For many military families, relocating to a new community and starting over without an established network of local connections is a familiar experience.

Blue Star Families is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a support network for military members and their families. As families navigate the challenges of moving from place to place, the organization works to shorten the time between arriving in a new community and finding the resources, connections, and sense of belonging they need.

With chapters in 14 states, the organization launched its 15th chapter in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in October of this year. Home to five military installations, the city was a natural fit for Blue Star Families' mission.

a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } Sarah Frey, executive director of the Colorado Springs chapter of Blue Star Families, first connected with U.S. Figure Skating through Hiring Our Heroes, a program focused on expanding opportunities for veterans and military spouses. That relationship grew through a career fair piloted by Kadari Taylor-Watson, U.S. Figure Skating director community engagement and impact, for local Team USA athletes, which concluded with a Learn to Skate USA public skate. The experiences highlighted a natural alignment between the two organizations, as both athletes and military families regularly navigate change, build resilience and create community in unfamiliar environments, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

"I thought [skating] was such a creative way to introduce something new to the community while creating opportunities that military families and everyday Americans might not otherwise consider," Frey said. "As a military family coming into Colorado, it was also a reminder of how special this community is and that this is Olympic City USA. This was something unique our family could experience in Colorado Springs that we might not have had the opportunity to experience elsewhere."

To welcome the new Colorado Springs chapter to Olympic City USA, Blue Star Families hosted a week of activities for military families, which included a SkateFest with U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate USA.

Families filled the ice as first-time skaters practiced swizzles, cheered one another on and formed new friendships.

"When I had the opportunity to plan the welcome week and think about how we could introduce families to unique parts of Colorado Springs they might not have experienced yet, one of the first places that came to mind was U.S. Figure Skating," Frey said. "So I reached out and I said, 'I've got an idea for a welcome week.' I'm just so thrilled that we did it."

For Frey, the experience was not just meaningful because of her role with Blue Star Families, but it also hit close to home for her as a military spouse and mom.

"As a mom, the experience was just as meaningful. When my family first moved to Colorado Springs from Mississippi about four and a half years ago, we arrived in the middle of winter. Like many military families, we had made a bucket list of things we wanted to experience in our new community and winter sports and activities were at the top of that list … We were navigating school transitions, housing, new careers, a new assignment for my husband and upcoming temporary duty assignments, but we also had the opportunity to get out on the ice.

"Watching my son and daughters experience skating was an emotional moment," she said. "They were meeting new friends they had never met before, and they were all learning something new together. There's a great equalizer in trying something new. It helps build connections and encourages kids to be brave and step outside their comfort zones."

Hannah Sermons, whose husband serves as an active-duty member of the U.S. Space Force, recently moved to Colorado with her family following a permanent change of station (PCS) order. Like many military families adjusting to a new community, they were looking for opportunities to build connections and meet people.

Sermons attended SkateFest with her husband and their children, Alivia (10), Nate (8) and Marin (3), at the Cadet Field House at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"Sometimes o

utings like skating seem out of reach. So getting to experience that as a whole family, and seeing [my daughter] Marin experience it, was pretty cool," Sermons said. "I'm not big into ice skating, but it's something that their dad thoroughly enjoys and now they can enjoy it together thanks to that experience. Now I think Alivia can give him a run for his money with the swizzles and the backwards skating."

Another highlight for participants was the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors, including 2026 Olympic gold medalist Ellie Kam. Kam joined families on the ice to help them learn the basics of skating before taking time to meet each participant and pose for photos.

"It was really cool. I've never met an Olympian before," 10-year-old Alivia Sermons said. "She did this crazy spin. She put her leg up and went up and down while spinning. It was pretty cool. I wanted to learn how to do that."

The day ended with one final surprise. Every family in attendance received a scholarship for a Learn to Skate USA membership and lessons This memebrship will follow the skaters, even if they leave Colorado, allowing them to continue growing their skills on the ice from anywhere in the country. 

"As a large family, and specifically a military family, coming from the Midwest, we actually haven't really been able to get our kids into a lot of sports," Hannah Sermons said. "They used to do multiple sports back in Ohio, but the cost out here just jumped so significantly that it hasn't happened. So the fact that it was provided for eight weeks, it's something that I can't put into words."

For families like the Sermons and the Freys, the SkateFest and the scholarships ensured the connections and memories made during the event would continue long after the it ended.

"They can't wait to come back and keep skating," Frey said. "When we got home, it was one of those things that made it to the dinner table at the end of the night. My kids are still talking about it. They keep bringing up how they got to see a gold medal, go ice skating and show off their new tricks. They're already asking when they get to go again. It's something that has continued to bring us joy even after the event has ended."