Program for military spouses returns next week
Information, resources available to those who are married to active duty members
MilSpouseFest will return next week to Hampton Roads for the fifth time, connecting spouses with resources designed to address the challenges military families face.
MilSpouseFest will host a conference Tuesday at Lesner Inn in Virginia Beach. The day program will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by an evening program from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The conference will connect attendees with resources for child care, resumé building, military family support, veteran services and mental health counseling services. Representatives from Operation Childcare, Ohana Homefront Foundation, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads and more plan to attend.
“The goal of MSF is to empower military spouses and families by providing them with information, resources, and the community support they need in their daily lives,” said Danya Devine, a military spouse and director of MilSpouseFest.
Active duty families relocate every two to three years, picking up their lives and settling into new communities, all while juggling the stress of military life.
“Every time you PCS (permanent change of station) to a new duty station, you start all over essentially and need resources — everything from a dentist to a hairdresser to childcare. But if you come to an event like MilSpouseFest, you might get a whole bunch of needs met and make some friends,” Devine said.
This year, military spouse and comedian Ashley Gutermuth is the emcee and headliner. She is a stand-up comedian who went viral on TikTok for videos poking fun at military life.
A military spouse for more than 27 years, Devine said she once shied away from similar opportunities.
“I thought ‘I’m not going to be that spouse. I am going to go to work and do my own thing.’ But then I was like ‘wait a minute — I need that. I need that resource or that human connection’,” Devine said.
MilSpouseFest is free, but registration is required. The registration portal, which can be found at MilSpouse Fest.com, will close at 11:59 p.m. Monday.