.org
Stars Project participants in Teen Union Building’s library, September 2008
Stars Project offers a range of services in New York City to help youth develop the skills and interpersonal relationships that will serve them well throughout their lives. Our programs feature a variety of positive, learningoriented activities, from educational resources for grade-schoolers, to social happenings for teens, to onthe-job training for young adults.
What are We Trying to Achieve? In 1956, Benjamin Bloom developed “The Six Levels of Intellectual Skill Building,” a system for assessing young people’s intellectual development and planning educational objectives. We use these six defined skill levels to evaluate young individuals’ intellectual abilities and to plan activities that will help them progress through each level of intellectual skill building.
KNOWLEDGE
The student can recall facts and information. Success at this level means the student can: recall who, what, when, where; match; identify; arrange in sequential order; describe.
ANALYSIS
The student breaks down what has been learned into smaller parts and examines it. Success at this level means the student can: distinguish reality from fantasy; compare and contrast; differentiate fact from opinion; categorize; organize; structure.
SYNTHESIS
The student creates something new and original from what has been learned. Success at this level means the student can: plan; create; write; design; pretend; compose; visualize; solve.
COMPREHENSION
The student understands what has been taught. Success at this level means the student can: interpret; answer why; explain; predict; describe; draw; infer; substitute; summarize.
EVALUATION
The studentmakes a judgment and supports it. Success at this level means the student can: decide, appraise; make a recommendation; judge; argue; debate; defend; weigh; discuss; assess; measure.
APPLICATION
The student uses what has been learned and applies it to self or to something new. Success at this level means the student can: classify; transfer an event or character; personalize; extend; illustrate; demonstrate; reason, If... then...; ask: Has this happened to me? or, What would I do?
Stars Project participants in one of our biyearly basketball tournaments, May 2008
Empowering Young Individuals
TEEN UNION BUILDING
BUILDING HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-9 PM, Wednesdays 1-9 PM, Fridays 3-11 PM, and Saturdays 4-11 PM. AGES SERVED: All teens ages 13-19 in the local community. Membership is required (free of charge). LOCATION: Peter Thomas Park, 348 Lexington Ave., New York, NY CONTACT: (212) 822-3088
Stars Projects’ Teen Union Building is a recreation, resource, and arts center that strives to meet and exceed the social and cultural needs of young people. Teen Union Building is a state-of-the-art, youth-driven facility equipped with a cafe, music recording studio, photography darkroom, technology lab, and art studio. On Friday and Saturday nights, the venue hosts live music, dances or other events on its main stage. The smaller, second stage serves as a lowkey, cafe-style venue for solo performers and small groups. Fridays are Teen Union Building’s “Teen Feed” night, where young people can enjoy a free dinner at 6 PM. During the week, the Teen Union Building provides civic engagement and leadership opportunities; job training and employment skills workshops; arts and music programs; recreational activities; and a variety of classes geared towards young people. Young people can meet with a free confidential counselor, get help with homework, or access other Stars Projects services.
Major on encouragement. The rule of thumb is: for every one word of criticism, offer ten words of encouragement. Most kids know, and are often told, all the things that are wrong with them. Be a safe refuge of encouragement and affirmation. Choose to believe in kids when no one else does. Help them see they are important and signiďŹ cant.
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLHOUSE
The Neighborhood Schoolhouse (NSH) is a communitybased learning and family support center at Redmond Elementary School. It is a gathering place where neighbors can experience lifelong learning and get connected to vital community resources. Families and children participate in a wide variety of fun, educational activities, including Family Fun Nights, tennis programs, family dinners, art and science activities, dance programs, parenting classes, and more. Activities are available before and after school, six days a week during the school year. To accommodate parents’ work schedules, parenting classes and family activities are offered in the evening. In the 2006/07 school year, NSH served more than 600 people–46% of whom were from schools other than Redmond Elementary. Approximately 140 children participate weekly in the NSH after-school programs.
46% REQUIREMENTS: Classes are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Reduced-tuition scholarships are available to lowincome families. Full scholarships are available if the family either qualifies for free or reduced breakfast / lunch program; has a Public Assistance Medical Card; or is an unemployed, single-parent household. AGES SERVED: Students from Redmond Elementary School and other local schools (grades K-6) and their families. CONTACT: Jessica FalknerHorine (212) 702-3409
out of 600 people the percentage of whom were from schools other than Redmond Elementary.
54% out of 600 people the percentage of whom were from Redmond Elementary.
