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Every year, over 600,000 military families move or transition out of service. As Veterans like you transition to civilian life, you may not have a military installation or community nearby. Relating to your new civilian neighbors can be difficult as you adjust to life outside of the military, and knowing how to meet new people and feel settled can be overwhelming.
This critical need to create community and a sense of welcome is exactly the reason Blue Star Families launched Blue Star Welcome Week five years ago.
Blue Star Welcome Week is a new American tradition developed to facilitate a smoother transition and foster a stronger sense of belonging for military families and Veterans nationwide. This impactful campaign aims to inspire all Americans to actively welcome these individuals into their new communities.
Why welcome matters
Blue Star Families ensures that wherever Veterans and military families go, they always feel connected, supported and empowered to thrive—in every community across the nation. Research from our annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) guides everything we do. It captures the experiences of thousands of military and Veteran families, spotlighting concerns such as transition, employment and sense of belonging. According to the most recent Military Family Lifestyle Survey, nearly 1 in 3 Veteran and Veteran spouse respondents (26% and 30%, respectively) have concerns about the transition from military to civilian life. In addition, military spouse employment is a top concern for 34% of Veteran spouses, on the rise from 30% in 2022.
Research and data are essential to building a picture of your needs, and your stories are the backbone of our work. As a result of hearing your voices, we launched Blue Star Welcome Week.
Find connection with us
Blue Star Welcome Week will take place from September 21-29, and we hope you’ll find ways to engage in your community. We’re inviting schools, neighbors, businesses and government leaders to join us as we explore various aspects of welcome. Check out the website to learn all about events and opportunities in your area and across the nation.
With our partners at AARP, Blue Star Families has an exclusive opportunity for Veterans just like you.
Join us for the live webinar, “Revamp & Revive: Home Modification Benefits for Veterans” on Thursday, September 26 at 3 p.m. ET. During this lively webinar, you can chat directly with experts from VA, AARP and The Home Depot in a conversation moderated by Maria Reed, creator and host of Moving With The Military, a show about home modification benefits you can access through VA.
Come find a sense of purpose. Creating meaningful connections. Be the difference for another Veteran or Veteran family. Most importantly, let us welcome you home.
Discover ways to get involved at bluestarwelcomeweek.org.
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