Starr News Autumn 2012

A U T U M N

STARR

2012 I V O L U M E 69 N O

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STARR COMMONWEALTH

RESIDENTIAL

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COMMUNITY-BASED

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We Think The World of Kids

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PROFESSIONAL

TRAININGS

Inside: Founder’s Day 2012 with Dick Vitale Focus on the Military Starr Detroit Academy Grand Opening

STARR I MPACTI NG

Founder’s Day 2012 See Page 4

1.5 MI L LI O N CHI LDREN A ND FA MI L I ES WO RL DWI DE

CREATE

POSITIVE

ENVIRONMENTS

WHERE

CHILDREN

FLOURISH

Contents

Focus on the Military See Page 12

Starr News Autumn, 2012 Volume 69, No. 4 Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children.

Starr Commonwealth is a non-profit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color, or national origin. Founded in 1913, Starr is licensed by the states of Michigan and Ohio and serves children and families from locations in Albion, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Clinton Township, MI.; Van Wert, and Columbus, OH; and Lennox, S.D. The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site. Starr Commonwealth receives funds from social agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Kyle Caldwell, Chairman of the Board; Martin L. Mitchell, Ed. D., President and Chief Executive Officer; Christopher L. Smith, B.B.A., C.P.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer; Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy & Administrative Services Officer; Gary Q. Tester, MRC, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 info@starr.org

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President’s Message

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Dick Vitale at Founder’s Day

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2012 Scholarship Recipients

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Distinguished Alumni Award

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Starr Detroit Academy Opens

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Alliance for Children & Families

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Chaplain’s Message

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Dr. Marcia Kent

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TLC: Focus on the Military

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Commonwealthalia

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Goodness Made Visible

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Honor & Memorial Gifts

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Alumni Survey / Thanks

This issue of Starr News wraps up 2012 by recapping a number of terrific events, in addition to introducing some of the exciting developments within our organization.

As I reflect on the past year, I think about how recent economic turmoil throughout the world has brought about many challenges for Starr, as well as the child and family services field as a whole.

But while we have been through some tough times and face more moving forward, we are positioning Starr for future growth and success in 2013, while continuing our mission of creating positive environments where children flourish.

For almost 100 years, Starr has provided children and families with innovative programs that bring out the best in every child. Moving toward our next 100 years, we want to continue to offer relevant, highly impactful services, while spreading our knowledge and influence to communities worldwide.

That is why Starr continues to develop highly successful programming that will positively impact children and families through our residential campuses, community-based programs, educational services like Starr Detroit Academy and the Starr Global Learning Network, all while renewing our dedication to staff engagement and superior customer service.

We have hired numerous, highly qualified staff members in the areas of human resources and talent management, business development, finance and programming, with the goal of employing only those dedicated to Starr’s mission and improving the lives of children.

Our senior leadership is developing a leading-edge customer service plan with the assistance of nationally recognized customer service experts and pioneers that will allow us to better serve children and their families.

We intend to take full advantage of our knowledge base, which includes some of the world’s foremost experts in the fields of positive psychology, strength-based treatment, trauma-informed care, resilience and racial healing.

This will be a very important year for Starr Commonwealth. Not only are we celebrating our 100th anniversary of offering quality services, we continue to take innovative approaches to identifying the best, most-needed services and how to deliver them in a remarkable way.

Although we will face many challenges in the future, Starr is prepared to meet each one. We believe that our organization will continue to flourish, like so many of the children and families we serve.

At Starr, we think the world of kids. We always have. We always will. And we’ll go anywhere and everywhere to reach them.

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D., President/ CEO

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DICK VITALE

Dick Vitale received Starr’s Child Advocacy Award because of his dedication to helping children.

Few approach life with the same vigor and positive attitude as Dick Vitale. With his seemingly endless supply of energy and clever catchphrases, Vitale has captivated millions of basketball fans throughout his career as a coach and commentator.

But it is his dedication to philanthropy and improving countless lives that affects children and families across the globe.

Because of his involvement with helping children, Starr Commonwealth presented Vitale with the Child Advocacy Award at Founder’s Day, held Sunday, Oct. 7, which commemorated the 99th anniversary of Starr’s dedication to children and families.

At the event, Vitale shared a message with Starr’s youth of how to approach life with positivity and passion.

If you are passionate about life and being successful, Vitale said, you will be rewarded.

He told a story about Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a former NBA superstar and basketball player at Michigan State University, and how Johnson became such a great player.

