Blue Star Stories
How You Can Turn a Military Move Into a Worthwhile Trip with Preparation
Welcome Vicki J., Army Veteran, active-duty Army spouse, and licensed social worker, to the Blue Star Families blog! As PCS season fast approaches and the stress of moving closes in, I would like to share some tips that have helped my family and I better navigate the relocation process. My husband just hit 20 years…
Read moreOperation Family Resilience
Military families, we’re checking in on you. Are you taking care of yourself? We ask because you may be feeling a bit heavy with everything that’s happened these last two years. It’s a lot, this pandemic and civil unrest, right? We feel it, too. Why has it hit our military community particularly hard? Because, as…
Read moreYour Voice Matters: The Importance of Participating in the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
Since 2009, Blue Star Families has been providing a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and challenges encountered by military families through the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (aMFLS). The results: Provide important insights and data that inform leaders, communities, organizations, and the philanthropic sector when assessing and acting on behalf of military and Veteran community…
Read more5 Meaningful Ways To Honor Military Appreciation Month
Military Appreciation Month kicks off today, Sunday, May 1st! To honor the men and women — and their families — currently serving in the armed forces, Blue Star Families and Operation Gratitude teamed up to share five meaningful ways to shower this community with small, but very worthy acts of intentional kindness all month long. …
Read moreMilitary Kids, Childhood Food Insecurity, and Resources to Help
Military Kids, Childhood Food Insecurity, and Resources to Help Military children are the highlight of the month of April. When military families serve around the world, military kids serve, too–moving on average every two to three years. These moves can be a challenge, disrupting school, relationships, and ties to their communities. Therefore, it’s no wonder…
Read moreBlue Star Families Partners with Kids in Parks, Giving You Yet Another Reason to Get Outside
Blue Star Families Partners with Kids in Parks, Giving You Yet Another Reason to Get Outside When was the last time you intentionally got outside as a family? As a parent, it’s easy to get wrapped up in everyday life and finding a way to fill the time that you “forget” about an excellent resource…
Read moreRanger Betty: Shaping Stories and Inspiring the Next Generation of Trailblazers
Ranger Betty: Shaping Stories and Inspiring the Next Generation of Trailblazers Our national parks tell the stories of people, communities, and movements while connecting us to the lands we call home. These places are only made more treasured by the people who bring them to life through interpretive conversation, education, and impactful storytelling. On this…
Read moreCelebrate Black History with Your Child(ren)
Celebrate Black History with Your Child(ren) Written by JP Morgan Chase and Co. DEPLOY Fellow, Brittney Aladetohun Famous historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson is best known as the father of Black History Month, an idea that he pioneered over 40 years ago. Did you know that Black History Month was only one week…
Read moreCelebrating Black Outdoor Leaders and Organizations
Celebrating Black Outdoor Leaders and Organizations By: Nicole Rawlinson, Blue Star Outdoors DEPLOY Fellow ‘Mirrors and windows’ is a phrase that often comes up in my line of work. What does it mean? It is a phrase that highlights the importance of diversity in the information and media we consume, the spaces we enter, and…
Read moreReducing Financial Pressure: Financial Resources and WIC Information for Military Families
Reducing Financial Pressure: Financial Resources and WIC Information for Military Families Various factors influence food insecurity, and one of the most frustrating excuses for the presence of food insecurity is financial mismanagement. Financial literacy is not the end-all-be-all factor in ending food insecurity in the military. What will help? Spouse employment. Affordable child care. Higher…
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