RESOURCE
Blue Star Families
The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. Blue Star Families is committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. Blue Star Families believes we’re all stronger when we take care of one another.
Blue Star Families’ groundbreaking research is raising the nation’s awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Blue Star Families’ innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.
With approximately 275,000 members in our network, including in chapters and communities all over the world, Blue Star Families touches more than 1.5 million military family members each year. Through research and program partnerships, Blue Star Families ensures that wherever American military families go, they can always feel connected, supported and empowered to thrive – in every community, across the nation, and around the globe.
Military Caregiving Programs
Military and Veteran life brings unique caregiving challenges, such as relocations, deployments, family separations, financial insecurity, and health concerns. Self-care is crucial but often difficult to practice. The Blue Star Caregivers Program offers time and space to focus on yourself and connect with fellow military caregivers.
Our time together focuses on self-care, resource sharing, and peer support, aiming to enrich a caregivers journey. With group sizes ranging from 10-20 participants, caregivers will find friends who understand their experience and serve as a support network. The Blue Star Caregivers program offers both virtual cohorts and in-person workshops at select Chapter locations.
Blue Star Support Circles | Upstream Solutions to Crisis
Blue Star Families, as a grantee of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, created Blue Star Support Circles, facilitated, non-clinical cohorts for Veteran and service member supporters. Blue Star Families recognizes that family members and friends are best positioned to identify and assist a Veteran or service member approaching crisis. This program offers peer connections, evidence-based training, resources, and referrals to empower you in providing support. Join the community by enrolling in our eight-week virtual courses led by mental health experts. Learn to recognize early signs of crisis and how to intervene safely—your involvement can save lives.