Starr News Fall 2018

NEWS VOL. 83 • NO. 4 FALL 2018

Transformation Takes Flight Into a Bright Future Celebrating 105 Years Thank You to Our Sponsors Building Resilience in Battle Creek Students Student Sports Teams Thrive at Starr Albion Prep Cover: Lincoln Park Public Schools Representatives at the 105th Anniversary Celebration

Starr News

Starr Commonwealth Leadership Officers

Board of Trustees

Elizabeth A. Carey President and Chief Executive Officer

Craig Carrel, Chair (2008 – 2021) President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI

Dudley N. Spade Chief of Staff Derek S. Allen Chief Operating Officer Dr. Caelan Soma Chief Clinical Officer Gary Crist Chief Financial Officer John M. Thompson II Chief Advancement Officer

Honorable John Hallacy, Immediate Past Chair & Treasurer (2009 – 2019) Circuit Court Judge 37th District Court Battle Creek, MI Erick Stewart Vice Chair (2009 – 2018) President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI Stanley Allen, Secretary (2014 – 2023) Configuration Engineering Wells Fargo & Company Des Moines, IA Scott Bennett (2010 – 2019) Senior Vice President Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI

Simon P. Bisson (2018 – 2021) Vie President, Institutional Relations and Development University Hospitals Health System Cleveland, OH Doug Clark (2013 – 2022) Executive Director, Donor Mktg U.S. Office of Development Cru International Camano Island, WA George A. Goodman (2010 – 2019) Ypsilanti, MI Huilan Krenn (2017 – 2026) W.K. Kellogg Foundation Director of Learning & Impact Battle Creek, MI Lisa Miller (2018 – 2027) MMK Consulting Group Coldwater, MI Randy Neumann (2013 – 2022) Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX

Trustees Emeritus

President Emeritus

Michael J. Gable Human Resources Executive (Retired) Orlans Associates, PC Troy, MI

Martin L. Mitchell President Emeritus Coldwater, MI

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI Honorable Eugene A. Moore Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO (Retired) Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ *All Officers and Trustees can be reached at the following address and phone number: Starr Commonwealth 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-5591

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA

We lead with courage to create positive experiences so that all children, families and communities flourish.

Starr News Fall 2018 Volume 83 • No. 4 Starr Commonwealth is a nonprofit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color or national origin.

Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

Founded in 1913, Starr is licensed by the state of Michigan.

The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site.

Starr Commonwealth receives funds from social agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals.

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 info@starr.org

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Table of Contents President’s Letter

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Celebrating 105 Years of Transformation

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

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Building Resilience in Battle Creek Students

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Student Sport Teams Thrive at Albion Prep

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Honor and Memorial Gifts

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Fall 2018

president’s letter Looking to the Future

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ach day I awake with the rising sun knowing that a full day of opportunity awaits.

Some days are filled with joy and adventure, some with heartache and pain, and yet I find joy. I am blessed to live my passion for helping and improving our world through an amazing organization such as Starr Commonwealth.

We have much to cherish and appreciate about our 105 year history; we can all look back and see how, as one Starr family, we have helped countless children rediscover their greatness. As we look to our future, our joy is deep, because we know the courage we lead with continues to create positive experiences for all to flourish.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, our great work in schools will continue to increase. Over the next two years, Starr will be supporting students and training staff at Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) on how to create a trauma informed, resilience focused learning environment. We are honored to be part of the positive change BCPS is so committed to, and we believe their dedication, paired with our expertise, has the power to transform their school system.

Our team at Starr Albion Prep continues to chart a strong course into the future as well, providing new opportunities for students to grow, thanks to the addition of a new basketball and volleyball team. With each shot, pass, set and spike, it has been wonderful to watch our students cheer each

other on, and we look forward to watching their spirit and confidence continue to grow.

With our 105th Anniversary Celebration, we connected the strong roots of our past to our future.

We shared stories about Uncle Floyd and the history of Starr as we presented two former students, Dr. Jim Pelt and George Wilson, with the 2018 Starr Alumni President Emeritus Award. We supported the need to foster healing within our diverse human family as we honored Joe and Clara Stewart with the Oneness of Humankind Award.

We showed that children are our future as we gave the Child Advocacy Award to Lincoln Park Public Schools for all of their work in creating a resilience focused environment for their students and staff to shine.