“When I was coaching at the University of Detroit, I tried to recruit Magic, who was at Lansing Everett High School at the time,” Vitale said. “He was such a great player, and every coach in America wanted to have that kid come play for them.”

To avoid being one of many coaches to bombard Johnson after school, Vitale and his assistant coaches attempted to get to Johnson’s house early in the morning to speak with him. Driving from Detroit to Lansing in snow and ice, Vitale made it to Johnson’s house before school. When Vitale knocked on the door, Johnson’s mother answered.

“Mrs. Johnson came to the door and said, ‘Earvin’s not here. He’s where he always is before school. He’s at the playground,’” Vitale said. “I said, ‘Come on, Mrs. Johnson, we just want to speak with Earvin for a few minutes.’

She insisted he wasn’t home, and when we drove to the playground, sure enough, he was there. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. It’s 6:30, 7 in the morning, and this kid’s out there shoveling snow, dribbling and shooting.”

Vitale said it is that type of dedication that is essential to becoming great at whatever one chooses.

“He didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be Magic,” Vitale said. “He was Magic because he worked harder than everyone else and gained that competitive edge.”

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During his speech, Vitale made many references to his new book, which is his 10th publication, “Getting a W in the Game of Life.”

Welcome from Marty Mitchell

“Every dollar from the sale of this book goes to pediatric cancer research,” Vitale said. “I don’t make a dime off of this book, but I’m so proud of it. It’s not about basketball. It’s about the game we all play – the game of life.”

In the book, Vitale discusses his T.E.A.M. method of success, which includes togetherness, enthusiasm, attitude and mental toughness and how it can be used to address issues like violence, drugs and alcohol, bullying and other challenges.

The All Starr Choir performing

"There's no greater gift than that of a team," Vitale said. "And a lot of (Starr youth) have your family as your team, but it doesn't have to be your blood family. There's a teacher at Starr, an instructor, a coach, a mentor who loves you, and you're all so blessed to be here with folks who care about you and want you to succeed.”

Vitale said he would not be where he is today without the help of his team. continued on page 6

Vitale told a story about Earvin “Magic” Johnson and how he became such a great player. “He was Magic because he worked harder than everyone else and gained that competitive edge.”

Janet, a Montcalm School alumna, had many pieces of artwork displayed at the President’s Reception on Founder’s Day, including this portrait.

We would like to thank Janet for her inspiring work.

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Founder’s Day continued

“I’m in 11 different Halls of Fame,” Vitale said. “Look at me. I can’t run, jump, shoot or pass, but I have a tremendous team around me. My wife, my kids and my coworkers are the reason I have been successful.”

He spoke of his appreciation for Starr’s dedication to improving the lives of children and families.

“I really love that saying about ‘there’s no such thing as a bad child,’” Vitale said. “I truly believe that, and (Starr Commonwealth Founder) Floyd Starr sounds like my kind of guy. I can just see the passion from (President and CEO) Marty (Mitchell) and the rest of the staff when they talk about this organization.”

“There’s no greater gift than that of a team – a teacher at Starr, a coach, a mentor – folks who care about you and want you to succeed.” – Dick Vitale

Vitale’s final message to Starr’s youth was one of accountability. He believes that despite all of the assistance from Starr, the direction their lives take is ultimately up to them.

“Don’t be a chump, be a champ,” Vitale said. “You have to go out there and get it. It’s all up to you.”

For more information on Dick Vitale and his new book, visit www.dickvitaleonline.com.

2012-13 Starr Scholarship Recipients

Bernardo Murray State University

Diamond Bowling Green State University

Caitlin Columbus Culinary Institute

Raven Kellogg Community College (Hastings)

Jordan Tiffin University

Bryce Bowling Green State University Domenic Thomas More College Sarah Schoolcraft College Lisa Grand Rapids Community College

Timothy Kalamazoo Valley Community College Dylan Oakland University Al Beckfield College Lily Hope College Caitlin Miami University (Ohio) Rodney University of Toledo

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Alex Gannon University Robert Grand Canyon University Sarah Central Michigan University Justin Kalamazoo Valley Community College Bryan Olympic College Bryan College of Central Florida David Madison Media Institute Allison Mott Community College Nina Indiana University

Samuel Washtenaw Community College Michael Ohio Dominican University Curtis Northwestern Technological Institute Sarah Wayne County Community College Bethami DePaul University Anastasia Breckenridge School of Nursing Frank University of Phoenix Jermaine Wayne County Community College

Linda Eastern Kentucky University

Cameron Wake Technical Community College

Amanda Missouri Baptist University

David Framingham State University

Dustin University of Rio Grande

Henry DePaul University

Dane University of Iowa

Michael Western Michigan University

Ian ITT Technical Institute

Michael Wayne State University

Leif Hocking College

Steven Prescott College

Kevin Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Muhammad

Johnie Lawrence Technical University

Jonathan

Henry Ford Community College

Bellevue College

ALUMNI

Starr President Marty Mitchell congratulates Distinguished Alumni Award winner Stanley Thomas.

