Belonging Matters: You Can Help
Belonging Matters: You Can Help Did you know that most active-duty military families don’t feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian communities? In fact, over one-third (39%) of respondents to our 2019 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) told us they don’t know anyone well enough to even ask a favor. With “belonging” so…
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Meal Planning Tips for Military Families
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…
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Unpacking Emotional Baggage: Why #MilSpouses and #MilKids Need Mental Health Care Support
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.…
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Military Communities and the Little Free Pantries Movement
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…
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Blue Star Welcome Week Helps Empower a #MilKid Blue Star Volunteer
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…
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A Focus on Belonging: Mental Health and Wellness DEPLOY Fellow Wants All #MilFams to Feel at Home
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…
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Starting Off the New Year Right: Progress for Military Spouse Employment
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…
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Speaking Up: Raising Awareness About Food Insecurity Affecting Military Families Today
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…
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Missed Moments: Blue Star Families and Sleep Number Aim to Provide Support Through the Hardest Times
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…
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