Free grief resources, community connection, and hope for 529 Gold Star families and children of fallen first responders. Your loved one’s service will never be forgotten.
Starry Is Hope supports families of fallen military members and first responders—no matter branch, rank, or circumstance.
If you’ve lost a loved one who served in the Armed Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force—you are a Gold Star family, and we honor your sacrifice.
Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and all first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their families deserve support and recognition.
Whether combat, training, PTSD, or suicide stemming from service trauma—if your loss is connected to their service, you belong here. We speak the hard truths.
Our focus is on the children—from toddlers to teens—who must grow up without a parent who served. Age-appropriate resources designed specifically for them.
Every family in the 529 receives a complete support package at absolutely no cost.
A gentle children’s book helping kids understand loss, legacy, and hope. Written by our founder for her daughter Hope after losing her Air Force veteran husband.
A soft, huggable Starry character that children can hold when they need comfort. Something tangible to help process big emotions.
Connection to other families who truly understand. Events, resources, and a network of support from people who’ve walked this path.
This isn’t just another grief book. It’s a story written from lived experience—by a mother who searched desperately for resources to help her daughter understand why daddy wasn’t coming home.
When Hope was only nine months old, we lost Todd, her dad and an Air Force veteran, to suicide related to service trauma. In the years that followed, I discovered a painful gap: very few resources exist for children processing loss connected to military or first responder service.
Starry’s Journey follows a brave little star learning to shine again after her daddy disappears from the sky. It’s gentle, honest, and filled with hope—just like the children it’s meant to help.
The number 529 isn’t random—it holds profound significance for our mission and represents both heartbreak and hope.
The day we lost Todd, an Air Force veteran and Hope’s father, to suicide stemming from service-related trauma.
Six years later, the founding date of Starry Is Hope—turning the darkest day into a beacon of hope for 529 families.
This number symbolizes remembrance, rebirth, and the enduring connection between love and legacy. Each of the 529 families represents a child who deserves to know their parent’s service mattered and that healing is possible.
If you’ve lost a loved one who served in the military or as a first responder, you qualify for free resources. No applications, no proving your worthiness—just support and dignity.
No cost, no hidden fees, no shipping charges.
Book, plush, community access, and more.
No forms, no wait lists, no bureaucracy.
Resources distributed after Kickstarter campaign concludes. You’ll be notified when your package ships.
If you’ve lost a loved one who served in the U.S. military or as a first responder, you qualify. This includes combat, training, accidents, illness, PTSD, suicide, or any service-related cause.
Absolutely none. The book, plush companion, shipping, and resources are 100% free to families. Grief should never come with a price tag.
Distribution begins after the Kickstarter campaign concludes. You’ll receive email updates and tracking information when your package ships.
You absolutely belong here. Starry Is Hope does not shy away from hard truths. PTSD, mental health, and suicide are part of the healing conversation.
Yes. Whether you’re a widow, widower, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or family member affected by the loss—you’re welcome.
