Blue Star Stories
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…
Read moreBlue 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…
Read moreA 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…
Read moreStarting 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…
Read moreSpeaking 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…
Read moreMissed 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…
Read moreNourishing Foreign-Born Military Spouses: Culturally-Inclusive Food Challenges
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 moreAlong for the Ride: Military Life is Hard; Blue Star Families Can Help
Along for the Ride: Military Life is Hard; Blue Star Families Can Help “The hardest part of being a military family is honestly having plans ruined,” said Felicia, a military spouse. Military families spend many moments apart, moments that many of us take for granted—holidays, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and even just family dinner. “We learn…
Read moreWhen Facing Time Apart, Blue Star Families is There to Bring Families Together
When Facing Time Apart, Blue Star Families is There to Bring Families Together Imagine being separated from your spouse for nearly two years because your job demanded it. Most couldn’t imagine doing so, but our military families endure these separations regularly. It’s hard on spouses who become single parents and can be excruciating for the…
Read moreMaking the Most of Time Together
Making the Most of Time Together Deployments are hard on military families. For Dawn like so many military spouses she struggled to find ways to remain connected to her deployed husband. Eventually that struggle led to severe anxiety attacks. Have you ever heard a civilian friend or family member vent about nights or weeks away…
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