Having arrived at Starr Commonwealth July 15, 1957 to live initially at Wilcox Cottage, Stanley Thomas spent the next two years growing and participating in campus clubs and activities such as the bible club and choir.

He also wrote articles for the school newsletter, “The Redwing Banner,” reporting on such interesting topics as the chess club and science club news. The final day of Stanley’s experience at Starr was July 13, 1959.

Determined to flourish after leaving, Stanley has lived a very successful life through his devotion to his marriage, family, community and ministry. Stanley has become what we wish all Starr Commonwealth students to become – a well-respected member of the human family and highly respected at home and in the community. Recently, Stanley celebrated milestones of 50 years of involvement in ministry and 50 years of marriage. At this time, we wish to congratulate Stanley Thomas on receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, which was presented to him on Founder’s Day, Oct. 7. Each year, we bestow this award on one or more alumni who have made their lives an example of what we hope for all children who come through Starr’s programs. For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award or to nominate a Starr alum, visit www.starr.org/alumni or contact Amy Reimann at reimanna@starr.org or 800.837.5591.

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STARR DETROIT ACADEMY Right: Cindy Schumacher, Executive Director of The Center for Charter Schools at Central Micigan University and Jeremy Vidito, School Director of Starr Detroit Academy

In 2009, Starr Commonwealth acquired the Children’s Home of Detroit, a well-respected organization with a rich, 172-year history.

Pledging to reinvest those resources into the city, Starr organized a committee called Vision Detroit.

The Vision Detroit Committee conceived the idea of a charter school, and Starr Detroit Academy was born.

On Sept. 4, 2012, all the hours of preparation and planning by dozens of instrumental people came to fruition on the first day of school in the form of K-5 students in uniforms, quietly walking the halls in straight lines and chanting school pride slogans when prompted by staff.

To celebrate the milestone, Starr Detroit Academy held a grand opening event Tuesday, Sept. 18. In attendance were students from the school, staff, school board members, the Starr Commonwealth Educational Services board, Starr Commonwealth staff, Starr Board of Trustees members and many special guests from the community.

Also in attendance were representatives from Central Michigan University, which gave Starr authorization to open a charter school. The representatives said the enrollment at Starr Detroit Academy was more than two times larger than the next biggest charter school CMU has authorized. As of October, the academy is serving over 520 children.

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Cindy Schumacher, Executive Director of The Center for Charter Schools at CMU, spoke to those at the event about how excited CMU was to work with Starr. Starr’s reputation for helping children, she said, made this a great opportunity for a successful school.

“It’s wonderful to be here today celebrating the opening of Starr Detroit Academy,” Schumacher said. “Starr Commonwealth has a great tradition of serving children, and the staff at Starr Detroit Academy are here because they care about giving (the students) an opportunity to be successful.”

The mission of Starr Detroit Academy is to prepare students for academic mastery, college, work and life. School Director Jeremy Vidito said staff members at the school take that mission very seriously.

“We will be working every day to achieve our goals and further our mission,” Vidito said. “Starr Detroit Academy is dedicated to these students and helping them get to college. We want all of our students to be productive community members throughout their lives.”

Starr Detroit Academy is located at 19360 Harper Ave., in Harper Woods, Mich. To learn more about Starr Detroit Academy, visit www.starracademy.org.

Alliance for Children and Families National Conference A number of Starr staff recently attended or presented at the Alliance for Children and Families National Conference held in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 17-19. The conference provides the opportunity for national peer networking while featuring speakers and workshops that address key issues and trends affecting the nonprofit children’s services sector. Starr has been a member organization of the Alliance since 1998.

Presentations included two Starr Global Learning Network members. Bill Steele, Founder of TLC, presented on Advancing Trauma-Informed Practices, and Jim Longhurst, Senior Vice President of Clinical Research, provided a workshop focused on Glasswing®: Racial Healing in the Workplace and Community.

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How many of you remember the Broadway musical “Hair?”

