Blue Star Stories

Welcome to our blog where you'll find the stories from the lives of our Blue Star Families.

Meal Planning Tips for Military Families

January 21, 2022

Meal Planning Tips for Military Families At the end of a busy day, one of the most dreaded questions that comes up is, “So what’s for dinner?” The mental load of getting through the day gets compounded when you also have to think about what to cook, whether you have all of the ingredients, how…

Read More

Unpacking Emotional Baggage: Why #MilSpouses and #MilKids Need Mental Health Care Support

January 21, 2022

Unpacking Emotional Baggage: Why #MilSpouses and #MilKids Need Mental Health Care Support Life as a military family has many benefits, but it also creates unique emotional debts that can result in mental health concerns. Most military spouses and families bravely forge ahead, which can lead to burying any trauma and pain experienced along the way.…

Read More

Military Communities and the Little Free Pantries Movement

January 14, 2022

Military Communities and the Little Free Pantries Movement “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”  – Coretta Scott King   Honoring the legacy of Coretta Scott King’s late husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with volunteerism and the forging of strong communities is an everyday goal…

Read More

Blue Star Welcome Week Helps Empower a #MilKid Blue Star Volunteer

January 14, 2022

Blue Star Welcome Week Helps Empower a #MilKid Blue Star Volunteer Belonging is a basic human need. And without a sense of belonging, we humans can quickly experience isolation and a host of other negative outcomes including loneliness, depression and, in some cases, even suicide.  Our military families often feel a lack of belonging and…

Read More

A Focus on Belonging: Mental Health and Wellness DEPLOY Fellow Wants All #MilFams to Feel at Home

January 12, 2022

A Focus on Belonging: Mental Health and Wellness DEPLOY Fellow Wants All #MilFams to Feel at Home Meet Janessa. She’s a Navy spouse, toddler mom, and served as the Blue Star Families’ Mental Health and Wellness DEPLOY Fellow, a position made possible by Starbucks. In the last decade, mental health within the military community has…

Read More

Starting Off the New Year Right: Progress for Military Spouse Employment

January 3, 2022

It’s official! The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has approved the study of employer discrimination towards military spouses in more detail to provide recommendations that advance solutions. This action only happened because military spouses spoke up and shared their experiences with us through the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey.   Listen. Share. Partner. Act.  At Blue…

Read More

Speaking Up: Raising Awareness About Food Insecurity Affecting Military Families Today

December 23, 2021

Speaking Up: Raising Awareness About Food Insecurity Affecting Military Families Today It’s hard to imagine, but some military families worry about putting food on the table.  In addition to facing deployments, time away from family and friends, and moving every few years, military families are struggling financially..  As a new military spouse, Rachel expected to…

Read More

Missed Moments: Blue Star Families and Sleep Number Aim to Provide Support Through the Hardest Times

December 23, 2021

Missed Moments: Blue Star Families and Sleep Number Aim to Provide Support Through the Hardest Times Imagine being separated from your spouse and children for months with just 24-hours notice because your job demanded it. Most couldn’t imagine doing so, but our military families endure these experiences regularly. It’s hard on spouses who become single…

Read More

Nourishing Foreign-Born Military Spouses: Culturally-Inclusive Food Challenges

December 20, 2021

Nourishing Foreign-Born Military Spouses: Culturally-Inclusive Food Challenges The comfort of familiar foods is a connection to family and culture. Whether certain dishes are your favorites from childhood or the scent takes you back to a happy moment, the feeling goes beyond just a full stomach. Sharing a meal is a ritual, and foods are part…

Read More