MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Maxwell-Gunter’s newly established Integrated Resilience Center is reshaping how support services are delivered across the installation by centralizing key helping agencies under one roof, improving accessibility, collaboration and readiness for Airmen, Guardians, civilian employees and their families.
The Integrated Resilience Center, located within the Integrated Resilience Office, brings together the Housing Advocate, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office and other resilience-focused services into a single, coordinated support hub designed to reduce barriers to care and strengthen prevention efforts.
“By co-locating helping agencies into one facility, the Integrated Resilience Center creates a more connected, collaborative and accessible support network,” said Dominique Torres, 42d Air Base Wing Integrated Prevention and Response Director.
Previously, many helping agencies operated independently across multiple buildings, often requiring individuals to navigate separate offices to find the services they needed. Leaders say the new integrated model streamlines that process while also promoting proactive resilience and mission effectiveness.
“The IRC supports the Department of the Air Force co-location model by enhancing access to services and training and the ability to collaborate with other helping agencies,” said LaNesa Howard, Maxwell-Gunter installation Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “One of the most important goals of co-location is to promote an environment that is accessible, trauma-informed and promotes trust in seeking supportive resources.”
In addition to improving convenience, the center includes dedicated training spaces that increase opportunities for education, outreach and skill building while strengthening partnerships among prevention and response agencies.
According to Torres, the center’s mission extends beyond crisis response by emphasizing prevention, resilience and long-term community well-being.
“The center moves beyond the traditional model of isolated support services and instead fosters an integrated approach focused on prevention, resilience, readiness and overall mission effectiveness,” said Torres.
Leadership involvement has also played a critical role in the center’s early success. Installation leaders have actively supported outreach initiatives, prevention campaigns and resilience-focused events designed to normalize help-seeking behaviors and encourage community trust.
“Leadership approved the IRC and provided proactive involvement, resource allocation and resilient leadership to ensure supportive, accessible and collaborative support,” said Howard. “This makes it easier for Airmen, Guardians, civilians and family members to ask for assistance and receive help in a confidential environment.”
Officials say the center will continue evolving to meet the changing needs of Team Maxwell-Gunter while reducing duplication of services and maximizing resources across helping agencies.
“Resilience is a foundational concept that is critical to working through hardships, healing and recovery after experiencing trauma or hardship,” said Howard.
As Maxwell-Gunter continues investing in resilience infrastructure, the Integrated Resilience Center represents a long-term commitment to strengthening both individual well-being and installation readiness through unified, community-centered support.
The IRC is located in Building 902 on Maxwell, and can be reached at 334-953-9822