Of all the great music from this musical, my favorite is, “What a Piece of Work is Man,” inspired by Psalm 8. If I can remember the song correctly, the composer interprets the first verses of Psalm 8 this way:

In other words, the song, like the Psalm, is saying that the crowning piece of God’s creation is you, me, us. What a powerful statement!

However, a quick look at today’s headlines, or the varied stories and noises from the media, or scanning the world around us, and we get a different picture of God’s crowning piece of creation. With all of the bad news, it’s so easy to become disappointed and depressed with humankind. With you, me, us.

Yet, in the midst of disappointment and despair, God is constantly whispering in our ears and reminding us who we are. During our recent Founder’s Day, as Starr celebrated 99 years of service to young people and their families, God whispered in our ears through two outstanding individuals, “Preacher Stan,” Stan Thomas and “Dickie V,” Dick Vitale.

During Chapel Service, Pastor Thomas, a former Starr boy and distinguished alumnus, reminded those gathered, especially our young people, how love can make a difference in their lives. He shared with them his story, how he came to Starr Commonwealth, and what he learned while here. And what he learned was how deep, wide, generous and forgiving is God’s love. A love freely given to him by Floyd Starr and a love he has given to others during 50 years of ministry.

Stan didn’t deserve the love. It was given to him because Starr Founder Floyd Starr understood who Stan was and what God had created him to be.

Through enthusiasm, storytelling and laughter, Dick Vitale conveyed to our young people and to all in attendance just how special and unique each person is.

A bright future is there for each one if they are willing to work hard, live life with enthusiasm and passion, seeking to do what is right not only for themselves but also for others. He wanted each one of us to understand, especially our young people, that we are “awesome, baby!”

Starr Distinguised Alumnus Stan Thomas, preaching about God’s forgiving love at the Founder’s Day Chapel service.

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Chaplain Ken Ponds

CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE

What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason; How infinite in faculties, in form and moving; How expressed and admirable, in action how like an angel; In apprehension how like a god; The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals.

DR. MARCIA KENT From a very young age, Dr. Marcia Kent learned the value of giving back. Growing up on a farm with parents who modeled service to their community would set the tone for her personally and professionally.

Dr. Marcia Kent, Senior Vice President of Medical Services

“It has always been very important to me to be able to make a positive difference in the world around me,” Dr. Kent said. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of the world’s solutions, not the problems, and my contribution to my surroundings has evolved over time.”

Dr. Kent joined Starr Commonwealth in October, fulfilling the role of Senior Vice President of Medical Services.

“I never thought I would be the vice president of anything,” Dr. Kent said. “But my career path has evolved as a product of finding out where my skills and talents are.”

She came to Starr from the Seattle area, where she worked as a child psychiatrist at a community mental health agency. Dr. Kent’s experience involves practice in a wide range of clinical settings, including residential, outpatient and over 10 years of experience in private practice, performing assessments, therapy and medication management.

Dr. Kent is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Spring Arbor University, a medical degree from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and completed a psychiatry residency at MSU. She also completed a child and adolescent residency and a forensic residency at the University of Washington.

As impressive as her professional résumé is, perhaps more extraordinary is Dr. Kent’s passion for helping children and families.

“Dr. Kent brings a lot of wonderful experience to Starr Commonwealth,” said Chuck Jackson, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. “Her expertise in psychiatry is remarkable, but her enthusiasm and commitment to Starr’s mission of creating positive environments where children flourish is what attracted us to her.”

At Starr, Dr. Kent has been tasked with providing administrative oversight for the psychiatric and medical care provided at all Starr campuses across Michigan and Ohio. She is developing new features for the on-campus clinic in Albion, which will eventually provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management services, taking a holistic approach to treatment and the use of medications for symptom management.

“Over the past 10 years, I have evolved through my many roles as a therapist, psychopharmacologist, practice administrator, forensic expert and more recently as a parent to my three young boys,” Dr. Kent said. continued on page 13

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THE MILITARY

TLC seeks to improve the quality of life for military children and families by providing practical, relevant resources to parents and caregivers, as well as professionals who work with them.

Trauma-Informed and ResilienceFocused Virtual Resource Center for Military Parents TLC will incorporate its expertise into a web-based service, "TraumaInformed and Resilience-Focused Virtual Resource Center for Military Parents.� This free resource, which is available through a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, will provide a "one-stop" site for trauma-informed and resilience-focused information that is detailed, usable and age-specific.

