January 2025 Convening – Helping Military Families Thrive: Navigating Essential Needs Together

Posted on: February 20, 2025 | Posted in: Community Blog

Convening Topic:

Helping Military Families Thrive: Navigating Essential Needs Together

January was rough with the fires but so glad the fire departments in the San Diego area have been incredibly responsive. Much thanks to our direct responders! We had Emily Snowden from Fleet and Family Support Center speak about her programming and other fiscal programs that the military offers. We also had a member highlight where Gza Larcan from Courage toCall informed our group of all the different basic needs support Courage to Call has available!

Some of the topics that were discussed: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA), Healthcare FSA, Taxes, Budgeting, Local Basic Needs Supports, Personal Financial Program, and other topics!

It was a great space for us to listen, reflect, ask, and learn. Thank you to our speaker, organizations, and individuals that attended! We also had a BUNCH of flyers and announcements full of free family events and assistance opportunities. We wish we could upload them, but you’ll have to attend the convenings to pick up the flyers!

Thanks to our wonderful speaker!

Emily Snowden, Personal Financial Counselor, Fleet and Family Support Center

Emily Snowden is a Personal Financial Counselor with Fleet & Family Support Center – Naval Base Coronado. She has been with the organization for over five years with experience in career coaching, education planning, and personal finance. As an active-duty spouse, she has a passion working alongside Service Members and their families as they navigate the dynamics of military life.

CONVENING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES. Please click on the hyperlinks to be directly connected with the materials!

Convening Recording: (This is our first attempt in 2025 for a convening recording so apologies in advance for the rough edits!)

PowerPoint presented at the convening.

Information One Sheets:

Links mentioned in the convening:

www.fsafeds.gov (DCFSA and HCFSA applications, tax calculators)
1-866-923-6478 (Making an appointment with a Personal Financial Counselor with FFSC or sign up for a finance class)
www.navylifesw.com

Some organizations you could have connected with during this convening!

Fleet and Family Support Centers, Aurora San Diego Hospital, Marine Corps Community Services, Neighborhood House Association, Blue Star Families, Yellow Ribbon Fund, ASYMCA, Motivated Youth Academy, Team Red, White and Blue (TRWB), Zero8Hundred, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Courage to Call, San Diego Regional Center, SAY San Diego, San Diego Unified School District, Brain Balance, County of San Diego , KPBS, and other amazing San Diego citizens attended as well!

Join us at our next monthly convening next Friday, 28 February from 10am-12pm at SAY SD HQs (4775 Viewridge Ave., San Diego, CA 92123). Our topic for February will be “Accessing & Leveraging Childcare Resources “ and we’re excited to share this space with you! Please invite your co-workers, friends, and families!