Tom Paulsen

STARS Family Services President

Since 2011, STARS Family Services (SFS) has provided homes for adults with intellectual disabilities within a Christian environment as well as a job coaching program open to all STARS. Washington House, renovated to accommodate five men, was the first residence to open followed by two brand new homes, the Jean Hooten Home for women and Kenny’s Home for men.

Under the leadership of Carol Casey, director of residential life, the 13 current residents continue to thrive through the care and commitment of the following staff:

• Community builders who live in the homes—Jordan Bartolazzi at Kenny’s Home, Trish Protsman at the Jean Hooten Home and Vlad Metodiev at the Washington House.

• Life skill tutors who provide life skills training to the residents on a daily basis throughout the week—Kelly Oberlin, Mark Torppey, Rachael Corey, Heidi Seabloom, Mary Godlewski and Shannon Ross.

• Life skill tutors who provide activities and supervision on weeknights and on weekends—Brennan Wilson, Jessie Todd, Rebecca Fox, Becky Linhardt, Janice Thomas, Dorothy Nicholson, Sarah Nelson, DJ Pollino and Irene Vogelpohl.

Tonya Dring is the head of the job coaching program, which serves 18 STARS. She supervises five job coaches: Christine Walraven, Tina King, Rebecca Fox, Lea Lamb and Laurel Fisher. STARS are placed at the STARS Resale Shop, Twice is Nice and at other area businesses. Tonya is continually looking to find more opportunities for STARS who desire to work part time in the community.

We thank God for two successful fund raisers held this year, a concert with Christian singer/ song writer Laura Story in the fall of 2019 and Just Singin’ with The Musical Moms in March 2020. We are so thankful for those who attended and helped support the ministry of STARS Family Services with their generous donations.

During this past year, we have begun the process of creating the position of executive director. The Board feels it is critical that an individual be in place to direct and manage the day-to-day operations of SFS. A subcommittee has been established made up of board members and non-board members to consider the creation of the position and begin the process of finding qualified candidates. The COVID-19 crisis has temporarily suspended the work of the committee.

The COVID-19 crisis has certainly affected the work of STARS Family Services. As of the writing of this report, all residents have returned to their family homes for the duration of the crisis. Although it has been difficult for our residents to leave the strong communities which have been established in each home, they are doing well within the loving care of their family members. Significant planning as to the process of reintegrating residents back into the homes at the appropriate time is ongoing, and prayers are sought as this process unfolds at some point in the future. In addition, obtaining a loan through the Small Business Administration, based upon the CARES Act, is enabling SFS to continue paying staff through the end of May at the very least.

The Board has added two additional members this year: Wil Triggs, who brings significant communication expertise and a passion for donor care, and Angela Killian who, as a former administrator at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center, brings great experience in the management of facilities dedicated to providing assistance for those with disabilities. They join the following board members who continue to serve STARS Family Services and for whom we praise God: Tony DiLeonardi (vice president), Nancy Singer (secretary), Michelle Linhardt (treasurer and member of the Finance Committee), Dawn Clark (chair of the Personnel Commission), Julie Clemens (director of disability ministries at College Church), Ken Larson (chair of the Finance Committee), Glenn Kosirog (chair of the Property Commission) and Bob Kay (chair of the Legal Commission).

Thank you for volunteering, providing financial support and praying for the work of STARS Family Services. We are always looking for committed Christians to join our team of staff and volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a part of the SFS team, please contact Michelle Linhardt for a list of current openings and to obtain a job application: michelle@ starsfamilyservices.org. We praise God for how He continues to bless the ministry even in the midst of the crisis, which we have all been experiencing in recent months.