Detroit Arsenal, Mich. – Taking a slightly different approach, the staff of the Detroit Arsenal Army Community Service took the celebration to the people today as they celebrated their program's 59th birthday.
“We decided to take our celebration on the road this year,” said Jenny Downey, Detroit Arsenal ACS division chief. “We took rolling marketing carts through buildings across the installation giving away birthday cupcakes, marketing items and information brochures to make sure people know what services we have and how we can help them.”
Garrison leaders joined the staff at several of the locations and helped share the ACS story. People stopped in the hallways to get a snack and recounted stories of how ACS has helped them and their coworkers. Some also took the time to thank the ACS staff for the work they do.
In addition to the marketing carts the staff hosted a Teams event in the morning to introduce the staff and share the different resources and services they have available for both military and civilians and had several table display through the installation in the afternoon to share information and add to the celebration.
ACS Programs
· Army Family Action Plan
· Army Family Team Building
· Army Volunteer Corps
· Employment Readiness Program
· Exceptional Family Member Program
· Family Advocacy Program
· Financial Readiness Program & Army Emergency Relief
· Mobilization, Deployment & Stability Support Operations
· Relocation Readiness Program
· Soldier & Family Assistance Center
· Survivor Outreach Services
History of Army Community Service (ACS)
From the pioneer days to the all-volunteer Army of today, humanitarian concern for the welfare of others has been a foundation of the Army's way of life. Army posts familiar to the pioneers were often isolated and located in hostile and dangerous environments. Seldom located near a civilian community, these protective fortifications had limited and infrequent communication with the outside world.
The early day Army was a closely knit, distinct, and generally self-sufficient society. The pioneer Army wife knew hardship in her environment, but she established an enviable pattern of personal sacrifice and compassion - still found in the Army spouse of today. For years, Army wives operated lending closets, thrift shops, and nurseries; raised funds to help the needy; assisted in emergencies; taught and trained the inexperienced; provided care and comfort to the ill and bereaved; and through a grassroots understanding of the Army community, contributed significantly to its stability. An adverse aspect of these social service activities provided by Army wives was that they often disappeared or stagnated when their originators transferred or left the service.
Army Community Service was designed to eliminate this adverse aspect and provide a flexible framework for operating a viable social services system. Changes in the Army community have been substantial, reflecting the changes in the larger society it serves. However, the most significant impact of these changes has been most apparent since 1940.
For more information about ACS programs at the Detroit Arsenal, please contact Jenny Downey at 282-6290.
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