JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2025
April is National Month of the Military Child, a nationwide month-long celebration that recognizes and shows appreciation for the many challenges that military children face. At Liberty Military Housing, we are committed to providing a supportive environment for military families, ensuring that military children have access to resources and opportunities for growth and enrichment year-round. Our teams participate in Month of the Military Child each year by wearing purple shirts, hosting events, and providing additional resources for the children in our communities
We understand the impact that the military lifestyle can have on children and the sacrifices that they make. According to the Military Child Education Coalition, there are approximately two million children that are part of a United States military family around the world, including those who are stationed overseas. As a result of active-duty parent’s and/or guardian’s permanent change of station (PCS), these children move three times more than their civilian peers. This means constantly adjusting to new places, new schools, and making new friends. In addition to moving many times, deployments bring their own unique challenges. The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) shares that "family routines are disrupted, and the remaining parent is left to manage the household and childcare on their own. Children may fear for the safety of the deployed parent, and younger children who can’t understand why the parent is leaving may fear that they won’t return. When they do return, the reintegration process has its own difficulties.” Studies by BioMed Central have shown that these stresses can lead to children developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression as they manage and navigate military life. Facing these challenges, Military One Source considers military children “some of the most adaptable and resilient youth in the world.” They also provide tips and resources for military families to ease stress, such as connecting to a support network, getting involved in programs, and military life podcasts and other media resources
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How Can We Help?
Do you have a needed repair, a suggestion, or a concern? Liberty Military housing is committed to enriching the lives of military families through providing homes and vibrant communities Your feedback is an important piece in helping us accomplish this goal, and we want to ensure we provide you with an avenue to initially address your needed repair, suggestion, or concern and the process to escalate it, should that be necessary Below is an outline of our easy Three-Step process for concerns and opportunities for feedback
STEPONE ContactyourDistrictHousing Office
LewisEast:253-912-3485
LewisEast@LiveLMH.com
LewisMain:253-912-3460
LewisMain@LiveLMH.com
LewisNorth:253-912-3475
LewisNorth@LiveLMHcom
LewisWest:253-912-3493
LewisWest@LiveLMH.com
McChord:253-589-0523
Mcchord@LiveLMH.com
DiscoveryVillage:253-292-6100 DiscoveryVillage@LiveLMHcom
MtBaker:253-300-5299 Mt.Baker@LiveLMH.com
LibertyAtYourService 1-888-578-4141(24hrs)
STEP TWO If the issue is incomplete contact LMH General Management Office: 253-912-2111
STEPTHREE Iftheissueisstill unresolvedcontact ResidentialCommunities Initiative 253-967-2524
We recognize the strength that it takes to be part of a military family, and we are thankful for your dedication, support, and service to our country To show appreciation for their bravery, we have created a certificate of recognition that you can present to your children in honor of Month of the Military Child
Scan the QR Code to print at home or visit the Liberty Military Housing District Office to pick up a certificate today.
Sources: Celebrating Month of the Military Child | Military OneSource, MCEC Facts About Military Connecpdf, Parental military deployment as risk factor for children’s mental health: a meta-analytical review | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Full Text , The Effects of Military Life on Child Development and Mental Health - ASYMCA National Headquarters
District Office Designations
MARCH 3RD - MAY 1ST
OMB Control Number: 0704-0553 OMB Expiration Date: 5/31/2025 Submit your survey and you could have a chance to
CEL & Associates, Inc. will conduct a weekly drawing out of those who have submitted their Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Each week the winners will be awarded a $50 gift card. After the TSS survey closes, CEL will conduct two more grand prize drawings. Two winners will be awarded a $750 gift card and a $250 gift card.
If you did not receive the CEL email by March 3rd, email ArmyHousingSurvey@celassociates.com to obtain a survey link. You must provide your installation name, resident name and home address. CEL requires this to verify that you are a current resident.
to all of our winners whose names were drawn in the weekly TSS drawings so far!
T. Watson
N. Toupou
H. Yoon
S. Mize
W. Charon
D. Muhammad - Miller
S. Wentworth
J. Laughridge
J. Walker
T. Osima
S. Klein
C. Garruto
A. Smith
J. Diaz
R. Argavan
E. Sopoaga
J. Klein
B. Boman
S. Card
E. Villa Flores
T. Aiava
T. Boyden
M. Gilstrap
N. Phelps
212 New Homes Coming Soon to Meriwether Landing
Exciting News for JBLM Military Families!
We’re breaking ground on 212 brand-new homes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord!
Located within JBLM North’s Meriwether Landing community, these spacious duplex-style homes will feature four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, two-car garages, and fenced backyards with covered patios Plus, the neighborhood will include new parks, playgrounds, and improved community access, making it an even better place for military families to call home.
Construction begins this spring, with the first homes move-in ready by early 2026. Stay tuned for updates as we continue building for those who serve!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON WINDOW OPENING CONTROL DEVICES
Welcome to your new home! Liberty Military Housing (Liberty) is committed to keeping our residents informed and educated in an effort to help prevent any potential accidents or injuries while living in our community. Our homes that have windowsill heights of 25” or lower have Window Opening Control Devices (WOCD) installed. WOCDs are designed to limit the opening of windows. If you feel your home is missing a WOCD or one has been damaged, please contact your District Office for immediate assistance. Here is what you need to know:
•These locks are installed on windows with windowsill heights of 25” or less from the floor.
•Liberty is in the process of installing WOCDs on windows with windowsill heights of 25” to 42”.
•These devices meet ASTM F2090-2008, 2010, and 2017 standards for egress in the event of a fire; as such, they are NOT child-proof, and the standard precautions apply.
INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS ON OPERATING WOCDS
WOCDs are set to limit the window opening to no more than 4” If it becomes necessary to override the WOCD for emergency egress, follow the instructions below to open the window fully
For horizontal slider windows:
1.To fully open the sash, disengage the window opening control device
For vertical slide locks:
2.Open the sash
To engage: The WOCD unit will automatically engage when the window is closed
3.Close the sash. The window opening control device automatically resets
To disengage: Press the dot to disengage the WOCD
To disengage some versions of WOCDs, the operator must push in a red colored button while simultaneously pushing on the white arrow located next to the yellow dot on the device. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the type of device you have in your home and contact Liberty if you have any concerns
Note: Only disengage the WOCD in an emergency!
TAKE THE CHALLENGETAKE CHARGE APRIL 26
LibertyMilitaryHousingandtheTakethe ChallengeNowFoundationhavepartneredfor thesecondannualTaketheChallenge-Take Charge,aten-dayscreen-freechallenge.This challengereinforcesthebenefitsofreducingor eliminatingscreentimeandpromoteshealthy waystoconnectwithfamilyandthe community.
Researchshowsthataperson’smental andphysicalhealthsuffersthemoretime theyspendconsumingmediaondigital devices.Reducingoreliminatingscreen timeimprovessleepquality,productivity, andmood
Throughoutthechallenge,individuals andfamiliesareencouragedtoreplace
- MAY 5, 2025
screens with daily activities, including reading, physical activity, and community engagement.
Liberty team members will also take a break from screens outside regular business hours, and we encourage those in and around our communities to join the challenge too.
Liberty Military Housing values family togetherness and is committed to improving the health and well-being of our residents by continuing to provide resources such as Take the Challenge - Take Charge to strengthen the bonds within our military families.
YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US!
Want to make sure your voice is heard? Did you have a fantastic experience and want to tell us about it?
Liberty Military Housing has teamed up with SatisFacts to provide online Resident Satisfaction Surveys at the time of move-in, service in your home, and at move-out Your feedback is essential in helping us achieve our goals to provide military families with exemplary service and a quality home environment Surveys are automatically sent to your email from SatisFacts Residents can also receive survey notifications via Text. Look out for more details from SatisFacts.
Fill out a survey and you could win $500!*
*Contact your district office for more information AprilistheMonthoftheMilitary
AllLibertyMilitaryHousingteammemberswillbewearingpurpleshirtsevery WednesdayinAprilincelebrationoftheMonthoftheMilitaryChild.
StopbyanyofourresidenteventsduringthemonthofApriltopickupaMonthof theMilitaryChild,CertifcateofRecognition.
APRIL FREE BULK DROP-OFF
APRIL HOURS OF OPERATION
Wednesday, April 30th | 3pm-7pm Saturday, May 3rd | 9am-3pm
*FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. ONCE DUMPSTERS ARE FULL, WE WILL CLOSE*
RESIDENTS ONLY. Residents must sign the items drop-off form and provide their JBLM home address.
Must provide a list of items being disposed of at the time of drop-off.
Disposal of accepted items only.
Must be able to lift and dump all items yourself or with an accompanied person.
Location: Corner of N 5th and Pierce Ave in the Greenwood Neighborhood
ACCEPTED
Furniture (3 per household)
Bagged Items
Recyclables - Please breakdown boxes
Household Trash
Bicycles
Grills - (For gas, ignitor must be removed)
QUESTIONS?
A WORD FROM OUR WEST ARMY PARTNERS
Recreating on JBLM
By: Kiley Westergaard, DPW Environmental Division, AGEISS
April is an ideal time to get outdoors and explore the natural beauty JBLM has to offer Whether it is hiking, walking, birdwatching, playing at the park, or taking your pups to the dog park, there are plenty of ways to connect with nature. As you enjoy these outdoor spaces, remember to leave nothing behind and take nothing with you. Here are some easily accessible outdoor spaces to enjoy during April.
McKay Marsh is located across the street from the Lewis Army Museum on Lewis North The trail is about 1.5 miles, and you can explore native plants and watch for birds in the marsh. This trail requires obtaining a permit on the i-Sportsman app. Register at jblm.isportsman.net.
Madigan FIT trail is padded and runs along Murray Creek Agility stops along the route can be added to your workout to make it more intense Keep your eye out for signs of wildlife in the creek, beavers frequent this area!
The Porter Hills Trails, located near Carter Lake Elementary School on McChord, are serene and quiet. The trails have three options: yellow, green, or orange and range from 13 to 175 miles
Russel Landing or Shoreline Park at American Lake are great areas for a relaxing day at the park. These spots have picnic tables and a playground with a beautiful view of the lake. Russell Landing also has a boat launch, a sand volleyball court, and freshwater lake fishing.
The gazebo at Morey Pond on McChord is another outdoor area to enjoy watching wildlife and birds with the bird blind.
The Lewis dog parks have two fenced-in areas with agility training equipment. The McChord dog park has a large open area for dogs to run and enjoy.
JBLM offers something for everyone to get outdoors and enjoy nature As you explore these scenic spots, remember that keeping them clean helps preserve their beauty for others to enjoy. By picking up trash or any non-natural items left behind, you can make a meaningful impact on preserving these green spaces. Additionally, participating in restoration events is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while helping improve and protect the environment.
Join JBLM Environmental this Earth Day at Morey Pond! We will be restoring the area by removing invasive species and cleaning up trash. To register or for more information, email usarmy.jblm.id-readiness.list.dpw-edpr1@army.mil.
