110 Years of Resilience

No matter their journey, children can heal. They can be empowered. And with the help of a caring community, they can become resilient.

Since its establishment in 1913, Starr Commonwealth has been a beacon of hope and resilience for children. Floyd Starr’s vision had one essential belief at its core:

“There is no such thing as a bad child.”

This belief has been nurtured and has evolved for 110 years, and the dream of empowering children has remained at the heart of Starr’s mission.

Despite the strides we’ve made in understanding and treating mental health issues, there remains a pressing, national emergency: childhood mental health. Statistics paint a grim picture. From 2010 to 2020, rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicides have steadily risen. By 2018, suicide had tragically become the second leading cause of death for young people aged 1024.This crisis has only intensified with the stress and isolation brought about by the pandemic.

Starr Commonwealth has recognized this issue and has taken a dynamic, holistic approach to addressing it. This goes beyond offering traditional behavioral health services. The organization’s expanded focus now encompasses racial healing, educational reform, and systemlevel changes, knowing these elements all impact the mental well-being of children.

The theory of change Starr Commonwealth operates on believes that when trauma-informed, resilience-focused adults work within similarly

How does this theory manifest in real life? It translates to tangible improvements for the children, families, and organizations that Starr Commonwealth works with across the country and around the globe. With our support, these communities report better health, improved educational outcomes, and a reduction in social, emotional, and behavioral health issues. These breakthroughs create a ripple effect, infusing entire communities with a sense of hope and endless possibilities for success.

Starr Commonwealth is passionate about sharing these stories of resilience and healing, inviting the world to witness the positive changes made possible through our work. We’re documenting these inspiring journeys all year long as part of our 110th-anniversary celebration.

You can be part of this movement towards changing the narrative surrounding childhood mental health. Visit starr.org/110 to learn more about how you can contribute to this cause and give the gift of healing.

Join us in celebrating Starr Commonwealth’s 110th anniversary and become a sponsor. Your contribution aids in addressing the national emergency in childhood mental health by providing critical resources to expand Starr’s behavioral health services and educational programs. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight your business, or show your own personal commitment to community mental health and the future of our children. We welcome corporate, individual or familynamed sponsors, as well as “in honor/memory of” recognitions and anonymous sponsors. Join Starr Commonwealth in commemorating our 110th anniversary, and together let’s transform the lives of children.

Your sponsorship includes a variety of opportunities for promotion in Starr publications and at Starr events. Depending on your sponsorship level you will be thanked on social media, on various Starr webpages, Starr News, Annual Report, and the Night of Starrs gala.

“We are proud to partner with Starr Commonwealth as they continue to grow and expand their programs to support area youth, educators, social workers, health care professionals, first responders, and others. Aligning ourselves with organizations such as Starr helps us achieve our goal of working for the betterment of our communities.”

John Castle, Chairman and CEO of Southern Michigan Bank and Trust