A summary of ThanksUSA's monthly 'Around the Table' discussion series
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January was the start of new beginnings for ThanksUSA. Answering the call of our scholars for additional academic and professional support, our team introduced new offerings through our Pathways for Patriots program. Our first event was Around the Table, a roundtable discussion of military spouses and children hosted by ThanksUSA Co-Founder Kelsi Okun.
The global pandemic has placed tremendous strain on our already vulnerable military families. A recent survey of ThanksUSA scholars reported loss of income, housing and food insecurity, family separation, disrupted schooling, cancelled internships, increased caregiving duties, and decreased mental health.
Around the Table gave us the opportunity to unpack these challenges and to share how military families are going from “Surviving to Thriving” in these difficult times. As Kelsi said, “It’s rare to be in a moment where asking for help is something everyone can relate to, and we hope to encourage that habit.”
The Common Needs
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While our panel of scholars represented differing circumstances, their common needs were striking. Each expressed the need for connection during a time when physical and social gatherings are limited at best. Their support systems have been significantly depleted and needs for financial, social, and professional resources have increased ten-fold.
The Experiences
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A military spouse participant lost her job shortly after the start of the pandemic. The loss of income required her and her family to make difficult changes impacting her academic and professional goals. One Army dependent shared how the pandemic required her to self-isolate limiting her access to her professors and advisors. And a Marine daughter shared the heartbreaking loss of her father to suicide. “Loss by suicide is taboo in society, in the military and in law enforcement. My heart goes out to those people that walk through it.”
The Solutions
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Around the Table gave the ThanksUSA community an opportunity to share how they are rising above these challenges. One Army spouse shared how she and her friends have monthly “zoom dates” where they share a coffee or cocktail virtually. And a Marine dependent shared her gratitude for the decreased stigma against mental health and asking for help spurred by the pandemic. “It was definitely counseling that helped me walk through it.” One participant agreed that there were silver linings amongst the challenges. “Due to the pandemic, I lost my position at work which shook up my future plans. But the thing that’s getting me through is taking this opportunity – this gift of time – to say, ‘What do I actually want to do?’ and ‘How do I find that?’”
While the military lifestyle has many challenges, members and their families develop qualities that they otherwise might not. As one Army spouse said, “The military culture of ‘toughen up’ and ‘we got it’ and ‘hu-rah’ and ‘Army strong’ – all of that is great. But strength is also kissing your teenage sons. Strength is also giving someone a hug. Strength is also setting up a therapeutic appointment. It’s also making your kids play games with you even though they think it’s corny. That is also a form of strength and admitting that you need people.”
Pathways for Patriots seeks to increase opportunities to support the academic and professional goals of military families and to bring our community closer together. Around the Table was mirrored after the early days of ThanksUSA which started out as an idea shared across a kitchen table. Fifteen years later, we are continuing this mission of support and connection. We invite you to join us. And, as ThanksUSA Co-Founder Rachel Okun says, “We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January was the start of new beginnings for ThanksUSA. Answering the call of our scholars for additional academic and professional support, our team introduced new offerings through our Pathways for Patriots program. Our first event was Around the Table, a roundtable discussion of military spouses and children hosted by ThanksUSA Co-Founder Kelsi Okun.
The global pandemic has placed tremendous strain on our already vulnerable military families. A recent survey of ThanksUSA scholars reported loss of income, housing and food insecurity, family separation, disrupted schooling, cancelled internships, increased caregiving duties, and decreased mental health.
Around the Table gave us the opportunity to unpack these challenges and to share how military families are going from “Surviving to Thriving” in these difficult times. As Kelsi said, “It’s rare to be in a moment where asking for help is something everyone can relate to, and we hope to encourage that habit.”
The Common Needs
-------------------------------------
While our panel of scholars represented differing circumstances, their common needs were striking. Each expressed the need for connection during a time when physical and social gatherings are limited at best. Their support systems have been significantly depleted and needs for financial, social, and professional resources have increased ten-fold.
The Experiences
------------------------------
A military spouse participant lost her job shortly after the start of the pandemic. The loss of income required her and her family to make difficult changes impacting her academic and professional goals. One Army dependent shared how the pandemic required her to self-isolate limiting her access to her professors and advisors. And a Marine daughter shared the heartbreaking loss of her father to suicide. “Loss by suicide is taboo in society, in the military and in law enforcement. My heart goes out to those people that walk through it.”
The Solutions
-------------------------
Around the Table gave the ThanksUSA community an opportunity to share how they are rising above these challenges. One Army spouse shared how she and her friends have monthly “zoom dates” where they share a coffee or cocktail virtually. And a Marine dependent shared her gratitude for the decreased stigma against mental health and asking for help spurred by the pandemic. “It was definitely counseling that helped me walk through it.” One participant agreed that there were silver linings amongst the challenges. “Due to the pandemic, I lost my position at work which shook up my future plans. But the thing that’s getting me through is taking this opportunity – this gift of time – to say, ‘What do I actually want to do?’ and ‘How do I find that?’”
While the military lifestyle has many challenges, members and their families develop qualities that they otherwise might not. As one Army spouse said, “The military culture of ‘toughen up’ and ‘we got it’ and ‘hu-rah’ and ‘Army strong’ – all of that is great. But strength is also kissing your teenage sons. Strength is also giving someone a hug. Strength is also setting up a therapeutic appointment. It’s also making your kids play games with you even though they think it’s corny. That is also a form of strength and admitting that you need people.”
Pathways for Patriots seeks to increase opportunities to support the academic and professional goals of military families and to bring our community closer together. Around the Table was mirrored after the early days of ThanksUSA which started out as an idea shared across a kitchen table. Fifteen years later, we are continuing this mission of support and connection. We invite you to join us. And, as ThanksUSA Co-Founder Rachel Okun says, “We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table.”
