Published: September 13, 2024
By Jillian Johnson
What does feeling welcome look like for you? Is it being greeted at the door by your spouse after a long day of work? Maybe it’s finding a local café where the barista remembers your name and your usual coffee order, or being invited to your neighbor’s barbecue.
For military families, welcome can look like all of these — plus having a supportive community that understands the unique challenges military families face when it comes to relocation.
Every year, more than 600,000 military families move to a new duty station, upending their lives and requiring them to adapt quickly to new environments, forge new connections, and navigate the challenges that come with relocation — registering their kids for school, finding health care providers, securing child care, and maybe even finding the perfect place to live.
Now, imagine having to do this every 2 ½ to 3 years on average!
At Blue Star Families, we recognize the unique challenges of relocation firsthand, as many of us are military spouses, Veterans, and family members who have navigated these experiences ourselves. That’s why each year at the end of September, we host Blue Star Welcome Week. Blue Star Welcome Week was created to recognize the 600,000 military families that move each year and to encourage the surrounding communities to come together and help these families feel welcome and find a sense of belonging in their new surroundings. We’re celebrating five years of hosting this new American tradition, and we want you to join us!
Our research shows that 70% of military families live off base, so it’s essential to foster a supportive network that helps them integrate smoothly into their new communities. During Blue Star Welcome Week, there are activities designed to connect military families with local resources, organizations, and other residents, planned by our national team, Chapters, and the community!
You’re probably reading this and thinking, “how can I get involved?” There are so many ways you can welcome military families into the fold. Whether you’re a military family yourself, a Veteran family, a civilian supporter, local business, or a partner organization, here are five simple yet effective ways to make military families feel connected in their communities:
- Sign a welcome card
Sometimes, a simple note of encouragement is all it takes to help our military families feel welcome and supported. Our virtual welcome card is seen by military and Veteran families all around the globe. Take a few moments and let military and Veteran families know you’re thinking of them here. - Volunteer with a local Chapter
If you live near a Blue Star Families Chapter, get in touch and ask how you can help! Check out this map and click on the red star of the Chapter closest to you to get started. - Drop off/invite them for a meal
Moving is hard, and the last thing a military family wants to do after a long day of moving and unpacking is cook. If you see a new family moving into your community, offer to bring them a meal, invite them to dinner, or even offer them a recommendation of a local restaurant. You’re helping them more than you think. - Join the Blue Star Neighborhood
The Blue Star Neighborhood isn’t just for military families! Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a service member, spouse, family member, Veteran, or civilian supporter. The Blue Star Neighborhood is a great place to meet military and Veteran families in your area and find resources that can support your needs and interests, and help you support the needs and interests of military families in your area. Whether you’re looking for community events, local services, or just a friendly place to connect with others who share your values and experiences, the Blue Star Neighborhood offers a welcoming environment for all. - Host a block party
What better way to welcome a new military family into the neighborhood than by hosting a block party and introducing them to their neighbors? It’s a fantastic opportunity to foster a sense of community and camaraderie, with activities and food that bring everyone together. By creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere, you not only help newcomers feel at home but also strengthen existing connections among residents. If you’re unsure where to start with planning a block party, check out this toolkit for helpful tips and resources on everything from organizing activities and managing logistics to ensuring a fun and engaging event for all.
There are plenty of other ways to get involved with helping military families feel welcome and get connected in their local communities! Check out the Blue Star Welcome Week website for more ways to help raise awareness and help military families feel welcome all year long.
Posted In: Blue Star Welcome Week