Starr News - Spring 2014

NEWS Vol. 71 • No. 2

Spring 2014

Inside:

Raising Autism Awareness Leaving a Legacy

Rejuvenating Detroit

Starr News

Page 7 For the second consecutive year, students from Starr and Montcalm School performed a musical. This year, it was “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

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

Starr News Spring 2014 Volume 71 • No. 2 Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

Starr Commonwealth is a non-profit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color or national origin.

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.

John Hallacy, Chairman of the Board Martin L. Mitchell, Ed. D., President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher L. Smith, B.B.A., C.P.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Gary Q. Tester, MRC, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer 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

Ending the Wait

4

Putting On a Show

7

Leaving a Legacy

8

Raising Autism Awareness

10

Rejuvenating Detroit

12

Chaplain’s Message

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Spring 2014

president’s letter With help from our supporters, Starr continues to improve our understanding of children and families experiencing autism

W

hile the month of April is officially

We are proud of their work to show how important pub-

Autism Awareness Month, the challenge

lic awareness of autism really is, and we hope you enjoy

of improving our understanding of this

reading about their activities.

increasingly common developmental disability and improving access to treatment services is one that requires continuous attention.

In all of our work, we are thankful for the support Starr receives from its donors, and the story of Cal Lehman is a great example of how a person

While Starr is expanding its role

or family can be touched very

in this through services such as

deeply by Starr’s strength-based

our PsychSystems Autism Center

approaches – even to the point

in Harper Woods, Mich., we also

where they become lifelong sup-

recognize that we need to work

porters.

collaboratively with other agen-

We are very grateful to Mr.

cies and members of our commu-

Lehman for sharing his story and

nities to make a difference.

for his ongoing contributions to

For example, over the last eight

Starr’s mission.

months, Starr has been working

Not all of our donors, of course,

with the Michigan Chronicle

are people who have been served

newspaper based in Detroit to

directly by Starr’s programs, and

provide information aimed at

we are very fortunate to have a

equipping parents with knowl-

broad base of supporters from

edge that can help them support

across the U.S.

an autistic child and find services they need.

We aim to build on this work with more awareness raising because, as we continue to meet children and families where they are, Starr is committed to championing the cause of providing young people what they need to build on their strengths and reach their potential.

As we work to expand this network, we hope the stories both in Starr News and on our website—starr.org—give you a strong sense of the positive impact we are having on children and families each and every day.

Thank you for your support.

Often the best way to do this is to encourage young people to make their voices heard, and for Autism Awareness Month our Montcalm School students were particularly active in local communities.

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

Starr News

ending the wait

Jason Majchrzak, the director of the PsychSystems Autism Center, and Alison Donigan, one of the co-founders of PsychSystems, represented the organization at a recent event held by Metro Parent for families living with autism.

The PsychSystems Autism Center is making autism services more accessible—and timely—for Michigan’s children and families 4

Spring 2014

A

s autism becomes more prevalent—it is estimated that one in 88 children have autism and the numbers continue to rise—the need for services has increased dramatically. But instead of receiving the care their children need, many parents spend their time waiting.

ABA therapy emphasizes basic skill building through activities that help children learn appropriate coping mechanisms and problem-solving techniques. Using a method called discrete trial training, therapists introduce activities in sections, allowing for a step-by-step method of problem solving for children.

Jason Majchrzak, the director of the PsychSystems Autism Center, believes this is precious time wasted.

ABA therapy can be very costly to families, but the state of Michigan has been working over the past few years to help ease the financial burden.

“Michigan families—and families across the country—may be on waiting lists for more than a year before they can even get a diagnosis,” Majchrzak said. “This is time that could be used for therapy once the initial assessments are completed. It’s something that needs to change, and we believe PsychSystems has done a great job of helping families expedite the process.”

The PsychSystems Autism Center, which is located in Harper Woods next to Starr Detroit Academy, opened its doors in September 2013 and currently serves 10 children.

Majchrzak indicated three more children will be starting the program soon.

“This type of therapy for children with autism is expensive and can cost families $60,000 or more per year,” Majchrzak said. “It’s very intensive and requires well-trained staff.

Obviously many families can’t afford that cost, so that’s why we’re excited to be able offer this treatment at no cost to families qualifying through Medicaid.”

The state of Michigan introduced Autism Insurance Reform legislation in 2012, a portion of which mandates coverage for services like ABA therapy through Medicaid for families that qualify.

This aspect of the reform, the MIChild Autism Benefit, works with children ages 18 months to 6 years old. For those aging out of the program, Majchrzak said the PsychSystems Autism Center is preparing families to use some of the techniques of ABA therapy at home.

PsychSystems

A generous grant from the Carls Foundation allowed the center to purchase assessment tools, computers and software, furniture, outdoor play equipment and more.

Services include diagnosis, assessment and therapy focusing on early intervention, including promoting verbal behaviors, skills to function in a classroom setting, and social interactions. Children at the center now range from 2 to 6 years old.

The center uses applied behavior analysis as its treatment model, which is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for autism and is endorsed by several state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Surgeon General.

“We work with children in individual therapy settings as well as group and family therapy,” Majchrzak said. “Not only are we working with parents, we actually show parents how they can do a lot of these activities in their own homes.”

Majchrzak said the capacity of the center is around 25 children, and growth has been steady.

“Michigan families—and families across the country—may be on waiting lists for more than a year before they can even get a diagnosis.

It’s something that needs to change, and we believe PsychSystems has done a great job of helping families expedite the process.”

- Jason Majchrzak

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Starr News “We hope to offer a wider range of services in the future, and I think we have great potential for growth,” Majchrzak said. “Helping families navigate through this process is really important to us, not only providing services but doing so in a timely fashion.”

“It’s nice to be in a position where we are building a program,” Majchrzak said. “There are obviously disadvantages of being a startup center, but we also have the ability to do things other places can’t. I think our responsiveness to families has been exceptional.

Building from the ground up

“We’ve had a good turnaround time on cases, helping them get in our program in a matter of weeks as opposed to simply being put on a waiting list that may take several months.”

Majchrzak is no stranger to working with autistic children.

Prior to heading up the PsychSystems Autism Center, he spent time working in affiliation with the Detroit Medical Center and the William Beaumont Hospital’s HOPE Center and Center for Human Development. Majchrzak has been with PsychSystems for three years, working as a contracted therapist providing in-home services to children and families.

He has also worked under Dr. John Esch of Western Michigan University, a well-respected figure in the field of autism.

“My past experiences have been amazing and have prepared me for my current role as director of the PsychSystems Autism Center,” Majchrzak said. “Most of my experience has been working with autism, and I felt that this was a great opportunity for me to take my career to the next level.”

Majchrzak enjoys leading a startup endeavor, having previously worked in established organizations with longstanding programs.

In addition to his working experience, Majchrzak earned a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University, a master’s degree in clinical behavioral psychology from Eastern Michigan University and recently became a board certified behavior analyst.

The BCBA program is highly intensive, requiring 1,500 hours of supervised independent field experience, as well as a comprehensive exam and continuing education after receiving the credential. Michigan has very few BCBA therapists, something Majchrzak sees as a significant challenge to meeting the growing need for services.

“We are very understaffed in Michigan with regard to BCBA therapists and other therapists to work with this population,” Majchrzak said. “I hope to not only help children with autism but to pass on my knowledge to other therapists so they can continue to do great work.”

PsychSystems can be reached at 734-729-7792 or online at www.psychsystemsonline.com.

PsychSystems, which was founded in 2001 by Gary Carone and Alison Donigan and joined Starr in 2013, also serves children and adults with developmental disabilities and other behavioral health challenges.

The organization provides in-home or on-site services, including social skill training, anger and aggression support plans, behavioral assessments, individual and family therapy, and much more.

PsychSystems’ office is located in Wayne, Mich., and can be reached at 734-729-7792.

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Spring 2014

putting on a show

Students from Starr and Montcalm School performed “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in February

O

n Feb. 20 and 22, students from Starr and Montcalm School performed “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” a popular musical adaptation of the 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” written by Roald Dahl.

More than 80 students took part in the production, including actors, crew members, makeup artists and others.

“We chose to perform ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ because everyone knows the story,” said Jeff Cornhill, fine arts director at Starr and Montcalm. “It’s a great story of the power of imagination.”

This marks the second year in a row

that the fine arts department guided students in the production of a musical. Students performed “The Wizard of Oz” in February 2013.