We are embedded in our incredible past as our history is what makes us such a unique organization today. As we look to our future, we stand tall and walk with courage knowing that we will continue to find new ways to use our knowledge and history to create positive experiences for children, families and communities to flourish. There is more to come, and we are excited for this bright future!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Carey, President and CEO

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Celebrating 105 Years of Transformation

One of the butterflies that decorated the room, created by students at Starr Albion Prep.

T

his October, Starr Commonwealth celebrated

has seen in themselves since becoming a part of the

105 years of creating positive experiences for

Starr family. Every butterfly was distinct, unique in

children, families and communities with a fund-

size, shape and color. Some carried written messages of

raising event at the Detroit Zoo’s Wildlife Interpretive

strength and hope on their wings, while others sported

Gallery.

layers of glitter to ensure they captured a small sliver of

The open gallery was decorated with over one hundred

the attention they know they deserve.

butterflies, each brought to life by a student in Starr’s

As the flutter of butterflies hovered above, there was

programs. Suspended above the crowd as if in flight,

another set of wings that continued to catch the atten-

they symbolized the positive transformation each child

tion of the guests. Larger than life and bursting with

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105th Anniversary

color and complexity, many assumed they were the

served, and to the future vision that will allow necessary

work of an established artist. Guest after guest stood in

evolution to meet the growing needs of children and

front of the wings for pictures, “becoming” a butterfly,

professionals alike. She also unveiled Starr’s new core

and were delighted to learn that they were the work of

values and spoke about how each will guide the great

two girls from Starr’s residential program. Leading up to the event, the ladies worked with two staff members to bring their vision to life, building confidence in their talent with every brush stroke. Their work, and that of all of Starr’s students’, continues to inspire, and we hope the pride that comes from creating such beautiful pieces of art is one they

Starr’s new core values: We see Greatness, We find Courage, We promote Health, We foster Healing and We are Oneness.

will continue to carry with them.

work to come: We see Greatness, We find Courage, We promote Health, We foster Healing and We are Oneness.

During the program, four courageous students took to the stage to perform spoken word pieces they had written with support from our friends at Free Write Arts & Literacy. Each painted a picture for the crowd of the difficult situations that they found

Attendees also had the opportunity to enjoy network-

themselves in before coming to Starr, and how staff

ing with friends and supporters before Elizabeth Carey,

are helping them transform into the people they were

President and CEO of Starr, kicked off the program.

meant to be. Their stories captured the true meaning

Welcoming guests and sponsors, Elizabeth shared how

of why everyone was in the room that night – to help

committed Starr remains to past beliefs and the original

them flourish.

creed, to those served and those who will continue to be

Students from Starr Albion Prep performed spoken word pieces during the program. (Photo: Emmanuelle Perryman)

Dr. Caelan Soma presented Terry Dangerfield from Lincoln Park Public Schools with the Child Advocacy Award.

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105th Anniversary

Stanley Allen presented the 2018 Starr Alumni President Emeritus Award to Dr. Jim Pelt and George Wilson.

Joe and Clara Stewart accepting the Oneness of Humankind Award.

(Photo: Emmanuelle Perryman)

After those brave performances, Chief Clinical Offi-

has grown and how it has become a family that offers

cer Dr. Caelan Soma introduced Lincoln Park Public

ongoing support to its members through scholarships,

Schools (LPPS), winner of the 2018 Child Advocacy

networking and volunteer opportunities.

Award. LPPS have been working for the past year to transform their district and personnel into trauma informed professionals, emphasizing the importance of meeting the social and emotional needs of their students. Even at such an early stage in their journey, their united effort has seen tremendous success. Last year, office behavior referrals were cut in half and staff observed reduced stress and improved classroom behavior. Students feel safe and ready to learn – and they are.

Superintendent of LPPS, Terry Dangerfield, accepted the award, saying, “We stand tall for children because they are our future. If we don’t do this work for them, then who will?”

Stanley presented the awards to Dr. Jim Pelt and George Wilson, two former Starr Alumni Association Presidents. They each spoke about what they had learned from Starr and how it has shaped them into the adults they are today. “Most of the people in this room did not have the opportunity to know Uncle Floyd,” Jim said.

“He was a great man – small in stature, but large in heart.”

Ken Ponds, former Chaplain at Starr’s Albion campus and current Associate Trainer for Starr’s Glasswing Racial Healing efforts, introduced the final award of the evening. He presented the Oneness of Humankind Award to Joe and Clara Stewart for their lifelong ded-

The next award was the 2018 Starr Alumni President

ication to children, their community and healing the

Emeritus Award, which was presented by current Starr

human family.

