Class is in session, Home Making 101

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Students who attend school know to arrive at class on time, and to come prepared with notepad paper, pen and pencils.

But for students attending Home Making 101 at Dover Air Force Base, they should come prepared with their appetite, knife and fork in hand.

Team Dover members and their families have an opportunity to change their house into a home, through Home Making 101.

This may be one home make-over class you don't want to miss.

Class Begins

Home Making 101 is available to teach Team Dover members and their spouses how to develop better family relationships, improve organizational skills and learn how to cook simple meals through a six-week course.

"Whatever the need, we are ready to help," said Vera Bell, a Chapel volunteer for 15 years at Dover AFB and head coordinator for the program. "We help to identify the weak areas and start working from there."

Students can learn in the comfort of their own home. Many have also traveled to their mentor's home to learn by example and observation.

Students and their mentors discuss when and where they generally want to meet once a week, she said.

"Anyone who wants to learn, improve homemaking skills, refresh what they already know or want to volunteer to help others are welcome to attend," said Mrs. Bell. "We try to make it as personal as possible by providing a homemade meal at our meeting."

Protestant women of the Base Chapel host a meeting once a month at Chapel 2 for newcomers and current students to attend.

Building the Course

It all began from a phone call made by Susan Holliday, 436th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center director, to (Lt. Col.) Chaplain Ronald Harvell, 436th Airlift Wing chaplain, about a young Airmen in need of homemaking skills.

As a result, the developing outreach program of Home Making 101 was born with the help of two home economics education majors, Mrs. Bell and Kathie Cocklin, wife of Col. James Cocklin, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander.

"We got together and started working on a booklet," said Mrs. Bell, who has taught home economics for seven years. "We're opening doors to help young military families by soliciting experienced women, who have had over 150 years of homemaking skills combined, to make this program possible."

The Chapel staff welcomes interested individuals to share their skills to help, she said.

"God has given me this gift and allowed my heart to reach out to the young people who may have problems with homemaking skills," said Mrs. Bell. "I see a need for those to establish a foundation for their future as they raise their children or may be just setting up a home so they may be able to take better care of their families."

The next class is May 5 at Chapel 2. Free childcare is provided. For information or to sign up, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 677-6930 or the Chapel 677-3932.