Starr News - Autumn 2014

NEWS Vol. 71 • No. 4

Autumn 2014

Mario Bonds dazzles Founder’s Day guests Zanetti family continues legacy of support for Starr Through a partnership with Sequel Youth and Family Services, Starr looks to serve more young people on the Albion campus

Starr News

starr commonwealth leadership Officers

Board of Trustees

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. President Chief Executive Officer

Honorable John Hallacy, Chair District Court Judge 10th District Court Battle Creek, MI

Christopher L. Smith, BBA., CPA Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Chief Clinical Officer Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW Executive Vice President Chief Strategy Officer Gary Q. Tester, MRC Executive Vice President Chief Development Officer

Craig Carrel, Vice Chair President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI Lawrence Givens, Secretary Blackmond and Givens, Inc. Southfield, MI Kyle Caldwell, Immediate Past Chair Program Director Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Flint, MI Stanley Allen Configuration Engineering Wells Fargo & Company Des Moines, IA Scott Bennett Vice President UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI Doug Clark Mill Creek, WA George A. Goodman Ypsilanti, MI Tom Kolassa Senior Vice President Hub International Battle Creek, MI

Laura Koziarski Child Advocate Battle Creek, MI Jack Kresnak Journalist / Child Advocate Livonia, MI

Trustees Emeritus

President Emeritus

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

Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI

Kenneth Miller Chief Executive Officer Principal Partner Millennium Restaurant Group Kalamazoo, MI

Dr. Russell G. Mawby Chairman Emeritus W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI

Randy Neumann Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX

Honorable Eugene A. Moore Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI

William C. Rands Managing Partner Sagres Partners, L.P. Grosse Pointe, MI

William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Mary E. Rutan Human Resources Director (Retired) Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada

Erick Stewart President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI

Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA

Bruce Vande Vusse Attorney Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Farmington Hills, MI

Sylvia Starr Richey Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Seal Beach, CA

Starr is dedicated to the mission of creating positive environments where children and families flourish.

Starr News Autumn 2014 Volume 71 • 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 states of Michigan and Ohio.

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

3

Expanding Our Reach

4

Leaving a Legacy

8

Showcasing Resilience

10

Chaplain’s Message

14

Honor & Memorial Gifts

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Autumn 2014

president’s letter The continuous evolution of our programs and the way we serve children and families is essential to Starr’s long-term success

D

uring times of significant transformation, it is important to remain focused on your core values and mission, and this is what Starr continues to do each day, serving thousands of children at any one time while developing new and innovative ways to meet their needs.

Building upon the success of our Art of Resilience project, which kicked off with the Starr Summer Youth Festival in August, Starr’s Founder’s Day celebration was led by motivating messages from guest speaker Mario Bonds.

Mario’s childhood was filled with anxiety and uncertainty, as he lacked the stability needed for a young person to flourish. Periods of homelessness, coupled with abuse and neglect, led to a feeling of being worthless.

Complicating his situation further, a rare eye condition caused him to lose sight in both of his eyes by age 9. With the help of caring adults who wouldn’t allow Mario to use his challenges “as an excuse to fail,” he not only learned to manage his blindness. He embraced it.

Mario has embodied resilience while earning a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University, leading a technology helpdesk, and starring in NBC Universal’s 2012 run of “The Glee Project,” season two. He treated Founder’s Day guests to multiple singing performances and inspirational messages, even using Starr’s Circle of Courage philosophy to articulate why he’s become so successful.

Like Mario, many of the children in Starr’s care have

significant challenges in their lives. They need the four core values of the Circle of Courage, which include belonging, mastery, independence and generosity, to reach their potential.

Using this strength-based philosophy, and the type of resilience that we see in young people every day, Starr is expanding community-based, in-home care, as well as education and professional training.

As part of this plan for growth, we have made some important changes to our residential programs, including the launch of an exciting partnership with a national human service agency, Sequel Youth and Family Services, which will now help us support many more young people from across the country.

We have also, unfortunately, decided to close our Montcalm School following a period of unsustainable student populations.

More information is provided on these changes on p. 4.

As Starr’s impact grows and reaches families in new ways, we know that none of Starr’s progress is possible without the generosity of friends like Frank Zanetti of Battle Creek. The Zanetti family owns and operates Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic Co., Inc., and on p. 8 is the story of how Frank became acquainted with Starr, building a long-term relationship both personally and professionally.