Board of Trustee member, alumnus and President of the Starr Alumni Association, Stanley Allen. Stanley spoke about the how the Alumni Association started, how it

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During their acceptance speech, Joe took a moment to direct the audience towards the balcony, where the four

105th Anniversary

students who had spoken earlier in the program were

reverse auction. Calling out suggested amounts, Derek

watching. As one, he asked the crowd to turn, lift their

encouraged the crowd to support Starr’s programs and

voices and tell the students, “I

the students who came to share

love you,” a reminder that there

their transformation. With each

will always be people who care for them. It was an incredibly powerful moment that evening.

After the awards were handed out, several Starr Albion Prep students performed a step line routine that they had been working on for months, wowing onlookers and earning them a round of applause that roared throughout the gallery.

Derek Allen, Chief Operating Officer, then took the stage to close out the program with a

Over $140,000 was raised on this momentous evening, which will continue to build resilience in the those we serve.

This great work could not be done without those who STAND TALL with STARR!

raise of a hand, the excitement in the room grew. Thanks to generous sponsors and guests, over $140,000 was raised on this momentous evening, which will continue to build resilience in all the children, families and professionals served. This great work could not be done without those who stand tall with Starr.

If you would like to make a donation and stand tall with Starr, please visit www.starr.org/ donate. F

Students from Starr Albion Prep performed a step line routine for the crowd.

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Thank You to Our Sponsors for

Standing Tall With Starr

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Building Resilience in Battle Creek Students

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ast December, Battle Creek Public Schools

Creek Public Schools, ensuring that every teacher is

(BCPS) and the Battle Creek Community

educated in trauma informed and resilience focused

Foundation (BCCF) asked Starr Commonwealth

practices. With this grant, Starr will hire designated

to visit select schools to assess the climate, and teach

Resilience Coaches to provide on-site professional

and provide trauma informed and resilience focused

development for teachers and staff.

practices for students and staff. After working with their team on various strength-based approaches to behavior management and

The focus of this model is not solely in the classroom, however – parent involvement is crucial to not only improving the academic

discipline, it was clear that the

outcomes of students but also

commitment needed to imple-

in supporting their emotional

ment systemic change within

and social development.

each school would require more

A “Parent Academy” will

funding than was available. To

be established to create a

address this need, Starr reached

supportive culture that en-

out for support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

courages family participation Additions like Reset Rooms can improve the school climate and help students academically, socially and emotionally.

in working with teachers and interacting with children from

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to

a resilience focused and trauma informed perspective.

improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents

At the “Parent Academy,” parents and guardians will

and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus

be provided with ideas and tools to help support their

on children and seniors. Starr applied for and received

child’s learning and development at home, while also

a two-year grant, which will be dedicated to building

encouraging healthy parent-teacher relationships and

trauma informed and resilience focused learning

regular communication between everyone involved in

environments at BCPS. With this funding, Starr will be

the child’s development.

able to train BCPS staff in trauma informed practices, which have been proven to reduce instances of student suspensions, improve overall school climate and help students grow academically, socially and emotionally.

Thank you to everyone at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Battle Creek community for giving Starr Commonwealth this opportunity to help children, families and communities right in Starr’s

Starting with Northwestern Middle School, the build-

backyard. For more information about the Michigan

ing with the highest number of behavior incidences,

Health Endowment Fund, please visit www.mhealth-

this project will eventually expand to the rest of Battle

fund.com. F

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Student Sports Teams Thrive At Starr Albion Prep Mohon, Group Living Director for Starr Albion Prep.

Boys on campus have the opportunity to join the Wildcats basketball team, with home and away games throughout the season. These games show our students the benefits of teamwork, and hearing the crowd cheer them on at home gives them a boost of self-esteem.

“It’s all in fun,” one basketball player said after a game last season. “But it’s nice to see people make signs and cheering for you.”

The newest sport available is volleyball, which is open to the girls on campus. “They have grown so much together, not only as a volleyball team, but individually as young women,” said Kailyn Culliver, the Head Volleyball Coach. “I coached [another volleyball team] a few years ago, but this experience specifically has been most rewarding. The girls have something to look forward to, but mostly to be proud of! They work hard every day through early morning and evening practicStarr Albion Prep now has basketball and volleyball teams available for students.

