Blue Star Families

May is #MilitaryAppreciationMonth, and Starbucks is honoring service members and the families who stand strong through moments of uncertainty. For every military eGift purchased in May, Starbucks will donate $5 to Blue Star Families to support service members, veterans, and their families. Because right now, showing up for one another matters more than ever. Whether you're sending an eGift to a friend, a spouse who holds it all together, or treating yourself, your purchase helps strengthen those who serve. Give an eGift. → https://sbux.co/4n3i2ka

Many service members prepare extensively for the logistics of transition — career moves, relocation, and next steps. What’s less discussed is the loss of built-in community, structure, and support that often comes with leaving the military — and the impact that can have on mental health. This Mental Health Awareness Month, Blue Star Families is sharing Mission Possible, featuring Rob Riggle. The PSA uses humor to highlight a serious reality: the transition out of service can be unpredictable, and no one should have to navigate it alone. ▶️ Watch the PSA: https://bit.ly/48BQw7o Learn more about Support Circles: https://bit.ly/48B2PAJ If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (press 1 for Veteran Crisis Line). #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #BlueStarSupportCircles #FacetheFight

Blue Star Families is pleased to announce the addition of talented team members as we continue to expand our reach to connect with more military families, wherever their service takes them. • Brittany Crocker joins us as Executive Editor. Brittany is a veteran with nearly 15 years of service and equal time working in U.S. journalism and media. • Josh P. comes on board as Director, SEO Strategist. Josh is a recognized expert in search engine visibility, Josh specializes in bridging the gap between mission-driven storytelling and the technical execution required to win in today’s AI-driven search landscape. • Paula Moran, J.D. is standing up the new Hampton Roads Chapter as Executive Director, bringing vast experience in the MSO/VSO space. Kathy Roth-Douquet, Lindsay Knight, PhD, Noeleen T., Vin Duncan, Sarah Blansett, Sheila Stevens

Military families serve our country every day,  often facing challenges that extend far beyond the uniform. In a new joint op-ed published by Deseret News, Gov. Wes Moore and Gov. Spencer Cox highlight the real, ongoing barriers military families face — from frequent moves to employment and access to care — and why states play a critical role in addressing them. The momentum of the Do Your Part State Initiative is growing, and as Gubernatorial Honorary Committee Co-Chairs, they are calling on their colleagues across the country to join the movement and strengthen support for military families at the state level. Their message is clear: supporting military families isn’t partisan — it’s a shared responsibility. Read the op-ed: https://lnkd.in/gRMm5c7N Now is the moment for states to come together and lead. Let’s all do our part. #DoYourPart #DoYourPartStates #MilitaryFamilies #MilitarySpouses #Veterans #StateLeadership #Utah #Maryland National Governors Association, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, Gov. Wes Moore, Gov. Spencer Cox, Jennifer Akin, Craig Newmark, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Kathy Roth-Douquet

Building Your Next Career with Builders FirstSource, welcome! Join us this Wednesday for Blue Star Careers LIVE, featuring Rodney Hatch, #SkillBridge & Veteran Outreach Specialist at Builders #FirstSource. We’ll discuss career pathways in building materials, construction support, logistics, operations, and sales, as well as #SkillBridge opportunities for transitioning service members and veterans. Builders #FirstSource offers careers for military spouses, veterans, and military-connected members. Tune in, ask questions, and explore how your skills can translate into this growing industry. Bring your questions, join the conversation, and follow up in the Blue Star Careers community in the Neighborhood. #BlueStarCareers #BuildersFirstSource #MilitaryCommunity #VeteranJobs #SkillBridge #MilitarySpouseCareers #TransitioningServiceMembers #CareerPathways #HiringOurHeroes #WorkforceDevelopment

The Blue Star Families Hampton Roads Chapter has officially launched. This milestone weekend brought together military families, community leaders, and partners through a series of events, including a Launch Cocktail Reception, the Mariners’ Museum Bike Build, and a Night at the Virginia Beach Aquarium. Hampton Roads was intentionally selected as a chapter location with input from Navy leadership, recognizing the region’s significant and diverse military population. This chapter reflects a commitment to serving all service members and their families in a community that plays such a vital role in our nation’s military landscape. From meaningful conversations to hands-on moments of service, the weekend demonstrated the power of connection and community. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to a successful launch and look forward to building on this momentum. Special thanks to Craig Newmark and Craig Newmark Philanthropies for making our chapter expansion effort possible. We're grateful to Starbucks for making the bike build possible. We also thank CSX for their support over the years. #BSFHamptonRoads #CSXPrideInService Kathy Roth-Douquet, Meredith Terrian, Paula Moran, J.D., Mayor Bobby Dyer, Craig Newmark, US Fleet Forces Command, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet , Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) HQ, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk Naval Shipyard

For military moms and spouses of deployed service members, Mother’s Day can be a reminder of the distance they carry every day. This year, Blue Star Families is sending curated care packages — thoughtful, personal, and filled with messages from their loved ones. For many, these notes may be the closest thing to an embrace, traveling across oceans and time zones to remind them they are not alone. We were proud to share this initiative this weekend at the White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch — an iconic gathering of leaders across media, business, and public service. Thank you to Tammy Haddad for including us in her incredible #WHCDGardenBrunch and for being such a steadfast champion of military families. We’re also grateful to Mark Ein and Sally Ein for their generous support in helping bring these packages to life. Our CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet and CMO Sarah Blansett was there representing #BlueStarFamilies and uplifting the strength and resilience of our community. We’ll always show up in spaces like this to advocate for those who serve — and the families who serve alongside them. #WHCB #DoYourPart #BlueStarFamilies Photo credit: White House Correspondents Insider Sheila Casey Kelley McCormick Ryan O'Toole Dan Driscoll Jennifer Griffin Lee Satterfield

We have two exciting updates to the Blue Star Families team! A new face and a new position! Stephanie Cain, CFRE has joined us as Vice President, Development. Stephanie is a U.S. Army veteran and seasoned nonprofit development executive. Before joining Blue Star Families, Stephanie held development leadership roles with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region, and The Salvation Army. Her professional work is grounded in service, stewardship, and a deep respect for the military-connected community. Emily Becher has been promoted to Vice President of Research & Evaluation. She has served as the Senior Director of Research & Evaluation for the past year. Prior to joining Blue Star Families, Dr. Becher served as the Supervisor of the Evaluation and Surveillance Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health in the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives, where she oversaw efforts to evaluate public health system change approaches to chronic disease prevention. Congratulations to you both! Read more on our distinguished teammates here: https://lnkd.in/gps2dCd6 Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen T. Lindsay Knight, PhD Sarah Blansett Vin Duncan Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan Elizabeth Donatelli Robert D. Thompson, Jr. Ashley Saville

We are proud to share several well-earned promotions across Blue Star Families. As they step into expanded roles, we celebrate not only their accomplishments, but the growing impact they will continue to have in advancing our mission and strengthening the community we serve. Kayla A.: Senior Manager, Program Operations Ashley Molina, PHR: Senior Director, Human Resources Sheila Rupp: Associate Director, Communications Kathy Roth-Douquet, Lindsay Knight, PhD, Noeleen T., Vin Duncan, Sarah Blansett, Elizabeth Donatelli, Vicky Perkins, Maria Tedford