MAY 2019
ASTEROIDEA First Edition
DOUBLE
THE IMPACT
BOARD MEMBERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Gisele Double the Impact Our Goal to Serve More Marion County Teens
Coming Full Circle From Scholar, to Alum, to Mentor The Story of Adriana Zermeno
The M. A. T. C. H. Specialists Mediators, Advocates, Trailblazers, Champions, & Hearts for Marion County Teens
Doubling the Impact Connecting with Starfish 2019-2020 Event Calendar
Donald Agin, Jr. Aylin Bartlett Jane Beaman Karen Daugherty Mike Feeney Craig Fornter – Intern Tom Funk Steve Gillman Monique Jackson - Intern Eric Johnson Thomas Lazard Patrick Lenihan Tom Malasto Mike McCann Angela Michael Gisela Miller Ryan Miller Dawn Moore Dan Nierste William E. Padgett Tonya Lengar Sanders David E. Van Reken, M.D. Vincent Viveros Emily A. Wilson Gisele Garraway **
CREATIVE SERVICES Girt Enterprises, LLC
For additional info contact Jennifer McCloud at jennifer@starfishinitiative.org
BEING A GREAT MANAGER LOOKS A LOT LIKE BEING A GREAT MENTOR
GISELE GARRAWAY President & CEO Dear friend of Starfish,
inspire and encourage. I wish I could stockpile
Defying
statistics.
The
every
toothy
smile
and
Starfish
happy tear I saw shared as parents and
Initiative team recently feted our 2019
Mentors jointly beamed with pride
graduating Scholars and their Mentors
around their graduates. Over 75% of
at our annual senior celebration! Our
this class can claim to be the first in
cohort of 93 high school seniors
their family to gain acceptance to a
has collectively earned 450 college
4-year university.
acceptances and over $6.5MM in scholarship dollars. Statistics suggest
This year’s class continues to give
that Starfish teens–Indianapolis kids
credence to our credo that access to a
who battle various sorts of unearned
college-educated mentor is the most
adversity will not make it to college. Yet,
potent engine of economic mobility.
after 4 years of Starfish programming with a custom matched Mentor at
Thank you Scholars, Mentors and
their side, these young people are
Starfish Match Specialists who remind
indeed going to college and charting
me every day that each of us can
a course out of poverty.
change the world--one relationship at a time. Please enjoy the Starfish stories
Most
of
Scholar-
and highlights attached. Join our
Mentor pairs have been together
mission: become a mentor or make
for four years. Durable, goal-based
a donation to give the gift of rigorous
mentorship creates lasting bonds that
college and career preparation to a
deliver social dividends we all can be
deserving teen.
proud of.
the
graduating
Starfish Mentors prepare,
“ Coming Full Circle From Scholar, to Alum, to Mentor The Story of Adriana Zermeno Marian University, Class of 2015, Bachelor of Psychology, Minors in Sociology and Spanish. Adriana is a Bilingual Executive Assistant for Faith In Indiana and is a community organizer. She enjoys Latin dancing, she is an artist (painter), and is involved in community theater.
A
driana recalled applying for the Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program as an 8th grader. Excited to receive the big manila envelope that held the promise of being a 21st Century Scholar along with all
the requirements that came with the same informational meeting that provided a way to pay for college also provided a partner in the journey on the road to college, Starfish Initiative. The office, then located on Delaware Street was the backdrop for Adriana and her mom’s first interaction with Starfish. A rising freshmen went through the interview process. “It was a little intimidating as a 13 or 14 year old.” It was natural for Adriana to be a part of something else, mirroring her involvement in school activities. Adriana’s first scholar-mentor relationship did not work out. She was re-matched
“
It just feels right to be able to impact someone and gently teach our future leaders their capacity and help them find their voice.
