Military Families

After serving nearly nine years in the Navy, Liz Perez returned to civilian life in San Diego feeling good about a new job and a fresh start. Unfortunately, she faced challenges she never Change Notes: Stepping Up to Support Veteranssaw coming.

"When you're in the military, everything you need is on base," she said. "When I left, I had no support. I didn't know where to go for things like housing or child care. I didn't realize how much is taken out of your paycheck. I had a really hard time."

Simone A. Bernstein is a junior at St. Bonaventure University in upstate New York. She is a summer intern at generationOn, an active volunteer in her hometown of St Louis, Mo. and in her college community. Simone co-founded VolunTEENnation.org, an online resource for youth to easily find volunteer opportunities.

Today's turning point post is written by Vivian Greentree, Ph.D., who is the director of research and policy for Blue Star Families.  In Vivian’s spare time, she volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia.