National Newsletter
National Newsletter | Issue #11
Welcome to 2022!
A fresh, new year is full of opportunities and possibilities. Our Blue Star Families team loves setting goals and casting our vision for our work to guide us into the months ahead.
Have you set any goals for 2022? If not, there's always time. January offers an excellent opportunity to reflect on areas for change, growth, and complete evolution in your life.
What it means to be part of a military family is constantly unfolding. At Blue Star Families, we grow with you by adapting to your needs. This year, we're making some exciting changes to our programs! Currently, we're revamping Blue Star Outdoors-formerly known as Blue Star Parks. This is a mighty move because we recognize the value of finding tranquility, community, opportunity, and belonging for all in outdoor spaces everywhere.
From the tropical setting in San Diego, to the blossoming landscapes in Okinawa, extended falls in Virginia, and so much more, we want to be part of your journey. Blue Star Outdoors offers more inclusivity to all that is to be discovered in the great outdoors. Get out there and explore today!
While you're connecting as a family and with nature, be sure to snap and share your views on social media using #ILoveBSF. That way, we can all stay connected even when we're far apart.
We can't wait to see your adventure in America's backyard and around the world!
???? The BSF Team
Our friends at Aura are offering you two years of complimentary access to its easy-to-use, all-in-one digital security protection to keep your family's personal information, devices, and finances safe from online threats. *Supplies limited.
Like so many, we've been diligently watching the news to gain a sense of understanding as our country is amid yet another rise in COVID-19 cases and a new variant. Join our panel of experts who'll discuss how this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic affects military- and Veteran-connected communities.
As we continue to process the end of the war in Afghanistan, many feel compelled to take action to support our Afghan allies as they resettle here in the United States. Join Blue Star Families and Welcome.US at our third forum focused on specific ways you can help the resettlement effort. Hear first hand stories from our allies and those supporting them, and learn how YOU can support their transition. More information coming soon!
During the summer of 2021, Blue Star Families fielded the Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Military Families of Color Survey, the first of its kind that recognizes the unique experiences and needs of military families of color.
We invite you to join us virtually on February 2nd for a two-day event as we release the results and hear from military families of color in their own words.
Internet Safety Workshop for MilFams
Mark your calendars for February 8th (Internet Safety Day) as we present the "Mastering Internet Safety as a Military Family" workshop! More details coming soon.
Thanks to the generous support of Amazon and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, we created a food insecurity resources page to help military families find the resources and information they need.
Join Blue Star Families for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 17th. Food insecurity is a challenge for many military-connected families across the country, and we want to ensure they're getting the support they need. To fight food insecurity among military families, we're activating Blue Star Volunteers across the country for #MLKDay.
Thank You, Blue Star Partners!
We're grateful for the support of Amazon, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Salesforce, and USAA. Because of the generous gift of these partners, we hired Charo Bates, Applied Research & Social Impact DEPLOY Fellow; Quiana Abner, National Chapter DEPLOY Fellow; Leslie Wightman, Technology DEPLOY Fellow; Nicole Rawlinson, Blue Star Outdoors DEPLOY Fellow; Kelley Klor, Amazon Food Insecurity DEPLOY Fellow; and Brandy Tillman, Communications DEPLOY Fellow. We're excited they're a part of our team, and we enjoy seeing the positive impacts they're making on the military- and Veteran-connected
With Coursera, you can build upon your skills with courses from top universities like Yale, Michigan, Stanford, as well as leading companies like Google and more. Train in IT infrastructure, project management, social media management, Google analytics; the opportunities are endless. Complete your no-cost registration today - availability is limited! You'll then be contacted regarding how to activate your complimentary enrollment.
Applications are now open to join our friends at Civics Unplugged for the Civic Innovators Fellowship! This 3-month deep dive on civic innovation empowers high school students with the tools, training, and community to build a brighter future for humanity. Held from February to April 2022, the program is entirely free and virtual.
Learn more and apply or nominate a young civic superhero by February 1st. Fellowship slots are limited, and Civics Unplugged prioritizes early applicants.
We're Building a Place You Can Call "Home"
We're working behind the scenes on an online community just for our members - Blue Star Neighborhood. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to learn all about it and how you can join!
A military family's economic security is critical to mission readiness. Access this toolkit from Military Onesource, which helps define economic security issues and provides tools and resources to leaders and service providers that can assist service members and their families on their financial journey.
As a Blue Star Neighbor, USAA continues to support our mission. We value USAA's dedication to honoring military families across the country. Learn more about USAA by visiting its website today. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of many!