Blue Star Families Receives Be a STAR Grant

Blue Star Families, the country’s largest chapter-based support organization for military families, recently received the first-ever Be a STAR (Show Tolerance and Respect) grant for its MilKidz Club program. The MilKidz Club provides all military children, regardless of rank, branch of service, or military installation, with resources, mentoring and opportunities that will empower them to become leaders in their community.

Be a STAR is an anti-bullying initiative founding in 2011 with The Creative Coalition and WWE. The initiative’s goal is to use education and awareness to encourage young people to treat others with tolerance and respect. With the grant, Blue Star Families will incorporate Be a STAR’s lessons of Courage, Responsibility, Dignity, Friendship, Advocacy, Resiliency, Empathy, Identity and Morality into its monthly programs and after-school activities.

“Blue Star Families appreciates the support of The Creative Coalition and WWE, allowing us to help even more students learn how to Be a STAR,” said Sheri Robey-Lapan, Blue Star Families’ Senior Director of Programs. “Our military children show tremendous resilience each time they enter a new school… By incorporating Be a STAR lessons in our MilKidz Club and after-school activities, more military and non-military students will better understand what their fellow students are going through.” 

Blue Star Families Partners to Create Spouse Ambassador Network

Last week the United States Department of Defense deepened its commitment to helping military spouses find jobs by launching the Spouse Ambassador Network, which will be a new arm of the department’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program. The Spouse Ambassador Network is made possible by SECO’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership and several military support organizations, including Blue Star Families, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Military Family Association. More than 200 businesses have joined the partnership as well, pledging to hire military spouses.

The Spouse Ambassador Network was created in collaboration with military spouses. “Well-networked” military husbands and wives were asked what career information and resources would be helpful to them when looking for jobs. As a result, the SECO website offers articles, links, networking opportunities, skill assessments and access to personality assessments that could guide spouses when making a career choice. The career center will be accessible 24/7 on the Military OneSource website and will even offer individuals the ability to transfer their LinkedIn profiles to the SECO site.

“[The partner companies] recognize the value of military spouses, and that they have the kinds of skills and talent that most employers are looking for in the 21^st century,” said Meg O’Grady. “They’re resilient, flexible, natural team players, and tend to be very local. Our employers have told us that bringing a military spouse into their organization creates a real value for that business.”

CURE CEO Tapped for Illinois Medical Distric Commission

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE),which Connie Milstein serves as a member of the Board of Directors, made headlines this week in Chicago. The organization’s CEO, Carmita Vaughan, was appointed to the Illinois Medical District Commission by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Vaughan has worked for CURE since she joined as Chief Operating Officer in 2010. Prior to working with CURE, Vaughan served as Chief Strategy Officer for America’s Promise Alliance, a youth development organization founded by Gen. Colin Powell. She has also worked for the Chicago Public Schools Office of High School and High School Program. She has also worked with Fortune 500 companies in the following roles: global marketing, strategic planning and engineering/operations management. She serves on the Board of Directors for Marwen, a Chicago-based arts education organization, the Academy of Urban School Leadership and America’s Promise Alliance.

In her newly appointed role, Vaughan will be one of seven charged with overseeing, coordinating and reviewing development projects within the Illinois Medical District. She was selected because of her experience with medical issues and healthcare, her commitment to community service and her managerial experience.

Blue Star Families Builds Playground As Part Of 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

As part of the 9/11 Day of Service and Rememberance, volunteers from Blue Star Families joined others from KaBOOM!, Northrop Grumman and the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council to build a new playground at Fort Meade’s Burba Park. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was present to lend a hand and get the volunteers fired up. The Day of Service coincided with Blue Star Families’ Operation Honor Cards initiative, which encourages citizens to honor military families, veterans and service members through volunteer efforts.

“It’s that [American] dream that brings us all out here today to make sure that through our work and through our service and through our dedication, we make certain that these kids have a better life in this country,” Secretary Panetta said at the start of the project.

