As a member of the American Bookseller Association, The Mitten Word Bookstore in Marshall, Mich. had a unique opportunity – to receive multiple books for the purpose of donating to local schools and educational programs to encourage young... Continue reading.
Detroit Students Tour Wayne State University
Earlier this month, students from Starr Commonwealth’s Youth Assistance Program (YAP) and Lincoln Park Public Schools had the opportunity to take a tour of Wayne State University. Funded by a grant from Wells Fargo, this trip opened up a dialogue... Continue reading.
Starr Receives Expedited Accreditation Through Council on Accreditation
Starr Commonwealth has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Upon review of Starr’s policies, procedures and programs over the past four years, COA’s peer review team recommended expedited... Continue reading.
Alumni Spotlight: Norman Nugent
Behind the wheel of a motorhome, Starr alumnus Norman Nugent heads north on Interstate 69 in northern Indiana, accompanied by his wife of 48 years, Evelyn. The couple is on the last leg of a five-month trek across the country in 2014, visiting... Continue reading.
Trauma Informed Care in a School Setting
It sounds so easy: take care of the student’s needs before trying to educate them… Practicing trauma informed care in a school setting is challenging. Some students have had years of being unsuccessful in school due to lifelong chronic stress... Continue reading.
Friends of Starr Donate Baskets to Students on our Albion Campus
Every year, Starr Commonwealth encourages our friends and family to give back during the holiday season. Some choose to adopt a family in need, while others make donations to nonprofit organizations that are near and dear to their hearts. This year,... Continue reading.
Thank You for Supporting Starr on Giving Tuesday!
Thank you to everyone who chose to lead with courage and support Starr Commonwealth this year for Giving Tuesday! We had friends from across the country lift their voices in support of Starr, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We were able to... Continue reading.
Post-Traumatic Growth & Resiliency Factors for Children and Adolescents
An overwhelming amount of distressing news and traumatic events are reported everyday in the media and online: natural and human-made disasters, mass shootings and interpersonal violence taking place in communities, schools, families and throughout... Continue reading.
You Can Help Starr Lead With Courage This Giving Tuesday
For the past several years, Starr Commonwealth has participated in Giving Tuesday – a global day of giving. Falling on November 27th, this day of generosity creates an opportunity for people to show their support for the organizations and causes... Continue reading.
Toxic Stress
Although some stress is normal and even healthy, toxic stress is not. Children who have experienced a trauma often feel helpless and hopeless and live in a constant state of worry and fear. This toxic stress negatively influences every aspect of the... Continue reading.
Celebrating 105 Years of Starr
This October, Starr Commonwealth celebrated 105 years of creating positive experiences for children, families and communities with a fundraising event at the Detroit Zoo’s Wildlife Interpretive Gallery. The open gallery was decorated with over... Continue reading.
The Most Important Factor in Your School Day is YOU
Lessons are aligned, supplies are ready and schedules are set, but of all the preparations you make each day, the most important factor in your school environment is YOU. Your attitude, energy level and ability to connect, notice and give feedback... Continue reading.
Consequences and Trauma Informed Care
Consequences provide an opportunity to learn and grow from our mistakes. They give us a chance to problem solve, model, teach, and practice ways to do better next time. The most effective consequences are natural consequences – events that... Continue reading.
The Power of Mindfulness in the Classroom
Notice your body. Lengthen your spine by sitting tall and straight. Feel your feet planted on the floor. Focus on your belly and imagine a balloon in that space. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nostrils, imagining the balloon inflating,... Continue reading.
The Power of Service with the Starr Alumni Association
The Starr Alumni Association has been an asset for former students for many years, providing not only a network but an emotional support system for our youth after they leave our programs. While planning our Alumni Cookout, we had the... Continue reading.