P

laying organized sports is a bonding experience

es.” The team has already won several games, and they are looking forward to winning a few more before the season is over.

for most teens – they learn how to follow rules,

These opportunities for students are vital to helping

work as a team and support one another. This

them grow and learn, not just while they are on campus,

school year, sports teams are making an appearance

but also after they leave. We hope that these programs

again on Starr Commonwealth’s Albion campus.

will instill a sense of teamwork and trust in one another

Since moving to a charter school in July, students at Starr Albion Prep have had opportunities to compete

that they will take with them to future schools, jobs and their family.

against other schools, including Calhoun Christian

Next year, Starr Albion Prep is hoping to add girls bas-

in Battle Creek and Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo.

ketball, boys and girls track and boys football. Keep an

“Being on a team has given these kids a sense of self that

eye on Starr’s Facebook page for dates of upcoming

they never had outside of Starr Albion Prep,” said Shaun

home games! F

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Honor & Memorial Gifts The gifts reflect the period from 04/19/2018 - 10/10/2018. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed.

HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person or occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one. Extend a helping hand to the children of Starr by making your donation to Starr at www.starr.org.

In Honor of:

BARB WILDT Mr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Moore

JOYCE FRANKE Mr. Tom Franke

REBECCA PERNICE Mr. Ralph L. Pernice

STARR’S CHILDREN Mr. and Mrs. Ted F. Johnson

MAX AND MAUDE GRANT Mr. Gordon P. Grant

CLARA RICHMOND Mr. Michael I. Richmond

JOHN CAREY-YOUNG Mrs. Elizabeth A. Carey

In Memory of:

SHARON ROITER Ms. Annette Andrews

JOHN DAVIDSON Mr. Michael E. Williams

VIRGINIA BARR Sequel Youth Services of Albion

WILLIAM F. HERMANN Mrs. Dorothy Hermann

ROSE MARIE SECRETI Mr. and Mrs. John J. Secreti, Jr.

CHRISTOPHER HODDE Mrs. Susan J. Hodde

JEAN BRITT Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ward

TRISH JONES Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schoonmaker

“UNCLE” FLOYD STARR Mr. and Mrs. Ted Johnson

HAZEL LIAS Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Allen

RALPH CAREY Mrs. Ruth Carey

DONALD KELLEY Ms. Ruth Carey and Dr. James Crowfoot

MILTON TEETS Ms. Phyllis Teets

ROBERT G. MALDEGEN Mr. and Mrs. John Keane Ms. Jann Lardo Mr. Thomas Loniewski Mr. Michael J. Maldegen Mr. and Mrs. Norm Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Sean Stewart Ms. Debra VanDike

EDWIN COTTRELL Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. DesJardins

AL LAVIGNE Mr. Eugene J. LaVigne VIRGINIA LAVIGNE Mr. Eugene J. LaVigne

BARBARA TOUSEY Mr. William H. Tousey

DONALD H. LILJE Ms. Betty A. Lilje

ROBERT A. WEBER Mrs. Mary L. Weber PAMELA WINGERTER Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rowbotham

ARLIN NESS Ms. Joyce Soebbing

BEVERLY B. DUNN Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Dunn

JUDGE ARTHUR MOORE Mrs. Jeanine W. Dean

PATRICIA L. ENDRESS Mr. Richard B. Endress

NANCY STARR WISE Dr. and Mrs. Ross Van Ness

KONNER AND GARRETT VOIGT Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt

BEN C. MORRIS Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Duffield

ROB BROADWELL Mrs. Eleanor K. Stewart

PATRICIA DAVIDSON Mr. John Davidson MAURICE N. DAVIS Mrs. Rebecca Davis

NIGHT of STARRS Save the Date!

April 11, 2019 Starr Albion Campus A night of celebration – a night to illuminate the greatness in all.

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Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #975 Lansing, MI 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, Michigan 49224 www.starr.org

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591 Change service requested

It’s that time of year for Giving Tuesday! On November 27th, people worldwide are encouraged to donate to nonprofit organizations of their choice to help make a difference. We know that you have so many choices of where to give on Giving Tuesday, and this year we hope you will support Starr Commonwealth. On this day, we encourage you to fulfill your passion about serving children and families by giving back.

You aren’t going to want to miss out on some of the exciting things we have planned, so make sure to follow us on social media if you don’t already!

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