Thank you for your continued support.

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. President & CEO 3

expanding S

tarr Commonwealth’s residential campus in Albion,

will manage the day-to-day operations of the residential

Michigan, has commanded great respect for over

program, utilizing its national network of human service

a century. Its rich history, beautiful setting and

clients to ensure that young people from across the country,

remarkable facilities have benefitted tens of thousands of

including Michigan, benefit from our program and our

children and are the envy of many human service agencies.

Albion campus.”

The challenge, however, for all providers of residential

Established in 1999, Sequel already operates residential

services is maintaining a strong and sustainable student population, and in recent years the number of referrals, and the funding rates in Michigan, have created challenges

from 39 states and territories with a mission to prepare young people to lead responsible and fulfilling lives by

for Starr and other providers in the state.

providing mentoring, education and living support within

To address this trend, Starr has developed a unique

one of its campuses, in the community or in people’s own

partnership with Sequel Youth and Family Services that will bring young people from across the country to the publicly funded program on the Albion campus.

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and community-based programs in 17 states, serving people

a safe, structured, dynamic environment — whether on homes.

John Stupak, the CEO of Sequel Youth and Family Services, said: “We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with

Dr. Martin Mitchell, the president and CEO of Starr, said:

Starr Commonwealth. I have been continuously impressed

“We set out to find the best partner to work with Starr on

with the leadership, staff and drive of Starr and truly

the growth of our publicly funded residential program,

believe that this is a great opportunity for Sequel, for Starr

and we are delighted to be working with Sequel Youth

and for the people who need our help.” Stupak continued:

and Family Services in this long-term partnership. Sequel

“In Starr we see a mission-driven, sophisticated organization

A partnership with Sequel Youth and Family Services opens a new chapter for Starr’s historic Albion campus

our reach

Sequel Youth and Family Services will manage the residential program on Starr’s Albion campus through a new partnership.

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Starr News that has an enormous amount of integrity. Together we will be able to reach an even larger number of children and adolescents who need our help.”

Announcing the partnership, representatives from Starr and Sequel explained that, while the transition will mean changes for many of Starr’s current employees, the agreement is expected to generate new opportunities as Starr’s residential student population grows.

The growth of the residential programs is part of a broader plan that will see

Sequel CEO John Stupak and Starr president Marty Mitchell shake hands at Starr.

people who will continue to benefit

boarding school, Montcalm, which

from Starr’s residential programs for

opened in 2000, will close after a period

many years to come. It will also help

of low and unsustainable populations

the next five years.

us to expand our community-based

in its programs. Starr will work with

Other areas of growth include Starr’s

programs in behavioral health, juvenile

students in Montcalm, and their families,

justice, child welfare, as well as in

to find appropriate alternative programs

education, and training for professionals

before the school closes Jan. 22, 2015.

Starr double the number of children and families its serves in Michigan annually, from 4,000 to 8,000, within

community-based services in juvenile justice and child welfare, behavioral health programs and charter schools.

Starr’s training programs for professionals who work with children are also expected to grow from their current reach of 17,000 professionals each year to over 20,000.

Dr. Mitchell said: “This partnership is great news for the future of our Albion campus and for the young

who work with children.”

In the new partnership, Sequel will manage Starr’s residential services for children referred through the publicly funded juvenile justice and child welfare systems, which have been a feature of Starr’s Albion programs for the last century.

Starr’s privately funded therapeutic

“We know that partnering with Sequel paves the way for a bright future for Starr’s Albion campus and will support our efforts to increase Starr’s impact in communities, in schools and in homes — wherever children and families need us.”

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- Dr. Martin L. Mitchell, president & CEO

Dr. Mitchell said: “The decision to close Montcalm has not been easy and comes after an exhaustive effort to make the school financially viable. The quality of the program and its results in terms of positive youth development and academic progress for our students have never been in question, and we are very proud of what our Montcalm staff has achieved over the last 14 years. However, the closure of the program is in the best interests of Starr’s long-term sustainability and means we can better support the growth of other programs, including community-based services and education.

