host families. This includes hours spent at the First Term Airman Center and Navy INDOC, as well as Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs – anyone else who is willing to participate.

As a full 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, HAFH has no source of income and no administrative costs. Ms. Kloiber explained that various costs are incurred through this program, and funding from organizations like the CFC help tremendously.

Ms. Kloiber said the biggest cost, however, is new to their 2017 plans. A goal to “increase, improve and enhance,” HAFH is looking to increase their activities per month. Currently the sponsorship program requires one to two engagements per month, and HAFH hopes to add an additional activity each month. On top of the activity cost, meals are also provided, which Ms. Kloiber noted contributes to the great sense of camaraderie and networking.

Something new to come in 2017 is its partnership with the American Red Cross. Teaming up with Richard Unda with the Red Cross, Ms. Kloiber said complimentary Red Cross programs are in the works to hone in on communication and decision-making skills. This would provide young Airmen and Sailors with the opportunity to become certified as Red Cross volunteers for two years. Certification includes CPR, APD and disaster relief.

An extension to what is currently available, the CFC funds, Ms. Kloiber said, are essential to the success of the program.

“Everything we do, every program is sanctioned, but it is all contingent upon funding.”

Aside from funds received through CFC, Ms. Kloiber remarked that their five-person board is continuously applying for grants and donations to contribute to the future of the sponsorship program.

If families are interested in hosting young Airmen and Sailors, they must pass a background check to ensure they would provide a safe and suitable environment. This is a non-negotiable cost.

“It’s very important for both parties to be fully committed and accountable during their entire time at Tinker,” Ms. Kloiber explained. “We want consistency and continuity in involvement.”

She is currently working with 15 other bases to model programs like HAFH. One base has already launched its own sponsor program with Ms. Kloiber’s guidance. Each installation has to abide by JAG, AFI and commander’s rules before implementing any new sponsored program.