Starr News Winter 2019

NEWS

VOL. 84 • NO. 1 WINTER 2019

Accredited Agency: Life’s Seasons 2019 Trauma & Resilience Conferences Donor Spotlight: Cathy Dillon Starr’s New eLearning Platform You’re Invited to Night of Starrs Cover:

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 – 2019) President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI Stanley Allen, Secretary (2014 – 2023) Configuration Engineering Wells Fargo & Company Des Moines, IA Milton Barnes (2019 – 2028) CEO & Founder Play Right Basketball Academy Albion, MI Scott Bennett (2010 – 2019) Senior Vice President Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI

Simon P. Bisson (2018 – 2027) Vice President, Institutional Relations and Development University Hospitals Health System Cleveland, OH George A. Goodman (2010 – 2019) Ypsilanti, MI Huilan Krenn (2017 – 2026) Director of Learning & Impact W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI Lisa Miller (2018 – 2027) President MMK Consulting Group Coldwater, MI Randy Neumann (2013 – 2022) Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX Sean Silver (2019 – 2028) Senior Vice President Bank of America Merrill Lynch Troy, MI

Trustees Emeritus

President Emeritus

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

Martin L. Mitchell President Emeritus Coldwater, MI Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

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

*All Officers and Trustees can be reached at the following address and phone number:

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

Starr Commonwealth 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-5591

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

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 Winter 2019 Volume 84 • No. 1 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

Table of Contents President’s Letter

3

Accredited Agency Life’s Seasons

4

2019 Trauma & Resilience Conferences

7

Donor Spotlight: Cathy Dillon

8

Starr’s New eLearning Platform

9

Night of Starrs

10

Honor and Memorial Gifts

2

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Winter 2019

president’s letter New Beginnings

T

his past year allowed Starr Commonwealth

Trauma Informed Accreditation. Life’s Seasons

to continue leading with courage to work

in Ontario is our first fully accredited agency, and

toward our vision of universal hope,

this accomplishment demonstrates their dedica-

boundless love and limitless

tion to building resilience

success for all children. This

in the clients that they

edition of Starr News is a testament to that success. We pay tribute to amazing people like Cathy Dillon, who has become a recent supporter of Starr and an advocate for our organization. Without heroes like Cathy, we would not be able to continue our

It started with Floyd Starr, and continues today through our dedication to the spirit of our mission that “we see the greatness in every child.”

work of building resilience in children and communities.

To celebrate others like Cathy, the Night of Starrs returns in its third year honoring champions for children in our local communities and celebrating their accomplishments.

serve. In addition, we are also providing a number of Trauma and Resilience Conferences around the country

and

updating

our online courses and eLearning platform in order to deliver the most current and professional trainings.

Through it all, though, Starr is still the organization we were over 100 years ago – led by revolutionaries in the field of treating trauma and building resilience in youth. It started with Floyd Starr, and continues today through our dedication to the

While we’re proud of our accomplishments, we’re

spirit of our mission that “we see the greatness in

not to rest on our laurels. At Starr, we are forever

every child.”

changing, growing and adapting our services to the evolving needs of the children, families and com-

Sincerely,

munities we serve. We are excited to share that schools and agencies can now work towards Starr

Elizabeth Carey, President and CEO

3

Accredited Agency Life’s Seasons

L

Founders of Life’s Seasons left to right: Annette Miner, Manager of Client Services, her husband, Jim Miner, Executive Director and their daughter, Tina Hunter, Director of Counseling Services.

ife’s Seasons Care and Support is a registered

Miner, the founders of Life’s Seasons, found Starr

nonprofit charity with a mission very much in

Commonwealth’s National Institute for Trauma and

line with that of Starr Commonwealth: to come

alongside children, youth, couples, families and individuals of all ages who are in need of a supporting hand. Their aim is to encourage, equip and empow-

Loss in Children (TLC) and it has been a great partnership ever since.

