Blue Star Welcome Week

Around 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families move each year – and in a county with two military installations, that means some of those families end up calling Onslow County home.

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River employ approximately 43,000 active duty military members and about 5,700 civilian employees. Family members and retirees increase those numbers by an additional 80,700 people with a military affiliation. The average military-connected family moves three times as often as their local peers do. And while more than 70 percent of families live off base in their local communities, many do not feel a strong sense of belonging to those communities.

Join us in celebrating Blue Star Welcome Week as we continue our work to welcome Veterans and their families home to Onslow County. Blue Star Welcome Week, September 25-October 3, aims to empower military and Veteran families to feel like they belong in their local communities – in our community.

Connecting Families to Resources

At One Place, we work to connect families to vital resources – especially military families! When families can locate resources for themselves and their children, they are making connections. When more children and families access resources and build connections, we build a stronger foundation for families and a stronger community for everyone.

“Our military families have complex needs and with our community’s help, we remain poised to serve their needs,” said Dawn Rochelle, Chief Executive Officer at One Place.

Check out our resources specifically for military families here: https://www.oneplaceonslow.org/for-parents-and-early-educators/family-resources/#military

Military Families and the Workforce

We also know the value of having military-connected people on staff. Currently, we employ nine military spouses and four Veterans.

“We love our employees who are affiliated with the military! They adapt quickly to our continuously changing environment and have organizational and leadership skills because of their experiences,” said Buffy Farmer, Chief of People Operations at One Place.” Military spouses and Veterans can be counted on for their flexibility and adaptability, which is critical in our work. They are resourceful and can take charge when the need presents itself.”

Having Veterans on staff also adds value and impact to our agency’s structure and team. They bring with them a wide range of experiences and exposures from different cultures, which aids our team in making better-informed decisions on complex topics. Military spouses provide strength in times of uncertainty. While many may not have a traditional resume due to frequent moves and other challenges related to military life, they have an abundance of talents of value to One Place such as extensive volunteer experience, military connections, and knowledge of resources.

“They are usually excellent organizers and can maintain structure in uncertain times which gives the team and the community more confidence in One Place. We understand how important this talent pool is in our community and we enjoy the partnership,” Farmer said.

Are you a military spouse or Veteran looking for employment? Check out the career opportunities available with One Place: https://www.oneplaceonslow.org/careerportal/#/jobs

How Can You Help?

• Introduce new military-affiliated families to your most-used resources in Onslow County. Share your favorite places to shop or enjoy a meal. Invite them for a play date at a local park.
• Sign a welcome card today! Share your favorite local business or attraction-the more specific the better! It could be the name of a great place to meet friends, a coffee shop, or an insider secret that only a local would know, these things help folks feel at home.
• Tell anyone with children under the age of 5 about  Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Receiving a new, free book in the mail each month will help military children feel more established in their new home.
• Encourage military families who are new to the community to connect with One Place!
  • Website: www.oneplaceonslow.org
  • Phone: 910-938-0336
  • Facebook: @OnePlaceOnslow