The Burba Park playground will provide military families and hundreds of children with a new, safe place to play at Fort Meade. At the end of 2011, KaBOOM! will have worked to build over 150 playgrounds across the country. In the closing months of this year, the organization will partner with more than 10,000 volunteers to build the final 60 playgrounds as citizens donate their time in honor of military members, families and veterans.

“We are grateful to KaBOOM! and all of today's volunteers for this gift to the military children of Fort Meade,” said Mark D. Smith, Executive Director of Blue Star Families. “Military families have been hit hard by the years of war since 9/11 and this is a wonderful way to say thank you.”

For many years before she became a member of the Blue Star Families Board of Directors, Connie Milstein worked to help military families and veterans. Her accomplishments as a philanthropist and businesswoman made her a perfect fit with BSF.

Connie’s Bakery Helping Women in Need

As part of her commitment to helping those less fortunate, Connie Milstein has set up the Foundation Sweet Success. This foundation helps to distribute 100% of the after-tax profits from Connie’s Bakery and General Store to needy organizations.

One such organization, that Connie Milstein supports with the Foundation Sweet Success is the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center. This center provides essential resources, professional counseling, skills workshops and more to help women to work towards their potential and to reach their goals.

The many programs developed through the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center are continually developed and constantly changing to meet the needs of a changing social environment and to reflect the needs of the women they serve.

Supporting CURE in San Francisco

CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, is excited to see San Francisco getting into the action. On March 25^th, the 1^st Annual San Francisco CURE Benefit Dinner will be held at The Four Seasons Hotel on 757 Market Street in San Francisco.

Certainly, CURE, where Connie Milstein is on the Board of Directors, values all of its sponsors and patrons. As a nonprofit organization, they are dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy and can only do so with the funds raised for research.

The 1^st Annual San Francisco CURE Benefit Dinner will include a sponsor reception at 5:30 pm and a general reception beginning at 6 pm followed by dinner. The keynote speaker is David Axelrod, a Former Senior Advisor to the President and there will be a special performance by Grammy Award-winner Peter Rowan.

Connie Milstein and BSF Team Efforts

Blue Star Families – the organization that was set up to help the military by assisting their families – seeks to “connect the community of military families, both active duty and veterans, regardless of rank, and provide them with the support and empowerment they need to create the best personal and family life possible.” BSF Director Connie Milstein saw the need for this service, which really joins together the soldiers, their families and the community at large. The BSF posts blog spots for this aim, writing about topics that are of interest to everyone. Military families can receive advice and support on how to cope when their soldiers that are deployed and sorting out everyday life matters on their own during this time. Just recently, a chapter director of BSF from southern California, Reyna Reyna, commented on how their efforts were towards raising “awareness of BSF to military families who live off base….Often when families live in the civilian community they feel isolated, especially when their spouse deploys, she said. “They think they don’t have the same opportunities or benefits as if they lived on base.” There are so many ways that the community at large can get involved in helping the military and their families, and the BSF seeks to be a bridge between the two.

Blue Star Families Lifestyle Survey

Earlier this week Blue Star Families released its 2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, in an attempt to get an idea of the major issues encountered by these families. The results were: “pay and benefits, the current operational tempo, the effects of deployments on children, spouse employment, and childrens education.”

Some months after the original survey was conducted, these results were presented at a Senate and House Military Family Caucuses joint session. It was then cited by a White House Report, ‘Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment.’ This was the “culmination of a Presidential Directive and the findings of the Military Family Interagency Committee, created in 2010 to institutionalize support for military families as a national security priority.”

Thus the initiative undertaken by Blue Star Families has been successful. A commitment has been made by President Barack Obama and his wife, along with Jill Biden for “Federal agencies to establish a coordinated and comprehensive Federal approach to supporting military families.” The goal is to now address four main areas: a) enhance the military family’s physical and mental welfare; b) excellent education and development for military children; c) establish “career and educational opportunities for military spouses” and d) improved and increased child care options.
A big supporter of the work of BSF is Connie Milstein, who sits on the Board of Directors.

