Creating Community Everywhere: Blue Star Families’ Kathy Roth-Douquet on Welcome Week, the Blue Star Neighborhood & Military Life

Show Notes

Moving to a new duty station can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost, a Navy spouse of 10 years, chats with Kathy Roth-Douquet, Marine veteran spouse and Co-Founder & CEO of Blue Star Families (BSF)—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting military and veteran families where they live.

Kathy shares:

• The story behind BSF—why she founded it and the mission that drives it today.
  

• Impact at scale: Over 16 years, BSF has delivered $336M+ in benefits, reaching 1.5M people annually through its chapters and outposts.
  

• Blue Star Welcome Week: how this annual event helps military families feel at home in their new communities.
  

• Blue Star Neighborhood: a year-round digital hub where families connect, share resources, and find ongoing support long after PCS season.
  

• Coffee & Connects: casual Starbucks meetups that bring military families together to build friendships and swap local resources over a cup of coffee.
  

• How you can get involved: from volunteering to partnering with BSF to support military families year-round.
  

Whether you’re in the middle of a PCS, eager to meet fellow military families, or looking for ways to give back, this conversation offers encouragement and practical ways to create community—wherever Navy life takes you.

Resources & Links:

• Blue Star Families

• Blue Star Welcome Week

• Blue Star Neighborhood

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