“As we close Montcalm, our top priority

Autumn 2014 is ensuring that each and every one of our students experiences a smooth transition to a suitable alternative program. We are working closely with all of our students and their families to meet their needs, paying close attention to the emotional well-being of students and recognizing that each individual will handle this change in their own personal way.”

The changes to Starr’s residential programs mean that around 190 staff based on the Albion campus will leave Starr’s employment with approximately 100 being hired by Sequel Youth and Family Services to operate the public residential program.

Under this new arrangement, Starr continues to hold the licenses for the residential program and retains ownership of all assets on the Albion campus. The service will continue to be known as the Starr residential program.

Starr has served young people through public residential programs since 1913.

Dr. Mitchell added: “It is deeply

with Sequel paves the way for a bright

regrettable that we are losing a number

future for Starr’s Albion campus and

of our staff with this transition, and

will support our efforts to increase

we will do whatever we can to support

Starr’s impact in communities, in

people affected by the change to find

schools and in homes — wherever

new opportunities.

children and families need us.”

“However, we know that partnering

Starr’s services continue to grow, including our charter school, Starr Detroit Academy.

Starr aims to double the number of children and families served directly over the next five years. This will include growing residential programs, community-based and in-home services, educational services and professional training.

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Leavin

“

Unfortunately our society sees some people as disposable, but Starr does not.

Starr takes in kids who need an opportunity. They really see that there is value in everyone and direct them to where their talents lie.

�

- Frank Zanetti Frank Zanetti stands by the sign of his family owned business, Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic Co., Inc.

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ng a legacy A friend of Starr for many years, Frank Zanetti and Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic Co., Inc. continue to support Starr’s goal of reaching a greater number of children and families

S

itting in an office at his family

today with his brother, John, and other

participate in adventure education,

owned business, Battle Creek

members of the family, including

including ground initiatives and a

Tile & Mosaic Co., Inc., Frank

Frank’s daughter, Alissa.

high-ropes course.

But Zanetti’s first experience with

Seeing firsthand some of the activities

Zanetti smiles as he reminisces. The impact of the business started by his father, Santo, in 1958 is as tangible as the floor coverings that adorn the company’s showroom in Urbandale.

Success hasn’t come solely from sophisticated sales tactics or business strategy. It’s been an illustration of the family’s values — a genuine concern

Starr came long before continuing the legacy his father left at Battle Creek Tile. He attended St. Philip Catholic Central High School in Battle Creek, where he played junior varsity football and ran track. Zanetti’s teams competed against Starr students from the Albion campus, young people about whom he

for customers and the community.

knew very little.

Among several organizations with

“There was a stigma surrounding Starr

which Battle Creek Tile has developed meaningful relationships, Starr has been special to the Zanetti family for

that these were all bad kids,” Zanetti said. “As my exposure to the organization increased, I learned that those kids

decades.

weren’t much different than we were.

“A friendship has evolved over time,

That really gave us a basis on how to

and I would consider several staff

Maybe we just had more opportunities.

used by Starr staff in the therapeutic process reaffirmed Zanetti’s passion for supporting the organization.

“Unfortunately our society sees some people as disposable, but Starr does not,” he said. “Starr takes in kids who need an opportunity. They really see that there is value in everyone and direct them to where their talents lie.”

Battle Creek Tile and the Zanetti family have generously provided Starr with significant monetary donations, as well as in-kind services. Friends like the Zanettis make it possible for Starr to continue helping people reach their

help Starr.”

potential.

In addition to working with Starr

“In a humanities class I had at WMU,

through the family business, Zanetti

the professor showed us a quote, ‘All

has interacted with the organization

the fruit on the tree doesn’t ripen at

in many ways throughout the years.

the same time,’” Zanetti said. “That

Starr does.”

He served as a youth group director

quote has stuck with me, and I think

through his church and brought

that applies to what Starr does on a

Zanetti, 60, a lifelong Battle Creek

young people to Starr’s Evergreen

daily basis. Everyone needs a chance

resident and Western Michigan Uni-

Building on the Albion campus, where

to succeed, and that’s what Starr gives

versity alumnus, operates the business

students have the opportunity to

them.”

members at Starr as friends,” Zanetti said. “We’ve provided floor coverings through the business to Starr in Albion, Detroit and Van Wert (Ohio), but our family also really believes in what

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Guest speaker Mario Bonds performed with the All Starr Choir to conclude the Founder’s Day program.