Included will be information describing typical grief and trauma reactions and the difference between the two; ways parents can help their child deal with specific concerns; activities to engage children and help calm their anxieties; and more. Downloadable PDF worksheets and activities; recommended books and resources on grief and trauma; and helpful links to other websites will also be available. Military families may also contact TLC's clinical consulting staff, available to offer parents support and guidance regarding the child's grief or trauma; provide information for additional resources; and, if needed, refer parents to a TLC Certified Specialist in their area.

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U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought unprecedented challenges to military families. TLC military-specific resources can positively impact military familes across the world.

Write Out Loud – Online Course The 6-week, 1½ hour sessions include video clips to access military family issues, art activities such as creating collages and drawings, as well as tried and true journal techniques for personal and professional practice. Military culture, deployment, reintegration, the changed family unit and how to cope with the emotional turmoil of having a military family member are addressed.

U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought unprecedented challenges to military families. Nearly 800,000 service members, and their 2 million children, have experienced the psychological drain of multiple, prolonged deployments.

In its 2010 report, "Serving Those Who Serve: When Military Families Go to War," the Alliance for Children and Families listed lack of awareness and accessibility, overall costs, associated stigma, and concerns about confidentiality as difficulties encountered by military families seeking services, particularly for those who might seek mental health treatment through the military. Those who seek outside help may find that lay practitioners lack the understanding needed to work with this unique culture. TLC knows that the military-specific resources that it provides will positively impact military families across the world.

“All of this has led to my conviction that psychiatric treatment must move to an approach that uses therapy, diet and exercise, educational interventions, family work and environmental change, with less reliance on complex drug regiments to manage the pain and discomfort of psychiatric symptoms.”

Dr. Marcia Kent continued

While Dr. Kent always knew she wanted to help others, it was not until college that she found her true calling.

“In college, I learned that I was a good listener and that other people came to me with their problems,” Dr. Kent said. “I realized that I like to solve problems and have an intuitive sense of people’s emotional states, to go along with an ability to stand back and see where problems could transform into solutions.”

Once Dr. Kent enrolled in medical school, she realized that the best fit for her would be in psychiatry, allowing her to listen to patients on a more intimate level.

“I really liked the pace and time allotted that allowed me to really listen to people,” Dr. Kent said. “You don’t get that opportunity in other, faster-paced or procedureoriented medical fields.”

Her desire to help children stems largely from a difficult time in her personal life, while coping with the death of her niece to cancer.

“My passion for helping kids really came together with the skills I was gaining at that poignant time in my life when my niece passed away,” Dr. Kent said. “The psychological aspects of helping children seemed very important to me at the time and remain vital today. It’s helped to shape where I am today, which is a proud member of the Starr family. I’m hoping to make a positive impact at Starr, and I think I bring something the agency hasn’t had before. Hopefully my knowledge and skills can make this an even more incredible organization.”

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COMMONWEALTH

by Amy Reimann, Director of Archives

Service in the military has long been an option for students upon their exit from Starr Commonwealth and its many varied programs.

“Uncle” Floyd Starr estimated that as many as 500 Starr Commonwealth alumni served in any of the branches of the military during World War II. In honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, we would like to profile a few of Starr’s veterans here.

Probably the most decorated alumnus to serve is Walker Harris. Mr. Harris was a student at Starr from October 1940 until June 1942, when he entered the Army at age 17. He served as a radiogunner with the 489th Bombardment Squadron in Italy, where the plane he was manning was shot down in action. He was reported missing in action and eventually as a POW. For Starr Commonwealth his actions alumnus Walker Harris during WWII, Mr. Harris was awarded the following military honors: seven battle stars, the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, the air medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. Mr. Harris received these honors for duty served before he was 20 years of age.

Old editions of Starr News are full of reports of alumni serving in all fronts and in all branches 14

of the military. There are countless remarkable stories. A letter published in the September 1945 issue was authored by Pfc. Carl Hulsman, who was stationed on the Western Front for many months. He wrote of his experience liberating concentration camps in East Prussia and Buchenwald. He wrote, “I have seen and I believe.”

Many in the U.S. had not heard of the camp atrocities or did not believe they could certainly exist. Pfc. Hulsman went on to describe the horrors he saw and ended his letter with, “It is good to remember that there are such places as Starr Commonwealth. Germany should have had some SCBs (Starr Commonwealth boys).”

Lawrence Martin served in Vietnam as a swift boat pilot and has written his memoir titled, “As I Recall,” a moving and accurate depiction of life in the country during the height of the conflict.

