Elizabeth Dole Foundation Awards Grant to Blue Star Families
Washington, D.C. – National nonprofit, Blue Star Families, was awarded a grant from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Fund today, in support of its efforts to impact the lives of military and veteran caregivers through community support. Blue Star Families is among thirteen organizations nationwide receiving funding for innovative and evidence-based programs that address the long-term needs of military caregivers, the spouses, parents, and loved ones caring for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans at home.
“Through the Hidden Heroes Fund, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation continues to build a strong, nationwide network of support for America’s military caregivers,” announced Senator Elizabeth Dole, president of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “This year’s recipients are some of the most respected organizations working on behalf of the veterans’ community and caregivers, and together, they will help ensure our nation supports our hidden heroes for years to come.”
Blue Star Families will use this grant to address the problem of isolation among military caregivers in New York, to align with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities program. Caregivers Empowering Caregivers respite events will deliver fun and engaging events to promote caregiver self-care and peer connections. Blue Star Families will also build community capacity to support these military and veteran caregivers as well as increase cities’ shared responsibility to support local caregivers
“Over half of the respondents in our 2017 Military Family Lifestyle Survey said they do not feel they belong in their civilian community and 82% felt the general public does not understand sacrifices made by service members and their families,” said Tina Atherall, Director of Community Solutions for Blue Star Families. “The Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s investment in Blue Star Families’ program will have a direct impact on military caregiver families, as well as the communities they call home.”
For a full and detailed list of Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s 2018 Hidden Heroes Fund Grant recipients, click here. If you are interested in interviewing Elizabeth Dole Foundation leadership or grant recipients, please contact Katie Haswell at [email protected] or 202-414-0799.
Blue Star Families builds communities that support military families by connecting research and data to programs and solutions, including career development tools, local community events for families, and caregiver support. Since its inception in 2009, Blue Star Families has engaged tens of thousands of volunteers and serves more than 1.5 million military family members. With Blue Star Families, military families can find answers to their challenges anywhere they are. For more information, visit bluestarfam.org.
