Blue Star Stories
An Unseen Issue: Navigating Life as a Foreign-Born Military Family
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…
Read moreNew Year, New Opportunity to Prepare for the Unexpected
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…
Read moreAn Interview with Zanade Mann, DEPLOY Fellow of the New York Tri-State Area
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…
Read moreHave Yourself a Merry Holiday Season
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…
Read moreStart the Conversation Now: Ways to Connect This Holiday
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…
Read moreUsing Culture and Influence to Drive the Campaign for Inclusion
“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…
Read moreLeaning In To Military Moms’ Experience To Better the Community
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…
Read moreAppreciation for a Life in the Military
Did you know that around 1% or less of the U.S. population serves in the military? This means many people don’t understand modern military life and the challenges and opportunities associated with it. Many civilians think only of war or deployments when they think of the military. But it’s far from just that! While we…
Read moreOne Way Veteran & Military Families Can Save Big on Your Holiday Groceries at Amazon
Did you know? In a 2020 study, one in seven enlisted military families reported experiencing food insecurity. Now more than ever, with the rising cost of food and the expensive holiday season in full effect, our Blue Star Partners, like the Amazon Community Access Team, are asking how they can help those in need. Together…
Read moreCelebration Serves Up New Favorites, Toasts Lifetime Friends
Can Celebration get any more magical? It’s a question fitting for a night that was put on pause for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Here are some highlights from Blue Star Celebration 2022. Leading with an Emcee VIP CNN broadcaster, Blue Star Families…
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