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Showcasing Resilience

Founder’s Day 2014 continues Starr’s Art of Resilience project with performances from Detroit youth groups and guest speaker Mario Bonds

E

veryone has their own personal story of resilience. Each set of circumstances is different, and we all chart a different course, but resilience

resides in all of us.

To unleash this resilience can be a very personal experience — the opening of a window on one’s vulnerabilities — but also a celebration of transformation.

Mario Arnauz Bonds found fame in NBC Universal’s 2012 run of “The Glee Project,” season two, but his personal story is what truly captured the imagination of people across the nation.

Bonds’ childhood was laden with challenges, as he was faced with hunger, homelessness and abandonment.

He was also born with a disease called Morning Glory Syndrome, a degenerative eye condition that would later result in total blindness. As a result of his family instability, Bonds became withdrawn and his outlook on life was bleak.

But a move to Virginia would change all of that.

Surrounded by caring adults, Bonds began to flourish.

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“I began to recognize that a significant change in me had to occur, and a major shift in my attitude was essential if I was ever going to be successful in the future,” Bonds said during his speech. “Fortunately for me, the school system’s specialists in Virginia encouraged me to not use my blindness and my family’s circumstances as an excuse to fail in life.

“Because of them, I ultimately fell in love with reading, technology and music, and as I could no longer draw, I discovered singing and piano playing.

Finally I had the precious gift of belonging. It is essential for any child to feel this.”

Bonds refused to let his challenges derail his success. He spoke to the Founder’s Day audience about never giving up.

“Yes, my family was poor. Yes, I had an incurable eye disease that was never going away. Yes, I would never get my sight back. Yes, I was blind,” Bonds said. “But my destiny was still up to me. I could still succeed despite my tough circumstances and my disability. I could still thrive despite any obstacle. I could raise my head up high. So just what is the art of resilience?

To me, it is the ability to stand up and refuse to give up. It is making the conscious decision to look your problems in the face and say, ‘No, you cannot and will not break me.’”

In a unique Founder’s Day performance, Bonds not only spoke of how his personal story demonstrates the importance and relevance of Starr’s Circle of Courage youth development model, but he collaborated with Starr students to deliver a memorable experience for all in attendance.

In addition to solo numbers, Bonds performed a duet with a Starr student, Kayla, and was supported by the All Starr Choir and Mosaic Youth Singers in a rousing finale. The event also featured stunning performances from some of Michigan’s finest youth arts groups, including Mosaic Youth Theatre, Heritage Works, Al Nur Shabazz, as well as Mai Moody, a 2014 award recipient for Skills USA vocal competition, a high school competition that showcases students’ abilities in the arts and technology.

“Mario’s success is a wonderful example of how a person facing seemingly insurmountable odds can flourish when shown love and respect,” said Dr. Martin L. Mitchell, the president and CEO of Starr. “We are so grateful to Mario for sharing his story with our audience. He, along with the rest of the talented young people who performed, inspires us to continue doing this work that helps so many children, families and communities.”

Starr’s Art of Resilience project aims to celebrate the strengths of young people, stories of resilience that reflect why Floyd Starr had such a firm belief in the greatness of every child — the same belief that drives Starr Commonwealth today.

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Some of the youth arts groups featured at the 2014 Founder’s Day celebration included the All Starr Choir, Mosaic Youth Singers, Al Nur Shabazz and Heritage Works.

“So just what is the art of resilience? To me, it is the ability to stand up and refuse to give up. It is making the conscious decision to look your problems in the face and say, ‘No, you cannot and will not break me.’”

- Mario Arnauz Bonds Founder’s Day 2014 speaker

Youth arts groups from Detroit, as well as the All Starr Choir, performed during the Founder’s Day program.

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Starr News

chaplain’s message

Chaplain Ken Ponds

Founder’s Day 2014 conveys message that resilience and the ability to be successful lives in everyone

O

ur recently observed Founder’s Day centered

transcend and transform some of the darkest moments or

on the Art of Resilience, celebrating how many

the greatest challenges in our lives. Within us is a spirit, a

young people, especially those with whom we

“soul,” if you will, which in spite of the trials, traumas,

have the privilege of working, thrive in spite of life’s many

disappointments, abuses, etc., of life remains intact, alive

challenges, disappointments and betrayals.

and always seeking a fuller, healthier and balanced life.