later in the fall. “My first mentor and I didn’t work out, we were too different. She didn’t build relationally with me and expected too much of me.” The mentor Adriana was re-matched with, Carol, would turn out to be the perfect complement and type of mentor Adriana needed for road she would travel. “Bummed” that her first mentor didn’t work out, she was hesitant but the saw the energy and enthusiasm Carol exuded and was able to connect when she walked in the small little office for the meeting. “She embodied everything I wanted for myself.” Carol also reassured my mom that I would be safe. Adriana appreciated that Carol asked questions to learn more about those things that interested her and shared arts and culture, experience she desired to have but had been unattainable. “It was great to see that there was more to the world than what I knew and to be respected as a person at 15 Years old.” As their scholar-mentor relationship
continued, dynamics in the personal life of Adriana’s family changed, Adriana saw Carol’s support. “She was there to provide emotional support, but never stepped in where she was not invited.” This cross-generational relationship continues, as Carol lives in another state and Adriana’s stints of living abroad. Adriana is the lived out expression of the academically promising teen who in face unearned adversity achieve the goal of college access and completion through the support of a committed mentor and parents whose desire is to see their child achieve.“ Adriana’s soul is very connected to serving others. Asked to speak to the seniors of 2015, the seed was planted to become a mentor. After attending the Rooftop Rally in 2018, with her mentor Carol, Adriana made the commitment to become a mentor. “It just feels right to be able to impact someone and gently teach our future leaders their capacity and help them find their voice.”
“We’re fortunate to have a program like Starfish Initiative that doesn’
wanting to succeed, but instead gives them mentors to teach them ho relationships that span across generations provide so many opportunities to learn compassion and grit for all those who have the opportunity to see these relationships in action.” - Jess, Match Specialist
“I give back to say thank you to those who have given back to me.” - LaDarius, Match Specialist/ Scholar Recruitment Manager
“What gives me hope for the future is how amazing this
THE
M.A.T.
SPECIAL
MEDIATORS, AD TRAILBLAZERS, C & HEARTS MARION CO TEENS
generation of students is. I could not ask for a better opportunity than to steward them along their path to education and success. Working with incredibly bright, compassionate, and hardworking students renews my hope for a brighter future. Being a small influence in their already amazing lives has been the great privilege of my life.”
“As a first-generation college
- Lauren, Match Specialist/Operations Manager
understand how important i
oesn’t just give tools to students
em how to use the tools. Mentor-Scholar “As a 21st Century Scholar myself , I know that the mentors I had kept me on track and they were vital to my success. I hope that our mentors can provide the same guidance to our scholars and I love to see the students leave us with a sense of pride in their
THE
accomplishments.”
A.T.C.H.
- Taylor,
CIALISTS
Match Specialist
ORS, ADVOCATES, ZERS, CHAMPIONS, EARTS FOR ION COUNTY TEENS
ollege student, I
tant it is to have a
“A seed in a good soil, in a good direction of sunlight and a right amount of water will become fruitful.” - Peng, Match Specialist
champion in your corner throughout high school and during the college application process. The best part of my job is supporting these amazing students and seeing the power of the mentor and scholar connection.” - Amera, Director of Operations/Match Specialist
ASHANTII
DAVID
Warren HS, Class of 2022
Ben Davis HS, Class 2020
“Starfish is a good opportunity for students who want to go forward in their education to shine. You get people who care about not only your education but you as a person. There is no better opportunity than that.”
“I joined Starfish because it’s a program that would help me through my transition between high school and college.”
ANDREA
FLOR
Shortridge HS, Class of 2021
Arsenal Tech, Class of 2019
“I joined Starfish because it was a good opportunity to expand my path of success for college.”
“I joined Starfish because I needed help and guidance to get through high school since my parents didn’t go past elementary school.”
