JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Sebastian Franceschini’s mommy had an appointment, and he couldn’t stay with her.
But it wasn’t time for tears – it was cause for celebration. Images of choo-choos and Play-Doh danced in his 2-year-old head. He remembered the Armed Services YMCA Children’s Waiting Room in the Service Member and Family Assistance Building, located in Room 105 at 9059 Gardner Loop on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“I said, ‘Yes, that is exactly where we’re going today,’” said his mom, Melissa Franceschini.
Soon, Sebastian was playing with toys in the Children’s Waiting Room while his mom spoke highly of the free child care option during its Grand Opening Ceremony Jan. 27. The service is available for all active duty, veterans and family members with appointments at Madigan Army Medical Center.
The Children’s Waiting Room had a soft opening Oct. 15, 2024, and Melissa has been using the program since November. She commutes an hour, by choice, to receive medical care at Madigan, and she just had her second son, Nikolas Franceschini, Jan. 2.
“I had a toddler, and sometimes you can’t bring children to some of the appointments, and especially in your third trimester, some of the appointments go twice a week. And so I was wondering, ‘Well, what am I going to do?’” she said. “‘I’m a stay-at-home mom now and my husband works and I … don’t have child care, so what am I going to do?’”
It had been challenging for families to find child care, especially those new to the installation with medical appointments and no child care contacts, said Wes Wuco, executive director of the ASYMCA – Pacific Northwest.
Through discussions with JBLM Commander Col. Kent Park, it was realized that the SFAC building had the necessary space available, and there was “a large need at the hospital,” Wuco said.
The children’s waiting room is “going to make it easier and more flexible for parents” when making medical appointments, he said.
After Melissa saw a Facebook notification about the Children’s Waiting Room, she did some research. She found the registration process easy, the staff communicative, “and they treat my son like he’s their own,” she said.
“I have to say that it has been a huge stress-reliever for me and my family,” she said.
Children who are 6 months to 12 years old are eligible to come participate in free play at the Children’s Waiting Room from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Sebastian is one of 176 different children who have been checked into the Children’s Waiting Room, which has assisted parents “with well over 200 appointments,” Wuco said.
“He loves them and they love him,” Melissa said. “Both my kids are back there with them, and so I trust them whole-heartedly with my children, and so that speaks volumes of the services that are provided here. And so … I thank you so much for providing this service and opportunity.”
Those wanting to use the Children’s Waiting Room simply need to create online accounts with the ASYMCA, and then make their appointment-only reservations for the times needed. Caregivers should register children at least 48 hours before making their reservations, which should also be made in advance, according to the ASYMCA Pacific Northwest website.
The Children’s Waiting Room can be reached at 253-966-9707. It is closed on weekends, federal holidays and hospital training days.
To register with the ASYMCA – Pacific Northwest and reserve slots for the Children’s Waiting Room, visit: https://pacificnw.asymca.org/membership/
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