“Whether they got a lead part or not, the kids were excited to be a part of this production,” Cornhill said. “These types of activities have a way of getting students to work together. Then when staff, parents and the community come out and enjoy all of the hard work the students have put in, it makes the activity valuable on many different levels.”

Cornhill said he was proud of the students for all of their hard work, as he received many positive messages from staff and families.

“We had several families and members of the community join us last year,” Cornhill said.

“With all of the compliments we received, there was no doubt in my mind that we would have another great turnout. We were certainly not disappointed. We just keep raising the bar for the next performance.”

Roughly 200 spectators showed up to the Feb. 22 performance, which was held in the auditorium on Starr’s Albion campus for parents and members of the community.

To view photos from the event, visit Montcalm School’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/montcalmschool.

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Starr News

leaving a

Legacy

Alumnus Cal Lehman hopes to provide others with the same impactful experience he had at Starr

T

oday Cal Lehman is content. At 85, the Starr alumnus

His first experiences with school were negative as well. Lehman

reflects on his life with a sense of pride while recalling

recalls a first-grade teacher who tried to get the left-hander to

his accomplishments.

write with his right hand. He refused, and she sent him off to

“You don’t need to be a CEO of a big company to be successful,” Lehman said. “I have a lot to be grateful for, and I just hope I

“For the simple fact that I was left-handed, I was removed from

can give something back.”

the rest of the class,” Lehman said. “I was treated as different,

He wasn’t always so satisfied. In fact he said he used to be very hard on himself, too much of a perfectionist. He views himself

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the corner of the room.

and that was a humiliating experience for me. It was something as simple as that event that led to me disliking school.”

as a run-of-the-mill guy, but the circumstances he faced as a

School challenges coupled with his troubling situation at home

child make his story anything but average.

created a toxic environment all around.

Lehman grew up in South Haven, Mich. He describes his father as

“My parents recognized that I was having problems socializ-

distant, a man who didn’t seem to have time for his children. This

ing and with my attitude,” Lehman said. “I was not happy at

led to Lehman acting out, running away from home on multiple

home or in school, so my parents began looking into programs.

occasions. His mother was the stabilizing factor in the family, he

Through the grape vine they heard about Starr, so my parents

recalls, but even she couldn’t handle his increasingly poor behavior.

took a trip and spoke to some of the staff.”

Spring 2014 Once Lehman arrived at Starr in 1944, his attitude began to change. He began relating to the boys with whom he lived, and he was surrounded by caring adults.

He joined the choir, played sports and even became an honorary driver for Floyd Starr, a position he coveted but would eventually lose because of a poor decision.

“That really taught me a valuable lesson,” Lehman said. “I had something taken away that I really cared about. It was discipline at the right time for me. You don’t always get that at home. I definitely learned from it.”

After two years at Starr, Lehman and his family determined he was ready to come home. He would later realize it was too soon to leave the program. He enlisted in the Air Force and would serve from 1946-49, traveling overseas to Asia before returning to Michigan.

Upon returning home, where Lehman would live until getting married, the problems that occurred prior to Starr began to reemerge. He finished his high school requirements, married his wife, Donna, and began his career.

Lehman worked in furniture sales for many years, moving out of state for a period of time before eventually returning to Michigan. Tragically his wife would pass away at a young age, due in part to complications stemming from rheumatic fever she had as a child. The couple never had children.

Alumnus Cal Lehman recently shared stories of his time at Starr from 1944-45.

Lehman leaned heavily on memories of his time at Starr.

“Starr is always in the background,” Lehman said. “With every aspect of my life, I’m always thinking about Starr. It was so structured, exactly what I needed at the time. We learned a certain way to make the bed, where you pull the sheet on the corner and tuck it so it’s perfect. I still do that today. You can never forget something that was so meaningful.”

Lehman has supported Starr through donations for several years, but he wasn’t engaged with any staff members for much of that time. Upon receiving a call from a member of Starr’s development team, Lehman got back in touch with the organization that has meant so much to him.

“Losing my wife was a hard time, of course,” Lehman said. “For a while there, I just didn’t care anymore. It was hard to overcome that moment in my life.”

In October 2013, he attended Starr’s 100th anniversary Founder’s Day celebration with a friend who encouraged him to go. It was his first time back at Starr since his days as a student.