Annette Miner first learned about TLC in the early

er those who are hurting and broken, and the many

2000s when she attended a Trauma and Resilience con-

who care for them, with the skills and resources nec-

ference to learn about and understand trauma’s impact

essary to journey through life’s most difficult times.

on her local community. “When Annette first learned

Through the pursuit of their mission, Jim and Annette

of and experienced Starr’s TLC program, it changed

4

Life’s Seasons

her perspective,” said Jim Miner, Executive Director of Life’s Seasons.

cessful in supporting Indigenous Communities.”

Life’s Seasons supports clients of all ages, accepting in-

Seeing the need to support the individuals and families

dividual and agency referrals to support anyone in need.

of the greater Sarnia, Ontario community

and

build

their

strength to preserve and prevail through life’s many changing seasons, Jim and Annette converted their two-car garage into an office space. While small in its footprint, they filled each square foot with new energy and hope.

Word of mouth quickly spread about the quality of their services, and soon Life’s Seasons was looking for additional staff and a larger space.

“It’s a powerful thing to hire new staff, bring them on board and

“We believe the key to our success

“As a worker in this field, I want to use what is tried and true, what I believe in, and what I am seeing work.

I know there are a million models out there, but I want to use what makes sense and works. This model works.”

share with them Starr’s approach

is our staff ’s passion for establishing a relationship with each of our clients,” explains Jim. “Many agencies take only a clinical approach, but through the support of Starr and trainers like Dr. Soma, we have seen and experienced how powerful curiosity and personal connection can be.”

Last year, Life’s Seasons served 600 clients through a total of 4,000 appointments. From two staff members in their two-car garage, they have grown into a staff of ten and expanded into a new location. All the while, their

to the healing of trauma, and then to hear them say they

commitment to providing trauma informed, resilience

wish they could have been exposed to it sooner – be-

focused care to their community and the First Nations

cause it is far more advanced and applicable than any of

people has strengthened.

the past training they have received,” shared Jim Miner.

The team at Starr is excited to share that, after com-

“Starr’s trauma informed and resilience focused model

pletion, review and approval of Starr Commonwealth’s

fits so well with the work we are doing to support the

Accreditation Requirements, Life’s Seasons is the first

First Nation Communities and complements [Canada’s]

agency to earn Starr Commonwealth Accreditation as

Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” states Tina

a Trauma Informed Organization. While their journey

Hunter, the Director of Counseling Services. “Being

with Starr began nearly 20 years ago, the formal process

able to walk in with cultural competency is one thing,

to become accredited started in early 2018. Under the

but being able to walk in with training that is based on

leadership of Jim, Annette and Tina, their staff remained

acknowledging and validating the experience of trau-

committed to completing all of the necessary coursework

ma – with a population that has been so hurt by past

and trainings, and, more importantly, to learning how to

clinical and institutional work – has made a world of

create the meaningful connections that continue to in-

difference, and I believe it is why we have been so suc-

spire new beginnings and opportunities for their clients.

5

Life’s Seasons

The Life’s Seasons team from left to right, back row: Rebecca Nettleship, Kristin Anjema, Tracy Barclay, Brandon Meyering, Jim Miner, Chris Holbrook, Jenny Jolly. Front row: Tina Hunter, Annette Miner, Randilee Michelin, and Michelle Holbrook.

Absent from picture: Danielle Kim, Lori-Lynn Pressel, and Richard Teskey.

With this accreditation, Life’s Seasons is backed by Starr

in this field, I want to use what is tried and true, what I

Commonwealth’s 105 years of evidence-based research

believe in, and what I am seeing work. I know there are a

and practices. Their agency’s dedication to building

million models out there, but I want to use what makes

resilience in the lives of everyone they serve is represented by an accred-

sense and works. This model works.”

itation certificate and the

Interested

continued support offered

more about the Starr’s

to their community. It is

professional training and

a great honor for Starr to

coaching, and how to be-

offer the seal of accreditation with such a committed group of caring professionals.

in

learning

come a trauma informed educator, clinician or organization? Please contact info@starr.org. The team

When asked, “Why Starr?”

would be honored to start

Tina shared, “As a worker

the conversation. F

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Trauma & Resilience Conferences Coming Up This Summer!