2019-2020 CALENDAR
Rooftop Rally
Female Scholar Symposium
Freshmen Week
Business Roundtable Breakfast
Match Night
College and Career Fair
Back to School Kick-Off
College Mega Visit
Shining Star Celebration
Incredible Journey
Leadership Camp
Senior Celebration
May 22, 2019 June 17
July 30, 2019
August 10, 2019
August 29, 2019
September 15, 2019
Male Scholar Symposium October 2020
October 2020
January 28, 2020 March 14, 2020 April 2020 April 2020 May 2020
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Ian Aki Emidio Alvarez Vallecillo Davon Arberry Samantha Armenta Emmanuel Arreguin Vargas Alondra Arriaga Rosales Taj Baker-Weathers Cindy Baltierra Sarah Belloso Anderson Bonilla Blake Bridges Iyonna Brooks Anita Brown Thea Brown Francie Cardenas Diana Cardoza-Manzano Olivia Carranza Bre Castaneda Kenedi Cheatham Ryan Cloud Alisson Contreras Linda Cuevas Beauty Dabney Taiveon Davis Leslie Diaz Emiliano Ferral-Rodriguez Kel-lam Footman Quinn Ford Jr. Anika Gant Jennifer Garza Yaneth Garza
Katlan Gomez Ellyssa Grant Qishana Gray Jennifer Guerra Matthew Guevara Asia Harris Dakota Harris Rayswann Harris Josue Hernandez Gracy Hmung Jason Holden Johnyella Holloway AJ Hoskins Danielle Howard Cameiron Jackson Janelle Jenkins Armond Jones Patrice Jones Derrick King Rien Kinnett Elyzabeth Lavertu Ta Blu Lerku Aubriana Lewis Kamyra Lyles Chasserine Marin Juan Martinez Dailah McCoy Emma Milton Flor Mojica Alyssa Nelson Dameika Newell
Alan Olvera Dana O’Neal Eden Ortiz Melanie Parra Deacon Pettiford Ashley Provencio Patrick Rachell Jr. Melanie Reyes Francisco Santos Raygan Savage Joniyah Sharp Lincoln Shields Delawrence Smith Chaikou Sow Daylen Spivey Brianna Stewart Jasmine Tafoya Devontez Tate Simon Teklezghi Ana Tepozotlan Nadin Terrera Dawt Tha Christian Thomas Porscha Webster Benjamin Werle LaJuan Whitney Ericka William Breanna Winters Jose Zapata Brian Zaragoza Natalia Zepeda
When we double the impact, We change lives and communities - today and tomorrow. To support the mission of Starfish and future Scholars, refer a “friend” or make your donation.
“DOUBLE THE IMPACT!”
DOUBLE THE IMPACT 2019 Matching Gift Campaign
In spite of facing challenges, Starfish Scholars are focused on achieving the goal of success in the classroom and in their future careers. Starfish has made a commitment to “Double the Impact”, helping more Marion County teens achieve their goals. Through partnerships, a greater number of future Scholars will be able to reach for the “Stars” - and have a brighter future. On April 1, 2019, with the support of the Lilly Endowment a matching gift campaign was launched to inspire, encourage, and prepare promising high school students facing unearned adversity for college and career success.
$25,000 + $25,000 = $50,000 Through supporters like you, Starfish reached the goal of $25,000. Each dollar raised will be matched by LEI, “Doubling the Impact.” INTERESTED IN MENTORING?
FOLLOW US
Doubling the Impact does not stop
Follow Starfish on social media and
there. Serving more high school
share with friends, followers or groups.
students means there is also a need to increase the number of mentors. The best recruiters for mentors is YOU!
Facebook.com/StarfishInitiative
Partner with us by helping us recruit
Twitter.com/starfish_in
more mentors. HOW CAN YOU HELP? • Refer a friend
Linkedin.com/company/starfish-initiative Instagram.com/starfish_in Youtube.com/StarfishInitiative
• Invite us to make a presentation to your organization or employer • Invite a friend to a future Starfish event
For additional information, contact us at 317.955.7912 Thank you for supporting STARFISH!
Starfish Initiative
Advancement & Communications 6958 Hillsdale Court, Indianapolis, IN 46250 P: 317-955-7912 communications@starfishinitiative.org www.starfishinitiative.org