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By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & Innovation For more than a decade, military spouse unemployment has remained above 20% — that's several times higher than the national average. And despite years of awareness campaigns and hiring initiatives, many military spouses are still struggling to build stable, long-term careers. That's why the latest research is so important. It show

By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & InnovationIf your spouse is getting ready to deploy, the weeks leading up to it can feel like a whirlwind. Between briefings, packing lists, workups, and trying to spend meaningful time together, it's easy to forget the practical things that can make deployment life easier.The truth is, you'll never have everything figured out, but getting a

By Danice Langdon | Program Manager, GFR ChapterBlue Star Families of the Greater Fayetteville Region was honored as Nonprofit of the Year at the 2026 Annual Awards Banquet hosted by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. This recognition reflects the collective impact of our military families, volunteers, partners, and community supporters who make this work possible every day. It is a tes

By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & InnovationMilitary life is filled with moments of pride, purpose, and service, but it also comes with real challenges for the families standing beside those in uniform. From frequent relocations to employment shifts and childcare hurdles, military-connected families juggle a lot as they support our nation's defense.That's why our latest reso

By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & Innovation​Deployments don't affect just one person; they touch the entire family. Spouses are thrust into shouldering additional responsibility, parents are balancing feelings of pride and worry, and children are forced to understand why someone they love and rely on is so far away. Maintaining connection during deployment isn't always easy

For nearly two decades, Blue Star Families has been listening to military and veteran families through our Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS). The findings of the 2025 MFLS, Quality of Life and the Future of Service​, reinforce a long-standing reality: financial strain remains the most persistent challenge facing military families. 📊 Just 62% of active-duty families report being financially

We’re excited to announce the newest additions to our National Advisory Board — seven extraordinary individuals with diverse perspectives, a powerful mix of expertise, and an unwavering commitment to advancing military and veteran family initiatives. Our newly appointed National Advisory Board members include:Gadi Dechter, Vice President for Communications and Government Affairs at Princeton Unive

Every moment of connection, every family supported, every voice lifted — it all happened because of you! To our military and veteran families, neighbors, volunteers, and partners: thank you for showing up and making this community what it is. We couldn't do this without you.

The Walt Disney Company announced its participation in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena with its “Disney Celebrates America” entry, designed as a patriotic tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary. This vibrant entry celebrates the country’s semiquincentennial in uniquely Disney ways, leaning into the dreams, stories, and optimism that have touched the lives of people across the co

By Jillian Johnson, Digital Marketing Specialist, Blue Star FamiliesGrowing Up GamingMy name is Jill, and I’ve been a gamer since I could hold a controller.My first memories of gaming are playing Super Nintendo in the living room of our three-bedroom house in Southern California with my stepbrother, stepdad, and sometimes even my mother. We would play well into the night on weekends, ordering pizz

By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & InnovationI absolutely love the holiday season. The warm glow of the oven, the sound of laughter in the kitchen, and the comfort of familiar flavors make the day feel like home, no matter where military life has brought us. This year, I wanted to share some recipes that balance cozy classics with fresh twists. Check out these three festive f

Blue Star Families is doing it big in honor of Veterans Day! We’ve teamed up with Ford and TikTok to host a benefit concert on November 7th at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.Our “Proud to Honor: Celebrating America's Heroes" concert will support veterans and military families. The event will be livestreamed on TikTok starting at 8:00 PM CT/9:00 PM ET. You can contribute

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Blue Star Families? Well, Bryn Mawr College, Kathy’s alma mater, did a write-up sharing the experiences that led her to cofound Blue Star Families.Her story of holding down the home front while her Marine husband was deployed is not uncommon. In fact, many of your lives parallel hers —frequently losing jobs and children changing schools due to PCS moves.

This Veterans Day, businesses across the country are showing appreciation for those who've served with special deals, discounts, and freebies. From meals and coffee to retail savings and travel perks, veterans, active-duty service members, and their families can take advantage of a wide range of offers. Below is a roundup of some of the best Veterans Day deals and coupons we have found — be sure t

By Sierra Martinez | Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & InnovationAccess to healthy, nourishing food is essential for everyone, and this government shutdown has many people — military and civilian alike — scrambling. Whether you're facing a temporary challenge or seeking ongoing assistance, Blue Star Families has compiled a list of reliable programs and resources to help. Below is a list of local

This week, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to expand its partnership with Blue Star Families as part of its extensive celebration of America's 250th Anniversary.Our current partnership with Disney includes unique events and experiences, including “Blue Star Books,” which brings military families together through the joy of reading and play. From Veterans Day 2025 through the July 4, 2026 w

By Tyler Hare, an Air Force veteran and Military Liaison at TalkspaceWhen someone in your family needs support, the last thing you should worry about is paperwork. From my own service and years alongside military families, I've learned that mental health isn't a luxury — it's part of readiness, parenting, partnership, and everyday life.Telehealth has changed the "how." Secure platforms now let you

To celebrate Blue Star Welcome Week, Kathy Roth-Douquet spoke to Jacksonville's River City Live on the many ways BSF supports military and veteran families in making connections in new surroundings."We bring people together, other military families, but also folks in the local community, just so that you have one friend in the neighborhood. We find that can make all the difference." - Kathy Roth-D

We're excited to announce our new partnership with Cohen Veteran Network (CVN) to make mental health services more accessible for military families.CVN is a nonprofit focused on supporting post-9/11 veterans and their families. They address various mental health concerns, including anxiety, PTSD, grief, and relationship challenges faced by military families.This partnership will enable joint progr

Penny Bolden will be presenting at MCON's Military Impact Summit on October 23rd, which brings together organizations dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and military families. She'll join Stephen Saunders from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, exploring programs that strengthen military families and improve quality of life, recognizing that veteran success cannot be separated from fam