Mr. Martin served two distinct military careers, first in the Navy and then after full service there, served in the Army for a full career. Mr. Martin is enjoying his retirement in the Northwest of the U.S. and is in frequent contact with Starr.

We would like to document other alumni service and have received updates through the recent alumni survey. If you have an alumni military service story to share, please contact Amy Reimann at reimanna@starr.org or at 800.837.5591.

Honor a veteran.

Here’s the perfect opportunity to honor a veteran or others like alumni and staff, and tell the world of your support for them and Starr Commonwealth. When you reserve a commemorative brick, bench or picnic table, you get to choose the Starr campus – Albion or Columbus – where you’d like it displayed.

You also get to choose the message you’d like engraved, and your tax-deductible charitable contribution will help our campuses remain beautiful, comfortable and easily accessible for all.

Take a minute now to fill out the attached order form below and own a piece of the walk.

Please return the form below along with payment to: Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd., Albion, MI 49224

Official Order Form Designate a Campus:

Mr. & Mrs.

__Albion Campus

Mr.

Mrs.

Ms.

___Columbus Campus

Miss

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your Name Daytime Phone Email _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address City State Zip Designation:

___Memorial

___Honor

___Chapel

___4"x 8" Bricks (1 to 3 lines) at $100/each = _________ ___8"x 8" Bricks (1 to 6 lines) at $200/each = _________ ___Bench at $2000/each = _________ (1-4 lines; 25 spaces) ___Picnic Table at $1500/each =_________ (1-4 lines; 25 spaces) Total Donation

_________

Please bill my ___VISA

___MC

___AMEX

___Check enclosed

____________________________________________ Card #

____________________________________________ Expiration Date

___Employee

___Alumni

GOODNESS MADE VISIBLE Starr Columbus Executive Director Okpara Rice and Development Board member and Event Chair Linda Flickinger presented David Johnson with the Goodness Made Visible Award.

Starr Columbus’ annual fundraising event, Goodness Made Visible, was held on Oct. 18, 2012 at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

The event, coordinated and hosted by the Starr Columbus Development Board and staff, raises awareness of the impact Starr Columbus has on at-risk and vulnerable children and families in the community.

During the 2012 fiscal year, which extends from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012, Starr Columbus’ impact was estimated at 1,230, with direct service provided to 544 youth through the community-based, early intervention and prevention, residential and mental health programs offered.

The evening’s program included performances by the All Starr Travel Choir, a moving testimonial by a youth impacted by Starr Columbus programming and a variety of speakers including Ohio Development Director Katie Oatsvall, Starr Columbus Executive Director Okpara Rice, President of the Starr Columbus Development Board Wally Bakare and Development Board member and Event Chair Linda Flickinger.

Starr Columbus staff and the Starr Columbus Development Board would like to recognize the following organizations for their sponsorship of Goodness Made Visible: Gold sponsors Time Warner Cable, Nationwide and Ice Miller; Silver sponsor Fifth Third Bank; and Bronze sponsor Automatiq Measurement.

Without the support of the Starr Columbus Development Board volunteers and these sponsors, Starr Columbus would not be able to continuously improve upon its local impact. With much gratitude, Starr Columbus raised over $14,800 at the event that will directly benefit local youth in Starr Columbus programs.

Gold Sponsors:

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Silver Sponsor:

Help them take their learning to a higher level.

Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program Since 1978, we’ve provided 938 Starr graduates the opportunity to pursue higher education through the Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program.

Created in 1977 with the estate of former trustee Thomas Lloyd, the scholarship program provides financial assistance for those students in “good academic standing” who want to take their education to the next level. Last year, 57 students were awarded over $250,000 in fund assistance, however, total requests averaged over $370,000. Your generous donation will help us continue to provide scholarships to students who want to reach even higher.

Please donate today.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program, please contact Amy Reimann, Alumni Coordinator, at 800.837.5591 or reimanna@starr.org.

GIFTS HONOR GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person and/or a special occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, while also helping Starr children. When sending an honor gift, please provide the address of the honoree. We will send an acknowledgment card to let them know of your thoughtfulness, but we won’t mention the gift amount. You may call in your honor gift for faster acknowledgment at: 800.837.5591. Honor gifts also may be made online at: www.starr.org.

MEMORIAL GIFTS offer an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one, while extending a helping hand to the children of Starr Commonwealth. When sending a memorial gift, please provide the address of a family member of the deceased to whom we can send an acknowledgment card. We will let them know of your thoughtfulness but won’t mention the gift amount. You may call in your memorial gift for faster acknowledgment at: 800.837.5591.