But throughout his difficult experiences,

“My friend persuaded me to come to

Founder’s Day, and I’m so glad I did,” Lehman said. “He was so impressed with Starr, and for someone to see it for the first time like he did, I was happy that he was so impressed. It felt really good for me to be back. I had no idea the extent of all the changes that Starr has made, from working with autism to everything else.

It’s wonderful.”

Because of his experience as a student at Starr and what it has meant to him, Lehman has generously included Starr in his estate plans. He said despite the changes and advancements in society since his time at Starr, this work is still very necessary.

“I want to give back to the organization that has done so much for me,” Lehman said. “It would be the most important thing I’ve ever done, to give back, to help children. Floyd was so passionate, so sincere in his caring for troubled kids that he dedicated his life to it. Today that is still true. Everything they do at Starr is for the good of people. You can’t ask for more than that.”

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Raising Autism

Awareness

“Everyone who has been diagnosed with anything has had their psyche and self-esteem damaged, no matter whom. No one ever knew that they were going to be diagnosed with any form of autism. Most kids that already know that they have been diagnosed blamed their troubles on their ‘problems.’ But it was never a problem, it was a gift. Autistic students are first-class because with a weakness comes a strength. With strength comes greatness!

-Luke, a Montcalm Life Academy student

Spring 2014

Students in Montcalm School’s Life Academy program run businesses and sell products like handmade candles and bracelets.

C

elebrating April as Autism Awareness Month

April through selling student-made products, like soy

and participating in the “Light It Up Blue,”

candles and blue candles—to raise awareness of autism—

world autism awareness initiative through Autism

that will go toward helping provide important business

Speaks, Montcalm School’s Life Academy students engaged with their peers and the community while learning valuable skills.

opportunities for students.

Jake, a Life Academy student, shared about his experiences at the shopping centers: “We met a lot of

The Life Academy is an aspect of the therapeutic boarding

interesting people and had fun talking to them about

and day school for students with autism spectrum

our products and Autism Awareness Month.”

disorders. In the Life Academy program, students put their education into practice by running businesses, practicing research, budgeting, planning and selling products produced by the students.

Another student, Terry, said: “I learned how to better deal with my anxiety about talking to people I don’t know. Some people weren’t interested in what we were saying, but it was good practice learning how to get past

“Since September of last year, Life Academy has done a

that. Some people were nice and showed a lot of support

lot of different products like paracord bracelets, candles

for autism awareness and Life Academy.”

and others that are in progress,” said Kayta, a student in the Life Academy.

In addition to the student’s efforts to bring awareness and celebrate the month, Montcalm administrators

Students in Life Academy encouraged fellow Montcalm

attended numerous events, including the Kalamazoo/

students to wear blue every Tuesday in support of Autism

Battle Creek Autism Society Walk About Talk About

Awareness Month.

Autism Walk in Portage, Mich., the Autism Alliance

The students also visited local shopping centers, setting up a display table where they provided materials to

of Michigan Gala held in Detroit, and presented at the Metro Parent Autism Workshops in Troy, Mich.

explain the “Light It Up Blue” initiative and sell their

Handmade products are available for purchase through

products, which included a student-designed anti-

the Life Academy by calling 517.630.2519. Soy candles

bullying T-shirt with the saying, “You can’t CHANGE

are $10 and include vanilla bean, love spell, clean cotton

me like I’m some kind of shirt.”

and lavender scents. T-shirts are $10, and paracord

According to Kayta, Life Academy grossed $311.70 in

bracelets and key fobs range from $3 to $5.

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Starr News

rejuvenating detroit

Staff members from Starr Detroit and StarrVista paint a picnic table at Douglas Ramsay Memorial Playground in Detroit.

Starr staff and students work together to make Detroit park a place for the community to enjoy

S

tarr Detroit has recently come together to make a change in the community by adopting a local park.

The staff adopted the Douglas Ramsay Memorial Playground in April of this year. The park, located just off of Grand River Avenue in Detroit, is adjacent to many homes as well as Edison Elementary School, and is the perfect place for local families to spend their summers.

On May 2, the staff at Starr Detroit and StarrVista went out with rakes, shovels and paintbrushes to make the small improvements necessary to rejuvenate the park. By cleaning up windblown trash and repainting some benches and picnic tables, they were able to help make Ramsay Park into a place where parents in Detroit could take their children to play and enjoy nature.