Stars Project participants in a dance class, November 2008
A crucial aspect of leadership development is allowing people to make decisions, and letting them take responsibility for their decisions.*
Stars Project’s Workforce Development programs seek to provide young people with career opportunities within the community; the initiative has been proven effective in curbing trouble after school lets out. It’s based on the idea that youth who are engaged in meaningful and enriching activities are more likely to make healthy choices.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
CONTACT: Gaye Ishimaru (212) 869-6490
92%
*
of our participants graduated high school
Set limits on responsibility and then step back and let go.* Youth need the freedom to succeed or fail and learn from the experience. *52% of our participants are less likely to skip school
Stars Project participants improve their repairing skills offered in Workforce Development program, March 2008.
.org
Support Our Work As the populations of New York has increased over the past few decades, so too have the numbers of young people grappling with issues such as homelessness, family violence and substance abuse. Friends of Youth exists solely to deal with those issues. Since 1951, we have been providing a broad range of services for youth in challenging circumstances. Our team of skilled, dedicated employees and volunteers has delivered a strong track record of positively impacting young people’s lives. In addition to government grants, Stars Project relies on private donations to maintain its staff and keep operations running at the highest level. So please give today, whether as an individual or on behalf of a corporation. You’ll be keeping the local community strong, you’ll invest in the next generation, and you’ll make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it the most.
DONATE NOW: The clients served by Stars Project are at a vulnerable life stage. Without direction and motivation, they are at risk of falling victim to negative influences or circumstances, including homelessness, violence or gangs, substance abuse, pregnancy, abuse or neglect. Your gift to Stars Project helps guarantee a safe place for them to live, as well as the support they need–including treatment and counseling–to develop greater independence and emotional well-being. Please make checks payable to Stars Project, and mail to: Stars Project 1625 E 87th Street Suite A-6 New York, NY 10052
*
78% of our participants went to college
Developing youth potential means focusing our efforts on creating the positive conditions and individual assets that foster the presence of resiliency factors and offset risk factors. We need to toward our efforts for creating positive opportunities to develop youth potential.*
Why Give?
No matter how much you give, donating will improve the lives of young people in your community.* Your donation will help them meet the challenges of growing up into happy, conďŹ dent young adults. * 66% of our participants found a job
Stars Project participants rehearsing a play, February 2008.
An astounding 100% of youths leaving the Stars Project foster care program at age 18 are currently either working or in school.
.org
Board of Directors for 2007-2008
NAME
AFFILIATION
Karla Easton , Chair Bill Savoy , Vice Chair Ellen Boyer , Treasurer Teresa Dahl , Secretary William Barclay Brett Bibby Aaron Bigby Bob Bowen Jeff Bradley Phil Crocker Jeff Griffin Terry Hall Keith Kaiser Christopher Roe Lori Stutsman Richard J. Wallis William Barclay Brett Bibby Aaron Bigby Bob Bowen Jeff Bradley Phil Crocker Jeff Griffin Terry Hall William Barclay Brett Bibby Aaron Bigby Bob Bowen Jeff Bradley Phil Crocker Jeff Griffin Terry Hall Keith Kaiser Christopher Roe Lori Stutsman Richard J. Wallis Keith Kaiser Christopher Roe Lori Stutsman Richard J. Wallis
Owner, Kids Club & Sole Food Former President, Vulcan, Inc. COO/CFO, Kibble & Prentice Principal, Dahl & Associates Senior Vice President,Columbia Bank Senior Account Executive, All Star Directories Partner, Northcraft, Bigby & Biggs, P.C. Executive Director of Advancement, World Vision Partner, OneAccord Account Executive, Rogers & Norman, Inc. Deputy Chief, Eastside Fire & Rescue Partner, Wolfstone, Panchot & Bloch Executive VP Property, GVA Kidder Matthews The Boeing Company President, Extra Mile Marketing Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation Senior Vice President,Columbia Bank Senior Account Executive, All Star Directories Partner, Northcraft, Bigby & Biggs, P.C. Executive Director of Advancement, World Vision Partner, OneAccord Account Executive, Rogers & Norman, Inc. Deputy Chief, Eastside Fire & Rescue Partner, Wolfstone, Panchot & Bloch Senior Vice President,Columbia Bank Senior Account Executive, All Star Directories Partner, Northcraft, Bigby & Biggs, P.C. Executive Director of Advancement, World Vision Partner, OneAccord Account Executive, Rogers & Norman, Inc. Deputy Chief, Eastside Fire & Rescue Partner, Wolfstone, Panchot & Bloch Executive VP Property, GVA Kidder Matthews The Boeing Company President, Extra Mile Marketing Associate General Counsel, Executive VP Property, GVA Kidder Matthews The Boeing Company President, Extra Mile Marketing Associate General Counsel,
“There are many reasons to volunteer your time to Stars Project. One of them is that Stars Project is very supportive with a great staff. Small things like taking the kids on a tour add a personal touch to their lives. While they can never replace a good family home, such small personal touches by someone who believes in them have a lot of leverage in making the kids feel good.” —Aidan, Stars Project volunteer