Better Together: Naval Services FamilyLine and Blue Star Families Join Forces

Blue Star Families is an organization founded in 2009 to empower military families as they serve by connecting them with their neighbors to create supportive communities. Their platform, The Neighborhood, is a virtual community designed to help military families thrive by providing them with local resources, events, and gatherings. In an exciting partnership, Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are joining together to launch the first ever service-specific Neighborhood, ensuring they’ll reach and support even more Navy families. On this episode, Blue Star Families’ CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet and Executive Vice President, Ryan Callahan join Naval Services FamilyLine’s Chairperson, Tirzah Aiken to discuss this new venture.

Show Links:

• Blue Star Families

• The Neighborhood

Show Takeaways:

• Blue Star Families is an organization dedicated to providing military families with connections and a sense of belonging in their communities.

• The Neighborhood is Blue Star Families’ digital platform providing resources and sharing events to military families in their local areas.

  https://thebsn.org/

• Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are partnering to offer the first service-specific Neighborhood for Navy families, moderated by FamilyLine volunteers

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Hiring Our Heroes is a 501(c)(3) that provides the military-connected community with workforce development. On this episode, Jenny Lynn Stroup, Deputy Director of Military Spouse Programs and Angie Hood, Manager of the Military Spouse Programs team, discuss programs and initiatives developed specifically for military spouses.

Show Links:

• Hiring Our Heroes

• Register for Amplify

• Apply for the Military Spouse Fellowship Program

Show Takeaways:

• The Military Spouse under and unemployment rate is much higher than the national average; Hiring Our Heroes has an entire team dedicated to military spouses because military spouse employment provides stability for military families, which provides stability for the military force.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers military spouses three unique lanes of business to become involved: Workforce Development, and Events and Engagement.

• Amplify workshops are offered to military spouses in-person and virtually, focused on career preparation, professional development, and networking.

• The 4+1 Commitment is designed to encourage businesses to develop military spouse-friendly hiring practices.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers a 12-week fellowship program that provides military spouse with professional training, networking, and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Unsung Heroes: The League of Wives and the Power of Military Spouse Changemakers The League of Wives was a group of brave, determined military wives who raised awareness and demanded humane treatment for POWs during the Vietnam War. These remarkable women transformed the role of the military spouse, and paved the way for future generations of spouses to become changemakers and advocates. In this episode we talk to Alexia Palacios-Peters, Chairperson of the League of Wives Memorial Project, about the soon-to-be unveiled memorial dedicated to these extraordinary women, and their enduring legacy. We also talk to Sheila Casey, Executive Director of Joining Forces, who offers a contemporary perspective on the evolving challenges faced by military spouses and the pivotal role they play in shaping policies that impact military families. Join us as we explore how the collective strength and determination of military spouses continue to drive positive change.

Show Links:

• League of Wives Memorial Project

• Joining Forces

• Military OneSource

Show Takeaways:

• Military Spouses are often our own best advocates, using our own challenges as a springboard for change.

• The League of Wives forever changed the traditional role of the Military Spouse after they bravely defied their traditional expectations; Despite many obstacles, the League of Wives raised national awareness about the POWs in Vietnam and demanded their humane treatment.

• Joining Forces is the White House initiative to support military-connected families. Its Executive Director, Sheila Casey, is a retired Army spouse of over 40 years. She discusses how the role and expectations of military spouses have changed over the years, and how military spouses are at the forefront of creating positive change for military families and their communities.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram