Cristina Crist knows how difficult it can be for families when a husband or wife is deployed. Her husband, Henry, who is a special agent for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, is on his fifth deployment; and, with each one, she is responsible for everything related to their home ñ and their three children. Because of her experiences, Crist determined there was a need for an organized support system for families of the deployed. The director of the YMCA at the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center, Marti Wallner, had asked the staff how the center could reach out to the military community, said Cristi, who is part of the Meridian Ranch Child watch team and also helps with the front desk. ìI proposed the idea of creating a support group for the military families,î Crist said. ìSomewhere where they could come relax, meet other people; create friendships that would help them during the difficult time.î The director thought it was a great idea; thus, the beginning of Operation Homefront.Operation Homefront is a free support program for anyone who has a deployed relative: husbands, wives, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Although the program is based out of Meridian Ranch Recreation Center, it is open to everyone. There are no fees or requirements to become members of the YMCA or the recreation center. Since military personnel are often transferred across the county, extended family members are rarely nearby when a deployment occurs.ìMost often, we are located away from our family, so friends and surrounding community become the support system,î Crist said. ìI felt it was very important to provide a community through the YMCA for many reasons. It’s a chance for adults to meet with other adults who are in the same situation and who can sympathize and know exactly what you’re going through.î The group met for the first time in September, and Crist said they plan to meet once a month. ìIt varies when we meet. I try to check in with everyone to get the most attendance, usually the first week of the month, Friday or Saturday,î she said. During events, Crist plans activities for the children like a craft or something they can send to their deployed parent. ìFor our December event, ìBe Jolly by Golly,î I arranged for a magician to come for the kids, and we had a Christmas movie and snack time,î Crist said. ìThe kids had a playtime, and built with Legos.îOne of the families benefitting from Operation Homefront has faced deployment six times, Crist said. The husband has been gone since last June and wonít return until June 2014. The daughter has met other children who attend her school, so sheís building a support system at school as well, Crist said.Currently, Operation Homefront is comprised of wives of deployed husbands, but Crist said she hopes that husbands and other relatives affected by deployment will join. If the deployed person returns, the family is still welcome to participate. They never know when the next deployment will occur.Crist said there are often support groups on the bases, but Operation Homefront is convenient and allows people to connect within a closer community. ìIt’s a program very dear to my heart,î Crist said. ìThe YMCA and Meridian Ranch are very supportive of the military community and would like to provide them with as many resources as we can to support them during this difficult time. I’m here to help with the group, but I’m here outside the group, too. I’m hoping people create friendship and bonds that will support them now, later, whenever they need.î January’s event, ìBringing in the New Year,î will be held Jan. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center.For more information on the group, visit or call the center at 719-495-7119 or check out the program through Facebook at https://facebook.com/meridian.ranch/groups.
