Jessica Manfre, LMSW

Jessica Manfre is an author and freelance writer for multiple publications. She is a licensed social worker, earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Central Florida in 2020. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. Jessica is the co-founder and CFO of Inspire Up, a 501c3 nonprofit promoting global generosity and kindness through education, empowerment, and community building. She is the spouse of an active duty Coast Guardsman and mother of two. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading a good book and drinking too much coffee.

Stop Making Assumptions About PTSD

As a society, we are messing up. Two decades ago, we were struggling to come to terms with the importance… Read More

Loneliness is Killing Military Spouses

The title to this Op-Ed is going to invoke reactions. Either you’re in the camp that’s nodding along with me… Read More

This Coast Guard Spouse is a Champion Against Military Kid Bullying

Abbigail McCracken was awarded the title of AFI Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year in 2022 and since then,… Read More

Suicide Prevention: The Green Beret Foundation is Standing in the Gap for America’s Elite Warfighters

Photo credit, courtesy of Brent Cooper America’s Special Operations Forces are the most elite warriors in the world. Though they… Read More

Surviving Navy SEAL Spouse Wants You to Stay

Photos courtesy of Sara Wilkinson After 21 years of service – Navy SEAL Senior Chief Chad Wilkinson took his life… Read More

Happy Birthday USCG: Why Some Claim the Coast Guard is the Oldest and Most Badass Branch

From We Are the Mighty | Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann. August 4, 2022 marks the Coast… Read More

New Enlisted Leader Reflects on Coast Guard’s 232nd Birthday

When Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones enlisted in 1995, leading the service’s enlisted workforce was… Read More

Dreamer, Believer, Fighter: Proud Navy Spouse, Girl-dad, and Country Music Star, Grayson Rogers is Making Life Extraordinary, One Note at a Time

Grayson Rogers is passionate about country music and building his career. He’s also a proud new girl-dad and Navy spouse,… Read More

Green Beret Veteran Tackles Mental Health Through the Great Outdoors

Evidence based studies have long demonstrated the power of being outside in the sunshine and fresh clean air. And for… Read More

Military Family Building Coalition Partners With WINFertility to Serve Those Who Serve

See Inside Creating a family can be challenging for everyone, but most especially for our active-duty military families. From trying… Read More

Military Teens Bloom Wherever They Are Planted

Worlds apart, two friends create a space for military teens and give them a voice. Written by Jessica Manfre, Photographed… Read More

Veteran Air Force Flight Medic Receives Makeover in Honor of Her Service

Valerie Essman came from a long line of service to others. Deciding between entering the medical field or wearing a… Read More

5 Winter Travel Tips: Don’t Let the Cold Stop You From Traveling AND Enjoying It

As a girl who was born and raised in Florida, the shock of true winter in some of our duty… Read More

The Courage to Say No

As military spouses, we know time is limited –– maybe more so than our civilian counterparts, because we see how… Read More

Retired Air Force OSI Agent Reflects on 20 Years of Service and Endless Wars

Retired Air Force MSgt. Adam Boccher was fortunate to walk away from war after 20 years of faithful service. A… Read More

Suicide Prevention: Don’t Just Talk About It

September is national Suicide Prevention Month and now more than ever, participating in or supporting the campaign needs to be… Read More

20 Years After September 11th: Finding Resolve Again

When terrorists attacked America on 9/11, everything changed. We’d turn the page to a new chapter in our country’s story… Read More

Hiring Our Heroes Identifies Mental Health Link in Military Spouse Unemployment

Purpose and mental health wellbeing have long been connected by indisputable evidence and research. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s… Read More