Memorial donations also may be made online at: www.starr.org.

Here is a listing of Honor and Memorial gifts received from 7/10/2012 10/12/2012. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed. Gifts not listed here will appear in a future issue of Starr News. If we missed your name or an error has occurred with your listing, please forgive us and contact us so we may correct it in the next issue.

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IN HONOR OF: JENNA COPENHAVER Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wilson LAWRENCE AND FRANCES CROSBY Mr. Ryan Crosby ED AND ALICE DWADA Mr. and Mrs. Michael McElroy TIM AND JILL FAKO Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Olson VANESSA A. FERRI Ms. Jennifer Ferri ELI ALEXANDER FLEETWOOD Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stuever JAYE ELIZABETH FLEETWOOD Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stuever ALISON KATHRYN FLEETWOOD Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stuever GEORGE AND JUDITH GOODMAN 50th ANNIVERSARY Ms. Helen M. Craft Mr. and Mrs. S. Andrew Doud Mr. Mark Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Hampton Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hooker Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Hutchison Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Johns Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Puttkammer Mr. and Mrs. Merton J. Segal Ms. Jewell A. Taylor Mr. Terral L. Taylor Ms. Deloris M. Wensel FELIPE MORALES Mr. Schott Sturgis Tac Manufacturing EASTON RANKIN Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Rankin MADDY SHAW HAYWOOD Dr. and Mrs. Brian Shaw

IN MEMORY OF: HARRIET BERGER Ms. Debbie McKinney HELEN BERRY Mrs. Walter Fisher LUCILE H. BRUNER Mr. and Mrs. William J. Burner JUSTINA DEIGHTON Dr. George H. Lauff

JANE K. GAMBS Mr. and Mrs. Craig Newman MARTIN M. GAUDIOSE Mr. and Mrs. Michael Domingo Mr. and Mrs. Martin K. Gaudiose Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. O'Linn The Bureau of Insurance WAYNE L. HARTMAN Goidosik, Morse & VanDeusen, PLC Stanek and Company JON P. HAWKS Mr. and Mrs. Michael Domingo Dr. and Mrs. Andrew French EDWARD G.HOWE Mr. and Mrs. Brian V. Howe DR. GORDON G. KNAPP Mrs. Joan B. Knapp TERRANCE LAHIFF Ms. Rose LaHiff LOUISA BLACK LANGE Family of Louisa Black Lange Mrs. Ada Mead MARY LATTA Ms. Debbie McKinney BERNARD J. LAUFF Dr. George H. Lauff JOHN (JACK) LAUFF Dr. George H. Lauff DR. KIRK LEE Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness ALBERT LILLY Mr. and Mrs. Richard Magsig GUNNAR LINDAHL Mrs. Ruth Lindahl JESSIE LONGHURST Dr. and Mrs. James Longhurst DOROTHY MCCREADY Mr. and Mrs. Richard Magsig MAX L. MITCHELL Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Champion Mrs. Kathy Lantz Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell THELMA MITCHELL Mr. and Mrs. John L. Ball Dr. and Mrs. Greg Barry Dr. and Mrs. Larry K. Brendtro Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Champion Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Crandall Ms. Christine Davis Mrs. Rebecca Davis Mr. and Mrs. Ted Davis Mr. and Mrs. Harley Dodge Mr. and Mrs. Michael Domingo

Mr. James L. Early Dr. and Mrs. Andrew French Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Gagnon Ms. Joan Gary Mr. and Mrs. George D. Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hampshire Ms. Janet M. Hankes Mr. and Mrs. David Hawblitz Mrs. Kathy Lantz Mr. James Lodder Mr. and Mrs. John Lodder Dr. and Mrs. James E. Longhurst Ms. Lauralee Macleod Dr. and Mrs. Russell G. Mawby Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Gary Myers Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Peters Mr. and Mrs. Dean Pridgeon Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pridgeon Mrs. Sylvia Richey Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Sherburne Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smith Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Stafford Mr. and Mrs. Gary Q. Tester Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Weber Mr. Matthew L. Westerman Ms. Elsie Williamson

CRAIG E. PETERS Mrs. Nancy Peters BARBARA ANN PLUDE Dr. and Mrs. Andrew French HAROLD A. POLING Mr. and Mrs. Ronald A. Tachuk DEAN PRIDGEON Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Champion & Family Ms. Kathy Lantz & Family Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell & Family RICHARD G. ROEDER Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Minninger CHAD M. SHELTON Ms. Donna Shelton ANDREW M. STAPLETON America II Corporation & Employees Ms. Dawn E. Chalker Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Craven Mr. David J. Den Houter Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gering Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Grazioli Mr. and Mrs. David E. Guastella Ms. T. Lynn Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hershey Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Hynek Dr. and Mrs. Gary J. Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Kijek Mr. and Mrs. Herb Linke