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Ramsay Park also has a large play structure and a baseball diamond that are both open to the community for use. This summer, Starr Detroit staff plan on seeing plenty of baseball games, picnics and more with staff and the surrounding community held at Ramsay Park.

Starr Detroit staff will be the major contributors to keeping the park looking nice, but some of the community-based Starr students will be helping out with maintaining and renovating the park as service learning activities. Planting gardens and working to make the park a happy place for kids teaches students about the value of hard work, a lesson they will keep with them after they leave Starr’s care.

If you are in the Detroit area, you are welcome to come out to Ramsay Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery our staff has worked to maintain.

Childhood Trauma Practitioner’s Conference July 14 - 18, 2014 Lansing Center, Lansing, Michigan

Spring 2014

I feel better!

Trauma training and certification for practitioners who work in schools, organizations, agencies or private practice.

Includes lunch and CEs. For complete assembly information and a brochure go to, www.starr.org/tlc-ctp-conference

Robin Karr-Morse • Keynote Speaker

Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence Robin Karr-Morse, author of “Ghosts from the Nursery,” will explain how the brain develops; the biological roots of violent and aggressive behavior; the relationship between child neglect and abuse and current incarceration rates; how to prevent the expanding rate of incarceration and preventive social policies that help families build healthy kids.

What Professionals Have Said TLC has the best trainers and remains the most valuable resource for my work in private practice and with children at school. Out of all my university courses and professional development efforts, the TLC conferences have taught me the most!

Libby Christensen, Private Practice, Nappanee, Indiana I just want to say how wonderful the TLC training was. My co-worker and I left feeling really energized about bringing many of the things we learned back to our district. We can’t wait for the next TLC Childhood Trauma Practitioner’s Assembly!

Michael R. Markowitz MSEd, School Psychologist, Dublin, Ohio The TLC certification program has been remarkable.I am seeing changes in the children and families I serve. I highly recommend TLC to other clinicians.

Melanie Chung-Sherman, Lewisville, Texas

The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) www.starrtraining.org/tlc n 877.306.5256 13

Starr News

chaplain’s message

Chaplain Ken Ponds

Although Passover and Easter celebrations deal with death, it is also a time of assurance and hope

T

he celebration of Passover and Easter is an interesting moment that speaks of death, yet a moment that speaks of overwhelming assurance and hope. The celebration is also a time of remembrance.

When they occur in the month of April, as they did this year, it is an especially poignant time for me.

Almost 20 years ago in April, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed in my hometown of Oklahoma City, killing and injuring hundreds of people among whom were a few personal acquaintances. Prior to this in April, a number of years earlier, a group of college friends from Kansas headed out to California for spring break, planning to return home just in time for Easter. I was a member of the group. On the way home, we were involved in a horrific auto accident leading to death for one. For the survivors, it took weeks, months and even years of hospital stays, operations, physical, mental and spiritual therapy, and doctor visits for recovery. As a result of these events, and others, I am always amazed at how death imposes itself upon life.

I remember as a little boy my mom would pile my brothers and I into the car to go pick up my dad from work at the main post office building a block from where the Murrah Building stood. It was something we looked forward to almost every week night.

As we got older, we would often go to the main city library that faced the Murrah Building, and later my brothers and I, and many of the people we grew up with, attended Moon Junior High School, a few short blocks away. So for me, the vicinity of the Murrah Building held fond memories. Yet, 14

when I return to Oklahoma City now and visit the memorial created to remember the victims of the bombing, my remembrance of the past has been forever changed.

The same is true when I remember the auto accident.

California dreaming! For many in my generation, visiting California was a dream with its beautiful vistas, beautiful people, beautiful cities and beaches, and great experiences for the young and the young at heart. Yet for me and my friends, our California dream was forever altered. In both instances, death was imposed upon life.

However the good news of both Passover and Easter is that while death is imposed upon life, God, out of God’s steadfast love, God’s amazing grace and God’s everlasting presence, life imposes upon death. In fact, God takes away the power of death over life, which leads to hope, a hope which assures us that as God lives, we also will live.