This year, the professional training and coaching arm of

sionals to learn directly from experts like Dr. Caelan

Starr Commonwealth is expanding its conference list to

Soma, Erin Reed and James Hackworth, but also from

allow more child serving professionals the opportunity

each other! Last year, one participant said it best: “I’m a

to become trauma informed.

Starr’s Trauma and Resilience conferences offer unique courses for teachers, social workers and therapists to learn new ways to connect with and positively impact the individuals they serve. Through subjects like Trauma Informed Schools, Mind Body Skills,

Conference Schedule • June 11-12: Rockwall, TX • July 23-26: Clinton Township, MI • August 5-9: Spring Arbor University, MI

Courageous Connections and more, participants will discover ways to see the true root of problematic behavior and how to bring about meaningful, long lasting change.

Attending a Starr conference not only allows profes-

teacher, and this was an eye opening experience for me, as I have several children in my class with trauma indicators. I was looking at it as behavior problems, but more likely it is a trauma response. I will be working more closely with my school counselor to dig deeper. Thank you.”

To learn more about our confer-

ences and register for one near you, visit www.starr.org/ training-schedule. Summer vacation already tied up?

No worries! Many of these courses can be taken online at https://store.starr.org/Course. F

Erin Madden Reed, Senior Trainer at Starr, shares how new, positive experiences can build new pathways in the brain, and thus resilience.

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Donor Spotlight

Cathy Dillon, Founder & Owner of Angels,

A

Cathy Dillon

fter a particularly difficult series of losses in

In speaking of her store, Cathy said, “The entire process

her life, Cathy Dillon was led down a path

was spirit led. Today, more and more, people are look-

to merge her passion for art with her love

ing for places to donate fine home furnishings, both

for philanthropy. In September of 2015, her passions

secular and religious in nature. They want their mean-

created a new beginning, and Angels, Saints and Stuff,

ingful family items to go to homes where they will be

a non-profit, high-end décor store was born.

valued, appreciated and cared for. My place turned out

Every corner of the store is filled with upscale religious

to be just what our community needed in this regard.”

and secular jewelry, statues and furniture, as well as

“People really enjoy their experience at the store. The

both retail and consigned art. The proceeds from the

atmosphere lifts their hearts to God and their minds

store go to non-profits, such as Starr Commonwealth,

to the idea of serving others. Often times, they don’t

Vista Maria, Angel’s Place, Sanctum House, the

want to leave,” muses Cathy. The craft nights are anoth-

Methodist Children’s Home and the Detroit Rescue

er attraction for her community and supporters. Here,

Mission Ministries. Each year, $30,000 is donated to

charities share an art or craft idea with those who at-

the noted charities and causes, along with rosaries, re-

tend, and the proceeds go to the charity that is hosting

ligious cards and hand-made hats.

the event.

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Saints and Stuff

Starr’s New eLearning Platform!

Starr Commonwealth is excited to announce

As a mother of four, Cathy has a heart for disadvantaged

a series of web-based changes the team has

youth. “I think of my own children and the many won-

been anxiously waiting to tell the public – the

derful opportunities they have been given. It makes me

creation of a new online store and eLearning

want the same for all children. This is what attracted

platform!

me to Starr.”

The online store is a resource for teachers,

Cathy first learned about Starr Commonwealth from Lynn Komasara, a Major Gift Officer at Starr and friend of Cathy’s from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

As the two friends caught up on where their lives had taken them, Cathy was surprised to learn that Starr, Lynn’s new employer, had a history of serving youth in the Detroit area for 105 years.

She was intrigued by its founder, Floyd Starr, and his positive, strength based approach to healing youth, and

social workers, therapists and other professionals to expand their training in the areas of trauma informed care, crisis intervention, mind body skills and more. The new design has an easy to navigate layout that will help people find the courses and content they are looking for faster, as well as provide previews of other courses that may interest them.

