Flint Hills Home Away from Home Program provides select community leaders an opportunity to provide Soldiers a home-away-from-home during their first enlistment. It gives the community members an opportunity to meet young men and women from Fort Riley.
Phyllis Fitzgerald, Program Coordinator, said the program was launched in Junction City in 2017. It is a collaborative partnership with Junction City, Fort Riley and Manhattan. "The intent is to help get them out of their barracks, out of the gates, out into our communities and learn what we have to offer out here."
Participant matches between Soldiers and families are based on their interest. Fitzgerald noted that a host family will communicate with their Soldier. "They'll make contact with each other and then they decide some of the things that they might want to do." Examples could range from home cooked meals to going to a ballgame or performance at the C.L. Hoover Opera House. The family becomes a local contact for the Soldier.
The official relationship lasts for the duration of time that the Soldier is stationed at Fort Riley but the relationship can last for many years.
To learn more visit the Facebook page or the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce page (military tab). You can also contact Phyllis via email, [email protected] or by cell: 785-307-1472
