TONY DILEONARDI, STARS FAMILY SERVICES PRESIDENT
The Board of STARS Family Services (SFS) expresses deep appreciation to College Church for its ongoing support of the residences, families, and staff of SFS during an incredible year of blessings. Thank you for your prayers and support. The Board of STARS Family Services (SFS) expresses deep appreciation to College Church for its ongoing support of the residences, families and staff of SFS during an incredible year of blessings. Thank you for your prayers and support. Since we began in 2008, STARS Family Services provides private community-based homes (supportive living arrangements) and related services for adults with developmental disabilities in Wheaton. At present there are two homes for men and one for women. The homes allow for these individuals to continue living in their own communities, close to their family, friends and church. All residents are involved in the STARS Disability Ministry at College Church.
• The board of directors approved and initiated a staff restructuring plan that started March 1, 2021, with the Executive Director onboarding. • New positions were created in the org restructuring to provide opportunity for career advancement within SFS (LEAD Life Skill Coach, Art Studio Coordinator). • We had our first all-SFS gathering in September with 100+ in attendance (STARS, families, staff, and members of the partner program and STARS Resale Shop). • Maturing fund-raising efforts to include foundations, trusts, corporations and larger donors.
An abundance of positive work has occurred in 2021 with a renewed focus on organizational restructuring and maturity to enhance efficiencies while ensuing our focus on the best quality services to our residents and families. 2022 promises to be a year of building on the new infrastructure. BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND “TEAM SFS”
• SFS now has a renewed focus to create a collaborative SFS community by facilitating town hall meetings, bi-weekly communications, an sll SFS Picnic. • Grown to 32 SFS Team Members: SFS is now attracting/hiring staff with advanced degrees (nursing, occupational therapy, counselors). • 2021 turnover rate remains high at 50%: hiring and onboarding on an average of one-two new staff per month; this rate is like many service-related industries. • Pay ranges were increased to remain competitive in a challenging job market.
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CO L L E G E C H U R C H 2 02 2 ANNUAL R E PO RT
RENEWED FOCUS ON RESIDENT PERSONAL GROWTH AND ADDRESSING CHANGING NEEDS
• Created Home Base & Community Time to address issues with residents’ weekday community activities not being available (due to COVID, changes to programs, less volunteers etc.) It’s held at Kenny’s Home—available 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday • Daily theme with activities including art, music, games, and quiet/personal time. Piloted April 2021, by June 2021 fully integrated into resident daily life with positive feedback from residents, staff and parents.
