STARability Giving Report Spring/Summer 2023

From Our CEO

STARability is Collier County’s only privately funded nonprofit focused on transforming the lives of individuals ages 14 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Because of you, more than 300 STAR participants are engaged in our vocational, educational and social programs.

Our STARs are learning, working, making lifelong friendships and showing us every day all that they can do. As we look into the future, we are excited to welcome more STARs from our waitlist and continue to expand our innovative programming. By investing in the programs and people who support our STAR participants, generous donors and grantors like you make our mission possible. You are truly helping make a difference that will leave a lasting impact across our community.

With sincere appreciation,

Karen Govern STARability CEO

Every STAR Has a Story!

Molly has experienced the world quite a bit differently than her twin brother. While he was able to easily make friends, she was working hard to get a job and make social connections. Molly was on the waitlist to join STARability’s Trailblazer Academy, anxiously waiting to put her many skills and abilities to good use. Since joining the program in June 2022, she has become a leader among her STAR peers, serving as an ambassador for STARability and recruiting her friends to join the organization. Molly is continuously learning life and safety skills, enjoying a variety of social activities and offering ideas for new lessons and activities.

“STARability is like my family. I think the instructors are really sweet. I look forward to coming to the program and trying new things. I am so happy that I can attend the Trailblazer Academy. This program supports people like me with reaching their goals.”

~Molly K., STAR participant

Molly K. and her mother, Rachel K.

Sports Programs are a home run!

STARability’s sports leagues and programs give STAR participants the chance to join together for fitness, friendship and fun!

Basketball

The STARability Basketball League is a noncompetitive program that meets weekly year-round. STAR participants come together to enjoy drills, passing, shooting and other fundamental basketball skills as they socialize, learn the benefits of teamwork, strengthen their coordination and more.

Baseball

STARability recently completed the 10th season of its oneof-a-kind baseball league that gives everyone the chance to bat, round the bases and score a run for their team while connecting with friends. The league consists of four teams –the Tigers, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees – and plays Saturdays from January to April at Osceola Elementary School. The season concludes with a coaches-versus-players game and an awards picnic in April. This year’s generous season sponsors included Presenting Sponsor Inspired Closets Southwest Florida and team sponsors Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti, & Rudnick; Sweet Art, Inc. and Randall Packard Construction; MVP Autism Foundation; and Judy and Ken Gilman.

Bowling

What started as six families meeting weekly at a local bowling alley has grown into three STARability Bowling League opportunities for over 100 of our participants that runs yearround, with scores tracked during season, October through June.

Tennis

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, STARability held the first-ever Tennis Program at Eagle Creek Country Club. Eagle Creek is hosting this tennis program for free, providing all the equipment, facilities, volunteers and water. Our STARs have loved every minute of this program!

Giving Roundup

Grant Funding

STARability has been awarded a variety of generous grants to grow its lifetransforming programs.

• Golisano Foundation:

$100,000 to expand the Trailblazer Academy program with 20 new participants over two years. The demand for the Trailblazer Academy continues to grow, with about 70 people waiting to join this community-based program.

• League Club:

$15,000 to invest in resources to expand the Trailblazer Academy program.

• Naples Children & Education Foundation, Founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival:

$80,000 to expand the Jr. Trailblazer Academy program during the 2023-2024 cycle.

• Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation:

$20,000 to support the addition of more participants to the Trailblazer Academy.

• Collier Community Foundation:

$35,000 to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van, as well as $45,000 to support staffing needs of the Trailblazer Academy and Virtual Trailblazer Academy.

Donor Spotlight

Henry was born with two types of brain damage that led to seizures and developmental delays starting at just 18 months old.

While his parents prepared for treatment, surgery and recovery, they strived to maintain normalcy for Henry and his sister. His mother, Kerry, juggled returning to work full time and a lack of after-school programs.

Kerry had seen participants of STARability’s Trailblazer Academy around town and thought it was an organization that their family wanted to help support. While researching STARability, she came across the Jr. Trailblazer Academy and thought it would be a great fit for Henry since he was making so many gains at school and was ready to focus on other life skills.

Since joining the program, Henry has made tremendous strides in his social appropriateness and his willingness to try new things and be more helpful and productive around the house. He is happy to have responsibilities and a purpose everyday outside of school. And his increased independence and self-reliance have been life-changing for the entire family.

“Our family has benefited greatly by becoming part of the STARability family. We have been able to meet other parents and families, share experiences and gain new friends. Seeing Henry thrive and mature has been wonderful, and knowing this foundation is here for him has helped alleviate some stress as we continue to prepare for his future.”

~Kerry B., Henry’s mother, Inspired Closets Southwest Florida

Henry B., STAR participant

SAVE THE DATE

5K Run, Walk & Roll

Oct. 21, 2023 at 8 a.m.

Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples

Tickets: $35; ages 12 and younger are free

The 5K Run, Walk & Roll serves as both a fundraiser and friendraiser, and is critical to supporting our mission of transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities through social, vocational and educational connections in the community. Participants will enjoy exciting postevent activities including vendors, games, raffles, food trucks and live music.

Learn more and register today at STARability.org.

STAR Spotlight

“I started doing the Trailblazer program four years ago. STARability has changed my life. I help out in the community. I have new skills. I enjoy meeting new people. I love coming to Trailblazer four days a week. I’m becoming more independent every day.”

~Adam V., Trailblazer Academy participant

Adam V. with Instructor Woodly Charles

County & City Proclamations

STARability Foundation received proclamations from Collier County and the City of Naples declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. These proclamations will further help shine a light on individuals with developmental disabilities, promote greater understanding of the issues that affect the lives of our participants and their families, and create opportunities for inclusion throughout our community.

Gala Recap

STARability Foundation’s 5th Annual STAR Gala: Night on the Red Carpet raised $2.9 million to support innovative, life-changing programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Collier County.

Over 600 guests at the soldout event enjoyed a dazzling evening at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lisa Kahn-Allen, Board Chair

Laura Georgelos, Vice Chair

Ken Gilman, Treasurer

Holly Shapiro, Secretary

Anne Fleming, Director

Meg Hardt, Director

Jeff Maconaghy, Director

Tony McClure, Director

Melanie Miller, Director

Joe Smallwood, Director

James Varilek, Director

To donate, volunteer or learn more, contact us at 239.594.9007 or