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lytle Ms. Colleen A. McDermott Mr. and Mrs. Tom Miner Mr. and Mrs. David B. Newby Mr. and Mrs. Tom Porter Dr. and Mrs. David Reimann Ms. Kathleen Reus Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Rhein Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Robert Savage Ms. Laurie Schlenke Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Smolinski Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Tauaine Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Whitehurst ROY AND ANITA TALO Mr. Raymond Opezzo CASEY TRAVER Mr. and Mrs. Michael Domingo MARY L. TRIM Dr. George H. Lauff LEE VOORAHEES Mr. and Mrs. George A. Martin MR. AND MRS. SYDNEY H. WARDELL Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Wardell BYRON J. WIGMAN Mr. and Mrs. Brian V. Howe MARVIN O. WEISS Mrs. Barbara Weiss

Alumni Survey Starr Commonwealth and Montcalm School are conducting an alumni survey!

If you are a Starr or Montcalm alumnus and have not received the survey by mail, please share your experiences with us online.

To complete the survey, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/Starr_Alumni_Survey or to request a mailed survey, contact Amy Reimann at reimanna@starr.org or 800.837.5591. Collective results from the alumni survey will be used to highlight and celebrate former student accomplishments. Results will be provided at our 100 year anniversary celebration on Oct. 6, 2013 and will also be published on our website at www.starr.org.

Summer Appeal Thank You! Because of you, our generous donors, we received more than $43,000 during our summer campaign providing a much needed boost in support of programs and services provided to at-risk and vulnerable youth all summer long.

We thank you for helping us create environments that nurture and support children and families in need through our community-based programs, specialized residential services and trainings for professionals.

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PAID Permit #975 Lansing, MI

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, Michigan 49224 www.starr.org

®

www.starrtraining.org

www.montcalmschool.org

Officers

Board of Trustees

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. President Chief Executive Officer

Kyle Caldwell, Chair President and CEO Michigan Nonprofit Association Lansing, MI

Christopher L. Smith, BBA, CPA Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA Executive Vice President Chief Clinical Officer Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW Executive Vice President Chief Strategy and Administrative Services Officer Gary Q. Tester, MRC Executive Vice President Chief Development Officer

Michael Leach, Vice Chair Chief Financial Officer Nationwide Insurance Columbus, OH Tom Kolassa, Secretary Senior Vice President Hub International Battle Creek, MI Honorable Eugene A. Moore, Immediate Past Chair Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI

Dr. Velma Clay Director of Equal Employment Opportunity (Retired) Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center Battle Creek, MI Lawrence Givens Blackmond and Givens, Inc. Southfield, MI George A. Goodman Ypsilanti, MI Honorable John Hallacy District Court Judge 10th District Court Battle Creek, MI

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591 Address service requested

Gary Taylor Owner Taylor Auto Sales Inc. Van Wert, OH Bruce Vande Vusse Attorney Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Farmington Hills, MI George Wilson General Agent Wilson Insurance Services Gilbert Wiseman Agency Flint, MI

Trustees Emeritus

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA Sylvia Starr Richey Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Seal Beach, CA

President Emeritus Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

Jack Kresnak President and CEO (Retired) Michigan’s Children Lansing, MI

Margaret Starr Leutheuser Daughter of Floyd Starr Haverford, PA

Locations

Dr. Pamela Lemerand Professor Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI

Michael J. Gable Chief Operating Officer Howard and Howard Royal Oak, MI

Michigan: Albion, Battle Creek, Detroit, Harper Woods, Clinton Township

Scott Bennett Vice President UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI

Albert Little Vice President and Business Development Officer Greenleaf Trust Kalamazoo, MI

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI

Ohio: Van Wert, Columbus

Ralph J. Burrell President and CEO SymCon, Inc. Detroit, MI

William C. Rands Managing Partner Sagres Partners, L.P. Grosse Pointe, MI

Craig Carrel President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI

Cornelia Romanowski Educator Shavertown, PA

Wally Bakare VP of Operations, Time Warner Cable – Mid-Ohio Division, Columbus, OH

Erick Stewart President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI

Dr. Russell G. Mawby Chairman Emeritus W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

South Dakota: Lennox