Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Blue Star Families?
Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization founded by military families in 2009, dedicated to empowering military and Veteran families by fostering connections with civilian communities and providing essential resources to navigate the unique challenges of military life.
Through advocacy, research, and community-driven initiatives, BSF works to ensure that military families feel supported, connected, and equipped to thrive — no matter where military life takes them.
Membership & Getting Involved
Becoming a BSF member is easy and free! Simply visit The Neighborhood and sign up to join. As a member, you'll get access to exclusive perks, events, and a supportive community of military-connected families.
A blue star family is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service.
- Active-Duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel
- Military family members, including:
- Parents
- Spouses
- Children (ages 18 and older)
- Siblings
- Extended family members
- Veterans and their family members
- Civilian supporters, including:
- Caregivers
- Donors
- Employers
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Volunteers
If you care about the military and veteran community, Blue Star Families is for you!
Yes! If you care about the military and veteran community, Blue Star Families is for you! As a civilian, you play a central role in helping your military-connected neighbors feel welcome. By extending a friendly hand and embracing your military neighbors, you contribute to a sense of belonging that strengthens community bonds and helps everyone thrive. Joining Blue Star Families is an excellent way to show your support. You can learn more about how you can do your part at DoYourPart.com.
No! Membership with Blue Star Families is completely free. We’re here to support and empower YOU with valuable resources, programs, and events — at no cost to you.
As a member, you’ll gain access to:
- Exclusive Perks & Discounts on entertainment, travel, and family-friendly experiences
- Free access to programs designed just for you
- Career & Employment Support for all members
- Events & Community Meetups to connect with fellow members
- Volunteer Opportunities to get involved and make an impact within BSF
Explore all the benefits by joining The Neighborhood today!
Blue Star Families regularly posts job openings. You can check the Careers page for current paid positions and application details.
We love our volunteers! If you’d like to get involved, check out our volunteer community. Whether you want to help with local events, mentor other families, or support online initiatives, there’s a place for you at BSF.
The best way to stay in the loop is by checking the Events Page in The Neighborhood for upcoming activities. You can also follow us on social media and keep an eye on your inbox for member newsletters packed with the latest updates!
If you’re interested in hosting a Blue Star Families event, please reach out through the Contact Us form on the website.
There are many ways to get involved and support Blue Star Families:
- Ways to Give – Donate to help fund vital programs and support military families.
- Volunteer – Lend your time and skills to support events, programs, and local initiatives.
- Join a Local Chapter – Connect with a BSF Chapter near you and be part of the community.
- Join The Neighborhood – Become a member and access exclusive resources and support.
- Become an Outpost – Start a BSF presence in your community to support local military families.
- Join the Do Your Part Initiative – Support initiatives that drive change for military families.
- Adopt the 4+1 Commitment – Encourage businesses to commit to hiring and supporting military spouses and Veterans through workplace inclusion and career advancement.
- Become a Brand Partner – Collaborate with Blue Star Families to create impactful programs and initiatives.
Every contribution — whether time, resources, or advocacy — makes a difference in the lives of military families.
Blue Star Families is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
Each year, more than 600,000 military families move to new communities. Blue Star Welcome Week seeks to bolster military families’ sense of belonging to their local communities by forging strong connections between our military family members and their local neighbors. It features a variety of events and activities as well as awareness initiatives to support military families as they settle into new duty stations.
To learn more and see how you can participate, visit the Welcome Week website.
No matter where military and Veteran-connected families are located, Blue Star Families’ national programs ensure they have access to the resources, connections, and support they need. If there isn’t a Chapter in your area, you can still get involved by joining virtually or starting a Blue Star Families Outpost to bring BSF’s programs to your community. Our Chapter directory makes it easy to find the nearest Chapter, and we encourage members to stay connected through their local Chapter or Outpost group in The Neighborhood — our virtual community platform.
National programs play a vital role in ensuring that military families, regardless of location, have access to high-impact, evidence-based support. The Neighborhood hosts hundreds of virtual events annually, helping families stay engaged and supported no matter where they live. Additionally, BSF’s Outposts expand our reach by empowering local partners with grants to create tailored, community-driven programming that meets the unique needs of military families in their area.
Some of BSF’s flagship national programs include:
- Blue Star Outdoors – Connecting military families to nature through accessible outdoor experiences that promote well-being and social connection.
- Blue Star Museums – Offering free admission to military families at museums nationwide each summer, fostering cultural enrichment and family bonding.