In a meditation entitled “Resilience,” the day’s chapel

Some people call this “soul resilience”.

service lifted up the idea that

Perhaps this is what Floyd

the following contribute to

Starr was implying with his

resiliency in a young person

statement, “There is no such

— a supportive family, caring

thing as a bad child.”

relationships, encouragement

He saw within each young

to develop their gifts and

person who came his way a

talents, while choosing to live

child seeking a fuller, healthier

each day and having a sense of the divine.

and more balanced life.

From a spiritual viewpoint,

Today Starr, through its various programs, still works

there is a human capacity

with the “whole” child,

for resilience. However, this

making sure needs are met

capacity is not the same for

academically, behaviorally

all people.

and socially.

Research seems to imply that resilience comes more naturally to some. That being said, resilience is potentially in all of us, and can be taught, learned and even cultivated by everyone (Patrick Fleming, “Springing Back”, Weavings, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2).

For a person of faith, God’s grace enables each of us to 14

As Starr Commonwealth goes into the future, I pray that we never forget the “soul resilience” of each young person and family with whom we are privileged to work.

For photos from the Founder’s Day 2014 chapel service, visit Starr’s Facebook page.

Autumn 2014

Honor & Memorial gifts In Honor of:

CHARLES NIELSEN Mrs. Diane Nielsen SHAUNA RAKSHE Ms. Betty Kirch

In Memory of:

JAMES NORMAN ADAMS Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell HONGYU WANG BOLEY Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell WILLIAM H. CULP Mrs. Nancy Culp MARY LOUISE DALY Mr. and Mrs. Bud Fox DAVID D. DEMOTT Mrs. Rose Hathaway

CONCETTA FALCONE Mr. John Falcone PAULINE F. HALL Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell JEROME E. HOELSCHER, JR Mr. and Mrs. Jerry E. Hoelscher EDWARD G. HOWE Mr. and Mrs. Brian V. Howe MARGARET S. LEUTHEUSER Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell CLYDE LETARTE Mr. and Mrs. William P. LeTarte GLORIA MAVRIDES Mrs. Mildred Williams DEANNA G. MAYFIELD Mr. and Mrs. Randy Neumann

CLARENCE BERNARD MOLLAY Mr. and Mrs. Christian Ferguson CHARLES W. PAPIN Mr. William D. Badgero Ms. Christine Mayer Mr. and Mrs. William H. Rees Mr. and Mrs. Clif Stone JOY (GOODMAN) POLENDO Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell GERALD D. ROBINSON Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Cass MARION ROBINSON Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Cass MARIA ZANETTI Mr. Frankie A. Zanetti SANTO ZANETTI Mr. Frankie A. Zanetti

HONOR GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person and/or a special occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, while also helping Starr children. Honor gifts also may be made online at www.starr.org.

MEMORIAL GIFTS offer an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one, while extending a helping hand to the children of Starr. Memorial donations also may be made online at www.starr.org.

The current gifts reflect the period from 8-16-2014 to 10-24-2014. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed.

Floyd Starr’s daughter, margaret Leutheuser, passes away at 101 It is with great sadness that Starr announces the passing of Floyd Starr’s daughter, Margaret Leutheuser.

Born in 1913, Margaret had a deep connection with Starr, serving as a trustee from 1951-1981 and later as trustee emeritus from 1981-2014.

In 2012, prior to her (and Starr’s) 100th birthday, Margaret spoke about how her father would view the organization Starr has become today.

“He would be so proud,” she said. “He would love it. I’m proud that Starr continues to serve boys and girls so well.”

Margaret “Starry” Leutheuser, 101, is pictured here in 2012 with Starr President Marty Mitchell. She passed away Oct. 19.

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Help make the holidays brighter for Starr’s children and families.

As the holiday season approaches, Starr Commonwealth has much to be thankful for, including supporters like you who make our work possible. Consider giving a gift that brightens the holidays for the children and families we serve.

Please donate today.

To give online, visit www.starr.org/donate. For more information, please contact the development department at 800-837-5591.