Along with the store, Starr has rolled out a new eLearning platform, establishing a stron-

wanted to learn more. In a short period of time, Cathy

ger site for customers to take online courses

read through the book, “Faith Made Visible” and was

from trained professionals and experts in the

convinced that, “God was behind the work.”

field of trauma informed, resilience focused

Supporting Starr’s 105th Anniversary event provided Cathy with a better understanding of the groundbreaking work that Starr’s professional coaching and training is doing in the schools across the country. She

care. Equally exciting is the new content the Starr team has been hard at work creating to ensure that the best information and most engaging videos possible are at your fingertips! Throughout the year, new courses will

was happy to hear about Lincoln Park Public Schools

continue to roll out, and the team is eager for

in Wayne County, Mich. and the transformation they

you to experience each.

have experienced with Starr’s help. Seeing the benefits of supporting an organization with the ability to help as many people as Starr has transformed Cathy into a lifelong advocate for the organization. “Starr’s mission to create positive experiences so that all children, families and communities flourish continues to speak to my heart.” F

The new store and eLearning platform will go live the last week of February, and if you have any questions about either, please email the Starr Team at info@starr.org.

store.starr.org 9

NIGHT of STARRS A night of celebration – a night to illuminate the greatness in all.

You Are Invited!

April 11, 2019 Starr Albion Campus 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

S

tarr Commonwealth’s third annual Night of

greater Marshall, Mich. area; and Dr. Harry Bonner,

Starrs will bring new and old friends and sup-

for his commitment to developing programs that pro-

porters together once again on Starr’s Albion

vide children strong mentors and the confidence to see

campus. On Thursday, April 11, 2019, Starr will illu-

and achieve success within the greater Albion, Mich.

minate the greatness in all through a celebration that

community.

honors local advocates for children via the Stand Tall award, and features hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a variety of fundraising activities.

If you are interested in adding an additional experience to your visit, a VIP event will be taking place on campus from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with enhanced appetizers

This event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., providing

and further opportunities for entertainment, network-

guests with an opportunity to learn about the mission

ing and engaging with Starr’s leadership.

of Starr Commonwealth, network with fellow supporters, enjoy refreshments and hear from the youth and communities we support.

This year, the Stand Tall awards will be given to Battle Creek Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Kim Carter, for her visionary leadership in transforming the Battle Creek, Mich. school district while fully engaging their collective community; Tom Franke, for his tireless support of creating safe environments for children to discover and develop their creative talents in the

10

Tickets are available for purchase at www.starr.org/ NightofStarrs-Tickets.

Sponsorships are also available for this event. By becoming a sponsor, your investment will help Starr continue to illuminate the greatness in all. There are four tiers of sponsorship available – find one that works for you at www.starr.org/NightofStarrs-Sponsorships!

Please, come share your support and your greatness with Starr Commonwealth at the Night of Starrs! F

Honor & Memorial Gifts The gifts reflect the period from 10/1/2018 - 1/31/2019. 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: ALL THE CHILDREN Mr. and Mrs. Ted Johnson ANNA AND CHARLOTTE Mr. John Thompson CARRIE AND SAMANTHA BARBER Mrs. Evelyn Jones LEONARD BEARD Mrs. Leonard Beard JUDD BERTHIAUME Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Benson DR. LARRY K. BRENDTRO Mrs. Elizabeth Carey CALEB DONOVICK Dr. Valerie Perdue DINAH DURUSSELL Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Benson JACK HONHART Ms. Anne Honhart MR. AND MRS. MILES JONES Mrs. Evelyn Jones

JOYCE STARR Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann

RICHARD CORPRON Ms. Marjorie J. Thomas

DR. RUSS MAWBY Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness

GLENN STEVENS Team 1 Plastics

EDWIN COTTRELL Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. DesJardins

LESTER MCCOY Mr. John G. McCoy

CARL STEWART Ms. Carol D. Stewart

BRUCE WILSON DAVIS Mr. Robert C. Davis

R. BRADNER MEAD Ms. Pamela J. Davis

IAN STEWART Ms. Kathy Miller

MAURICE N. DAVIS Mrs. Rebecca Davis

ARTHUR MOORE Mrs. Jeanine W. Dean

KATHERINE SWEITZER Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sweitzer

DONALD DECOTIS, SR. Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann

JOHN G. MULHERN Ms. Sheila Mulhern

JULIE VOIGT Mr. and Mrs. David C. Dooley Mrs. Barbara Fields Mr. and Mrs. Michael Yoham

