Photo By Cpl. Nikki Morales | Marines and Sailors listen to guest speakers at the single parent retreat hosted by...... read more read more
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Marines and Sailors of all ranks attended a class sponsored by the Chaplain’s Religious Education Development Operation for single-parents on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jan. 25, 2018.
The event was a two-day retreat for single parents paid for by CREDO.
The first day consisted of parents sharing their stories and receiving advice from other single parents who are in similar positions. Participants also took part in classes about the resources they may qualify for.
“It shows the single parents that the military cares about them and values them,” said Navy Capt. Russell Graef, group chaplain with 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “It gives them a chance to have some of their questions answered. Whether it’s a legal question, a parenting question or is an issue that they are wrestling with that they don’t know where to turn, they can come here and they can get some support and get answers to their questions.”
During the second day of the retreat, the Marines and Sailors took the Single Marine Program’s bus to The Children’s Museum of Wilmington and spent the day with their kids.
“The retreat is absolutely what I expected it to be, it’s a learning experience, a way to grow and better yourself,” said Sgt. Dakota Clark, a single parent who helped organize this event. “It’s awesome for our kids to get that social experience, and that’s why I am excited for the museum.”
All single active-duty Marines and Sailors who are parents are encouraged to attend this retreat.
“I’d recommend this to all single parents,” said Graef. “Some are single parents through divorce, some have not married and some their spouse has deceased, but that doesn’t matter, this retreat welcomes them to gain insight.”
According to Graef, some of the challenges that single parents face are not normally recognized by those who have never experienced being a single parent.
“Single parents have unique needs that other Marines and Sailors may not have or other parents may not have,” said Graef. “This kind of retreat is able to answer some of their questions and give them insight for how to navigate the challenges that they face.”
One of the Marines who faces some of the challenge of single parenthood is Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wall.
“It’s not easy,” said Wall. “I‘ve got a little girl and I’ve never raised a little girl before. She’s rowdy. She’s awesome. And she has the ability to be awesome and terrible at the same time and it’s amazing. It’s hard, but I am fully confident in what I am doing and everything I’m doing in my life right now is to better that child.”
The service members who attended the event were surprised by what the retreat had to offer them.
“This event exceeded my expectations,” said Staff Sgt. Shanikqua Gardner. “I thought it was going to be just someone telling me what I needed to do as a single parent, but coming here I feel like a human. I don’t feel like that normal robot that I typically am with my children. I feel like there are others around me who have the same exact story that I have, just looking for help.”
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2018 14:34 |
| Story ID: | 264312 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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