Connie Milstein Attends Mark Twain Award Event

This photo was taken at the Mark Twain Award event at Kennedy Center. In the picture are Susan Sher, Ted Greenberg and Connie Milstein.

Connie Milstein Supporter of NYU Development

The School of Arts and Science at New York University has been adding creative programming to its curriculum, and Connie Milstein, alumnus, trustee and friend of NYU has been behind much of the new creative energy.

NYU students who want to experience the exciting political, cultural and intellectual life in our country’s capital now have a permanent home from which to do it. The Constance Milstein and Family Academic Center in Washington, D.C. gives NYU students a chance to experience the heartbeat of America from the very center from which it emanates.

Back in New York, freshman entering NYU’s School of Arts and Science will participate in the Collegiate Seminar Program, which was launched in 2007, where they will be challenged intellectually and supported academically. Connie Milstein was the force behind this innovative program which partners students with mentors who will see them through until the conclusion of their undergraduate careers.

Academic excellence is continuously improving and developing at NYU, with encouragement, creative energy and help from Connie Milstein.

Properties at Ogden CAP Properties, LLC

Connie Milstein takes an interest in all properties on the market at Ogden CAP Properties, LLC, the company she co-founded. One such impressive property there is located at One Lincoln Plaza, 20 West 64th Street, NYC, and truly is the ultimate in luxury while being extremely centrally located, spitting distance from Central Park and across Lincoln Center. It really provides “the best of New York at your fingertips,” for those seeking relaxed living in the hubbub of New York City’s culture. You will find cleverly-planned residences here boasting aesthetic-pleasing parquet floors, insulated windows and huge closets as well as personalized air-conditioning systems and controlled heating. For the gourmet cook the kitchen will appeal and the top quality appliances will make anyone’s life easier. Relax at the end of a long day in a huge tub and don’t forget to enjoy the New York view during the day and at night time – in the city that never sleeps.

Milstein Family Supports Advanced Cardiac Care at New Health Center

With the help of the generous contribution of 50 million dollars from the Vivian and Seymour Milstein family, the most advanced cardiac care is now available to patients at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center. January 2010 ushered in a new chapter in the history of cardiac care when the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center opened its doors to patients and their families.

The gift bestowed on the Center is one of the most generous in the history of the hospital, and it allowed the hospital to build one of the most advanced cardiac care facilities in the United States, and the world. Featured at this unique health center are advanced diagnostic technology and treatments which are generally less invasive, more accurate, and allow patients to heal more quickly and with fewer complications.

Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of New York-Presbyterian explained:
“As we open the doors to the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center, we look at the future of heart care, with advanced inpatient and outpatient care, including new minimally invasive treatment options, available together under one roof. This building honors the longstanding vision and support of the Vivian and Seymour Milstein family and signals a unique hospital setting where heart patients have access to the very best care, delivered with compassion in a comfortable and family-friendly environment."

New Epilepsy Research

The CURE website features a fascinating article about a recent study. This article explains that researchers found that deep brain stimulation reduces the frequency of partial epileptic seizures in patients who don’t respond well to medications. The study was conducted by Robert Fisher, MD, PhD of Stanford University and his colleagues.

Certainly, this information is exciting news for supporters of CURE such as CURE President Susan Axelrod and board members Barbara Kelly, Connie Milstein and others.

Ford’s Theatre Upcoming Line-Up

The Ford’s Theatre recently announced its upcoming schedule for the 2010-2011 season. While there are many new and exciting productions planned for the Theatre, where Connie Milstein is on the board, other ongoing activities will continue as usual.

For instance, the popular daytime one-act production One Destiny by Richard Helleson will continue from October 12 through 30, 2010 and April 4 to May 28, 2011. Furthermore, the History on Foot walking tours A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly and Investigation: Detective McDevitt will be available from September to October 2010. Investigation: Detective McDevitt will resume in the spring from March-August 2011; A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly will run April-August 2011.

Certainly, this provides a wealth of entertainment for anyone who has the pleasure of coming to the Ford’s Theatre.