JAMES RYON DEGENHARDT Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann

JOAN O’CONNOR PANARO Mr. Joseph M. Panaro

DAVID DUNSHEE Mrs. Carel Dunshee

MARGARET M. PETSCH Mrs. Marian M. Wood

MARQUERITE ENDRES Mr. and Mrs. Michael Demarchis

JON A. RHOADES Mr. and Mrs. Allan E. Mills

PATRICIA L. ENDRESS Mr. Richard B. Endress

SYLVIA STARR RICHEY Mr. Michael Weaver

CONCETTA FALCONE Mr. John Falcone

GERALD D. AND MARION ROBINSON Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Cass Mrs. Mary Ann Davis

KONNER AND GARRETT VOIGT Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt ERVIN J. WILEE FAMILY Ms. Marilyn J. Heiling STARR FACULTY AND STAFF Mr. Joel Weinthal MY FORMER STUDENTS Mr. and Mrs. Larry Konzen

MR. AND MRS. RONALD JONES Mrs. Evelyn Jones

CLARKSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL STAFF, COACHES AND FRIENDS Ms. Phyllis Ness

ROBERT G. LEWIS Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann

In Memory of:

ROBERT AND HELENE MALDEGEN Ms. Jann Lardo DR. MARTIN L. MITCHELL Mrs. Elizabeth Carey DR. AND MRS. MARTIN L. MITCHELL Mr. and Mrs. Mark Veich MARCELLA MOOTZ Miss Anna Lee Teets Miss Sara Lee Teets DR. ARLIN E. NESS Mrs. Elizabeth Carey Ms. Joyce E. Soebbing

TERRY BECKER Mr. Charles T. Becker HARPER BELFOUR Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Hathaway J.P. BOERIGTER Ms. Letitia C. Boerigter HENRY J. BOESCH Mrs. Joan B. Knapp MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND BOWERS Mr. Ray D. Bowers JOSEPH BRAMBLE Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt

KENNETH T. AND AILEEN V. FRENCH Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. French LEONARD GODFREY Mrs. Fernalene Godfrey ROBERT A. GRADY Ms. Dora Grady MAX AND MAUDE GRANT Mr. Gordon P. Grant WAYNE L. HARTMAN Mrs. Carol Hartman MANNY JAMES IRWIN Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt RICHARD F. JACOBSON Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann KRISTOV M. KNOBLOCH Mr. Scott Merchant

DR. AND MRS. ARLIN E. NESS Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Sheridan

RALPH CAREY Mrs. Ruth Carey

DONNA L. LEHMAN Mr. Calvin A. Lehman Ms. Elizabeth Vizarrondo

RAYMOND OPEZZO Ms. Phyllis Ness

EDWARD S. COE Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Pettengill

ELAINE LEIGHTON Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leighton

BOB REYNOLDS Mrs. Mary E. Reynolds

MARVIN L. COLNESS Mrs. LaVerne I. Colness

JOLAN LENKEY Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Lenkey

CAELAN K. SOMA Mr. and Mrs. Michael McElroy

SUSANNE CONNOR Mrs. Millie A. Connor

DONALD H. LILJE Ms. Betty A. Lilje

SHARON ROITER Ms. Annette Andrews “UNCLE” FLOYD STARR Mrs. Elizabeth A. Carey ELTA HELEN ARBER STARR Mr. Michael Weaver CARL AND EVA STEWART Mr. Nathan Stewart BARBARA TOUSEY Mr. William H. Tousey ROBERT A. WEBER Mrs. Mary L. Weber FRED WEBERLING Mrs. Fran Weberling GORDON WILLIAMS Mrs. Eleanor Williams SHIRLEY A. WILSON Mr. Woodrow Wilson, Jr. PAMELA WINGERTER Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rowbotham JERRY YOHAM Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt

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Are you looking for a way to make a difference in 2019?

Hold a birthday fundraiser!

Encourage friends and family to donate to Starr for your birthday in lieu of presents and cards. It’s easy, fun and can truly make a difference to those we serve.

Visit www.starr.org/birthday to start your fundraiser, and when the day comes,

Happy Birthday!

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