Our Chairman and Gold Star wife Jennifer Carazo had the opportunity to share Sugar Bear's story and our work with Tim Beisiegal, the host and founder of the Focused on Forward Podcast. Jennifer welcomes these opportunities as not only a means of sharing our programs and resources for Gold Star families, but also as a way of raising awareness for the community.
Gold Star Spouses Day - April 5, 2021
In honor of Gold Star Spouses Day, we wanted to once again share the stories of some of the amazing women we have had the opportunity to support and who serve as a shining example of life after loss. All of our programs are designed to assist these families with a new path while providing career, educational, and even financial support when needed. We hope you will consider making a donation, signing up for Sugar Bear's Virtual Memorial Run, sponsoring a scholarship, or even sharing our work by joining our Ambassador Program. We are grateful for any and all help!
Featured
Stem Competiton for Girls
This is a wonderful opportunity for girls and we hope some of our Gold Star children will take part.
“The Math and AI Girls Competition aims to encourage young girls to develop an interest in math and AI by taking part in STEM competitions at an early age. This competition also aims to encourage long-term planning of academic and career goals in STEM. The competition is open to middle school female students. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitudes, activities and aspirations in STEM.”
CLICK HERE for information (https://www.mathandai4girls.org/math-and-ai-4-girls-). Please direct any questions to Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org
Mapping My Future: A Teen Series- Career Pathway Exploration
This is a wonderful opportunity for our Gold Star teens. Please contact Admin@thesugarbearfoundation.org with any questions.
Did you know the Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP) also offers career services for DoD eligible youth? This month we are hosting a virtual career exploration workshop just for them, please see details below. Thank you in advance for sharing this series with your military family connected communities.
Mapping My Future: A Teen Series
Let’s face facts, many things in our life are out of our control. Planning your future doesn’t have to be one of them. MCCS along with other supports are here to help!
Throughout the 2021 year we have teamed up to bring you lots of experts to aid in mapping your future. This is for all of our DoD Eligible affiliated teens.
March 30th 4:30-6PM
Career Pathway Exploration
Virtual workshop
Registration: ppd_mcrdsandiego-wrr.eventbrite.com
Virtual Speedy Resource Power Hour - March 24th
We look forward to serving on this panel and sharing our Programs for Gold Star spouses and children on March 24, 2021 from 10:00-11:30 AM EST. CLICK HERE to RSVP and Register.
A Note of Thanks - Message from Tutoring Scholarship Recipient
We know our tutoring recipients are as grateful as we are for our scholarship sponsor, RF-LAMBDA. Their support is helping shape the academic endeavors of these amazing students while recognizing their sacrifice.
Congratulations to Gold Star wife Erica Brophy! Erica is our most recent Coaching Scholarship recipient and the Founder of Gold Star Family Resources
Thank you to the Sugar Bear Foundation for this wonderful opportunity to work with Sarah Davis. I decided to apply for the coaching scholarship because it’s been a struggle for me to find my purpose in life after loss. I’ve always had a drive and was fortunate to still have a successful career even as a military wife until the unexpected happened. My husband, USMC Major James Brophy, was killed along with five other Marines in an aviation training mishap on December 6, 2018 off the coast of Japan. My two children will always be my top priority but my outlook on life has changed and now I’m on a mission to find my purpose as I journey forward.
I knew eventually I wanted to do meaningful work but wasn’t sure what that looked like until I recently created a website (www.goldstarfamilyresources.com); centralizing resources for Gold Star families that provides guidance, checklists, and blog posts written from my own experience and perspective. My hope is to provide clarity and guidance for anyone that goes through this unimaginable process.
Through my coaching I hope to gain a better awareness of my personal strengths as a leader so that I can better serve the Gold Star family community with my career goal as a Survivor Advocate. Stay tuned for this new chapter as I keep going and keep growing!
Much love and gratitude,
Erica Brophy, Gold Star Wife
Founder of Gold Star Family Resources
https://www.goldstarfamilyresources.com/
Last family pic together was taken in Japan Nov 2018
Picture of James was taken in Iwo Jima in Sept 2018
Final Marine Corps ball pic taken in Nov 2018
Happy New Year from the Sugar Bear Foundation
Happy New Year! Despite this past year, we feel blessed for the moments we were able to share, the support we were able to lend and receive. Thank you and we are working to make even more of an impact in 2021.
Thank You for Supporting our Holiday Gift Card Campaign
Thank you to all who contributed to our Holiday Gift Card Campaign! Through your generosity, we were able to provide gift cards to our families in our Financial Assistance Program. A big thank you to our Educational Sponsor, RF-LAMBDA, for their support with this special campaign.
RF-LAMBDA - A Year of Gratitude 2020
Thank you to our amazing Scholarship Sponsor, RF-Lambda! We are grateful for their continued support of our mission, Gold Star families, the military, and the community. As they grow they are helping us build our educational programs and opportunities for Gold Star children.