Fort Gordon pre-kindergarteners and their teachers led the Pledge of Allegiance during the Fort Gordon Army Family Covenant anniversary ceremony Nov. 19. Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Fort Gordon celebrated all the accomplishments of the Army Family Covenant's first year at the Gordon Club on Nov. 19. "The Army Family Covenant has had a significant impact on Fort Gordon more so than any other installation," said Col. John Holwick, garrison commander. When he first heard about the covenant, he thought it was more of a "strategic communication plan to advertise what we've already done," he said. "It provided funding to double the size of the Army Community Service staff and provide the same range of services only found at the larger posts."

Leading players in the effort to implement the initiatives set forth in the covenant included ACS and Children, Youth and School Services.

Vanessa Stanley, Fort Gordon's ACS chief, outlined some of the highlights in her department over the past year.

Eight Family readiness support assistants were added to the staff and about a dozen employees became part of the new Soldier and Family Assistance Center.

The respite care program spent $127,000 for 12,000 hours of respite care to Families in the Exceptional Family Member Program. A resource library with videos for Families of deploying Soldiers to utilize was brought on board to make items readily available.

The Army spouse employment program forged partnerships with local businesses to benefit spouses seeking jobs.

Mary Crowder, Children, Youth and School Services director, spoke about the initiatives within her organization.

"In FY 09, 135, 144 and 232 capacity child development centers and a 150 middle school/teen center, as Fort Gordon attempts to take care of military Families, will soon break ground," she said.

One center will be located near the Gordon Club, a second will be on the campus of Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center and the third will be located south of 45th and Avenue of the States. "The much needed 150 capacity middle and teen center will provide for military youth in sixth through 12 grades and have a high school regulation sized basketball court," she said.

Other highlights from CYSS included the elimination of program fees and reduced patron fees.

"ACS does so much, but ultimately it's the leaders of Soldiers, the squad leaders, platoon leaders, company commanders and first sergeants who have the ultimate obligation of ultimately reaching out to Soldiers and Families," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon commanding general.