Out of these two remembrances in my life have come blessings without measure, too many to recount here in this short article. But as an example, every survivor involved in the auto accident, except one, entered the ministry. The one who did not enter the ministry became an outstanding high school teacher, union organizer and community activist. It would be difficult for me to count how many people God has blessed through our work, how many remembrances God has changed through hope given.

May this same God, who changed my remembrances to ones of hope, continue to work in the lives of Starr’s young people, changing their remembrances to ones of hope.

Spring 2014

Honor & Memorial gifts In Honor of:

BILL AND NORMA MORELAND Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann CHARLES NIELSEN Ms. Diane Nielsen SHANNON AND MATTHEW TIPTON Ms. Yvonne Tipton

In Memory of:

MARGARET V. ATKINS Mr. and Mrs. Dallas E. Seiler PATRICIA L. ENDRESS Mr. Richard B. Endress CONCETTA FALCONE Mr. John Falcone LENA GARRETSON Mrs. Jean Bretzel KURT GRANBERRY Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann CATHERINE HEINLEN Dr. George Lauff DOROTHEA HIBBLER Grace and Jim Colter FREDRIC KAEHLER Mrs. Janet Kaehler BETTY ANNABELLE KIRKWOOD Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann GEORGE J. LAUFF Dr. George Lauff JOHN TERRENCE LEACH Mrs. Lucille Leach CLYDE E. LETARTE Mr. and Mrs. George E. Byam Mr. and Mrs. George D. Goodman Mr. and Mrs. James P. Kiely

Dr. and Mrs. Russell G. Mawby Mr. and Mrs. Jim McCall Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Old House Gardens and Staff The Richmond Agency Ms. Christine Romberger Mr. and Mrs. Stan Szymanski Dr. and Mrs. Philip Ward Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Woodring GEORGE LIVINGSTON Mrs. Virginia Derderian MARION OCHS Mr. James W. Ochs RICHARD A. PATTERSON Ms. Joanne Anhalt Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Bale Ms. Linda K. Buddemeier Ms. Karen L. Crook Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Galbreath Ms. Betty A. Geib Mrs. Pat Halverson Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Heasley Ms. Joyce Henson Ms. Janice Herrick Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Irwin Mr. and Mrs. Eric H. Kent Ms. Carol Newton Mr. and Mrs. Allen F. Wait Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wood IRENE L. PAYNE Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell WILLIAM RANGER Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell

MARILYN REED Ms. Norma A. Pitts MARGARET A. RIECKER Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness HENRY SALESKI Ms. Lois Veith KEN SCOTT Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell BARBARA SHOBE Grace and Jim Colter ROSE ANN SMALL Mrs. Mary E. Mills JOHN C. TELANDER Mrs. John Telander JIM THOMAS Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Thomas LARRY THOMAS Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Thomas MARVIN O. WEISS Mrs. Barbara Weiss HARRIETT H. YORK Mr. Alton G. York

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 1-31-2014 to 4-25-2014. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed.

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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 Address service requested

Officers Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. President Chief Executive Officer Christopher L. Smith, BBA., CPA Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA 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

Board of Trustees Honorable John Hallacy, Chair District Court Judge 10th District Court Battle Creek, MI 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 Wally Bakare Vice President, Operations Time Warner Cable Mid Ohio Division Columbus, OH Scott Bennett Vice President UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI Doug Clark Senior Vice President Masterworks Poulsbo, 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 Dr. Pamela Lemerand Professor Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Kenneth Miller Chief Executive Officer Principal Partner Millennium Restaurant Group Kalamazoo, MI Randy Neumann Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX William C. Rands Managing Partner Sagres Partners, L.P. Grosse Pointe, MI Cornelia Romanowski Educator Shavertown, PA Mary E. Rutan Human Resources Director (Retired) Grosse Pointe Woods, MI Erick Stewart President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI Bruce Vande Vusse Attorney Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Farmington Hills, MI George Wilson General Agent Wilson Insurance Services Gilbert Wiseman Agency Flint, MI

Trustees Emeritus

President Emeritus

Margaret Starr Leutheuser Daughter of Floyd Starr Haverford, PA

Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

Michael J. Gable Human Resources Executive Orlans Associates, PC Troy, MI George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI Dr. Russell G. Mawby Chairman Emeritus W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI Honorable Eugene A. Moore Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson DuprĂŠ Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA Sylvia Starr Richey Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Seal Beach, CA