Blue Star Stories

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

Yves | Salesforce Consultant

January 19, 2023

Meet Yves. She’s an Army spouse who was making ends meet until she heard about a free program that helped change her family’s financial trajectory for the better. Despite having her Master’s degree, Yves had to make many compromises in her professional career because of the nomadic military lifestyle she married into 19 years ago.…

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Priscilla | Business Analyst

January 9, 2023

Meet Priscilla. She’s an Army spouse who faced her financial challenges head-on by proving that the unicorn job she desired – remote, flexible, and well-paying – exists and is now hers.    That’s right. Priscilla, who was studying to be a lawyer and then a teacher, is now a business analyst at HigherEchelon. That’s all because…

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An expecting Lydiah poses in the middle, standing alongside her husband, son, and eight other soldiers at her baby shower.

An Unseen Issue: Navigating Life as a Foreign-Born Military Family

January 4, 2023

When Kenyan-born Lydiah Owiti arrived in the United States, she had 12 days to learn how to drive a car, find a grocery store, and discover American customs. After day 12, her husband returned to Kuwait. Play Now Imagine arriving in a foreign country, armed only with passing information on what life is like for…

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New Year, New Opportunity to Prepare for the Unexpected

December 30, 2022

For military families, the uncertainty of frequent moves, deployments, and other unexpected events can make saving for the future feel like a never-ending obstacle. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget and save money. Here are our top tips for doing just that, using the new year as a new opportunity to…

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Zanade Mann poses, sits at a desk in front of a laptop.

An Interview with Zanade Mann, DEPLOY Fellow of the New York Tri-State Area

December 22, 2022

Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion is making significant headway in its second year, with a new cohort of DEPLOY Fellows taking on initiatives in various realms. The DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellowship Program is one of the five focus areas of the Campaign for Inclusion, and…

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Have Yourself a Merry Holiday Season

December 21, 2022

Wow! Can you believe it’s almost Christmas already?   The holiday season is in full swing, and I am sprinting, trying to keep up. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be a little stressful (okay, maybe a lot stressful). I will be the first to admit I feel like I’m…

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A family of eight poses together in front of a holiday backdrop.

Start the Conversation Now: Ways to Connect This Holiday

December 20, 2022

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes asking unique, engaging questions is just one of many ways we can better connect with neighbors, friends, and family. In a recent collaboration with Kohl’s, they created an innovative family health and wellness initiative, Kohl’s Healthy at Home. Along…

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DEPLOY Fellow Andrea poses in a colorful graduation gown and sashes.

Using Culture and Influence to Drive the Campaign for Inclusion

December 16, 2022

“At the age of 6, I was told to stop speaking Spanish,” shares Andrea Unzueta, San Diego DEPLOY Fellow for Blue Star Families. “They said, ‘This is the U.S., we speak English here.’ Play Now As a young, first-generation student, Andrea is no stranger to feelings of isolation. Her family immigrated from Mexico to California…

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Mickia poses in front of a palm tree

Leaning In To Military Moms’ Experience To Better the Community

December 2, 2022

Military moms hold a lot of influence, and for one of Blue Star Families’ newest recruits, they’re the reason she still stands. Play Now Mickia Freeman joins the 2022-2023 class of DEPLOY (Diversify and Expand the Pipeline Of Leaders Of Your Military Community) Fellows, serving the Tampa Chapter. She credits her mother and the countless…

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