- Caregivers Empowering Caregivers (CEC) – Offering military caregivers vital peer support, resources, and self-care opportunities to reduce isolation.
- Blue Star Welcome Week – A nationwide initiative helping military families build community and feel a sense of belonging wherever they move.
This dynamic model strengthens BSF’s impact and sustainability, ensuring that families can access essential resources, peer support, and community connections both in-person and virtually. Whether through local Chapters, Outposts, or national virtual programming, BSF remains committed to fostering belonging and well-being.
Perks: Programs & Resources
BSF members have access to exclusive perks, including discounts on entertainment and travel, career and education resources, health and wellness support, family programs, and more.
Check out The Neighborhood to explore and start making the most of your membership!
Signing up for programs is easy! Join program groups in The Neighborhood to connect with others and stay updated on upcoming opportunities.
Blue Star Families provides a wide range of support, including career resources, wellness programs, local events, and opportunities to connect with others who understand military life. Whether you're looking for employment support, community engagement, or resources to help navigate challenges, we are here to help.
Explore all available support by joining The Neighborhood to connect with programs, perks, and opportunities near you.
Yes! Blue Star Families is committed to supporting the well-being of our members through mental health and wellness resources, including:
Peer-to-Peer Support Networks – A space to connect with others who understand military life, offering support and shared experiences.
Headspace Subscription – Members can access a free subscription to Headspace, providing guided meditation, sleep support, and mindfulness exercises.
Spiritune Subscription – Members can access a free subscription to Spiritune, a music app that combines principles of music therapy and neuroscience to help you feel great, focus better, and relax easily.
To explore more wellness-focused resources, visit The Neighborhood and stay connected with available programs.
Yes! Blue Star Families provides career resources and support for all our members. Whether you're looking for career training or networking opportunities, we offer tools to help you grow professionally.
To explore available career resources, visit The Neighborhood to connect with others, and check out our latest career resources designed to help you succeed.
Impact & Research
The Military Family Lifestyle Survey is an annual research effort conducted by Blue Star Families to gather data on the experiences and needs of military-connected individuals and families. The results help inform programs, policies, and resources aimed at supporting these families.
You can support our research efforts by participating in our surveys, interviews, and focus groups throughout the year — and encouraging others to join in, too! Keep an eye on your inbox for invitations, and if you’re not already receiving our emails, sign up here to stay in the loop.
The information collected from surveys is analyzed and used to identify trends, challenges, and areas for improvement within military family support. The findings inform program development, advocacy efforts, and partnerships to enhance the quality of life for military families.
Community & Local Chapters
Blue Star Families has Chapters across the U.S., plus Outposts in other areas. Chapters provide local events and connections, while Outposts help bring BSF’s mission to more communities.
To see if there’s a Chapter or Outpost near you, check out our Chapter directory. If there isn’t one nearby, you can start an Outpost or join an Outpost near you and help build a local community!
To stay connected, join your local Chapter or Outpost group in The Neighborhood!
Starting an Outpost is a great way to bring BSF to your area! Outposts help create connections, resources, and events for members who may not have a Chapter nearby.
If you're interested in starting one, please visit our Outposts page to learn more!
The easiest way to connect is by joining your local Chapter or Outpost group in The Neighborhood. This is where members in your area share updates, resources, and events.
You can also attend local BSF events, join a volunteer opportunity, or explore programs!
You can check out The Neighborhood’s Events page to see what’s happening near you. Whether it’s a workshop, community meetup, or volunteer opportunity, this is the best place to stay in the loop.
Make sure to join your local Chapter or Outpost group to get updates on new events as they’re announced!
Technical & General Support
You can log into your Blue Star Families account by visiting The Neighborhood and clicking the “Login” button at the top right. Enter your email and password to access your profile, perks, and community groups.
You can change your password anytime by heading to your settings here:
Just enter your current and new password to update it.
If you’ve forgotten your password, simply go to The Neighborhood login page and click “Reset password.”
Follow the prompts to reset your password and regain access to your account.
If you’re still having trouble, contact [email protected] for further assistance.
For questions about membership, program eligibility, or general inquiries, please reach out to our team — we’re happy to help!
You can update your email, location, and other details directly in The Neighborhood by following these steps:
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select “My Profile” from the dropdown menu.
- Once on your profile page, find the section you want to edit.
- Click "Edit" next to the relevant section.
- Make your changes, then click "Save" to update your information.
Keeping your profile up-to-date ensures you receive the latest updates and opportunities from BSF!
To cancel your membership email [email protected].