starr news spring 2013

STARRNEWS

R E S I D E N T I A L – C O M M U N I T Y- B A S E D – P R O F E S S I O N A L T R A I N I N G – E D U C AT I O N

SP

RIN

G 2

01

3 I V

OL

UM

E 7

0 N

O. 2

Inside:

PsychSystems Joins Starr

Starr Detroit Academy: Focus on the Future

Autism in Education

IMPACTING 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WORLDWIDE

C R E A T E P O S I T I V E E N V I R O N M E N T S W H E R E C H I L D R E N F L O U R I S H

Starr News Spring, 2013 Volume 70, No. 2

Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children.

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 and serves

children and families from locations in Albion, Battle Creek, Clinton Township, Detroit and Harper Woods , MI.;

Columbus and Van Wert, OH; and Lennox, S.D. The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site.

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

Kyle Caldwell, 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 & Administrative Services Officer;

Gary Q. Tester, MRC, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 [email protected]

Starr Detroit Academy

See Page 6

Contents

3 President’s Message

4 Autism in Education

6 Starr Detroit Academy

Focus on the Future

8 PsychSystems Joins Starr

11 Preparing the

21st Century Student

12 Alumni Spotlight

16 Unpacking the

Emotional Backpack

17 Spring Appeal Thank You

18 Honor and Memorial Gifts

19 Chaplain’s Message

STARRNEWS

Autism in Education

See Page 4

As we approach the completion of Starr Detroit Academy’s first year of

operation, it is worth reminding ourselves of why the educational side of Starr’s work

is so important to children, families and communities.

It is an unfortunate reality that in many of our communities there are shortcomings in

the provision of educational services. But in many cases, there is also a lack of services

that can address other challenges a child may be facing which can hinder their learning.

At Starr we constantly strive to ensure that children learning in our education settings

have their physical, emotional and social needs met. We know how difficult it is for

students to focus on their learning and development when they are living with trauma,

anxiety, a lack of belonging or hunger.

From our academy in Detroit to Montcalm School, our therapeutic boarding school in

Albion, and in our developmental programs throughout our sites, Starr employees look

out for the “emotional backpack” that can weigh a child down.

In addition to Starr’s strength-based approach, one of the keys to successfully

addressing such needs is having a broad range of experts on your staff.

Starr has long benefitted from well-qualified, experienced and passionate

professionals dedicating themselves to its cause.

Building on this strength, our recent acquisition of PsychSystems brings the

expertise of Alison Donigan and Gary Carone, who in 12 years built the company

into a highly respected provider of behavioral health and developmental disabilities

services, specializing in the delivery of home-based support.

The PsychSystems model of care holds enormous potential, and,

as part of Starr’s strategic plan to grow community-based services,

this acquisition is a significant leap forward for our organization.

We warmly welcome Gary and Alison to Starr and look forward

to working with them to increase the number of families who

can benefit from high-quality, tailored support, which is already

valued by over 1,300 clients across Michigan and Ohio.

In Starr’s 100th year of helping children and families flourish,

we are not only celebrating significant outcomes for those we

have served over the years, we are actively embracing new opportunities

and responding to change. This is essential as we aim to demonstrate the

importance of Starr’s core themes of resilience, trauma-informed care,

racial healing and education to more people and communities.

Thank you for your continued support.

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D., President/CEO

3

4 C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S

AUTISM IN EDUCATION

School is a safe environment where children have the opportunity to learn, are encouraged to explore and are supported in their interests, while at the same time connecting with peers, making friends and becoming social outside of their family unit.

For children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), now estimated by Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy

organization, to affect 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys, the traditional school environment is all too often not the

supportive, academically challenging or socially accepting atmosphere these children need. As the population

of children with ASD grows,

the challenges and oppor-

tunities facing educators

are greater than ever.

In a recent interview with

SEEN Magazine, Dr. Temple

Grandin, a world-renowned

author, professor and

autism advocate who was

diagnosed with autism

as a child, stresses the

importance of focusing on

children’s strengths. For

a child who struggles in

reading and excels in math

or art, Grandin suggests giving that child the tools to pursue his or her advanced

studies in math or art while working to maintain or improve reading provides the

child with the flexibility and creativity to continually feel challenged.

Supporting and expanding on the interests of a child with ASD is crucial as well.

Children with ASD often fixate on things, whether it be trains, planes, or, like in

Grandin’s case, animals. A child may repeatedly draw, talk or play with the same

item. Expanding a child’s fixation, encouraging them to draw other animals that


Montcalm School’s Outside In program features small sensory areas in classrooms for students who feel the need to calm or relax themselves.

5C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S 5C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S

would live in the same habitat or including train tracks and a landscape in their drawing, for example, will

develop their abilities and focus.

Increasingly classrooms are being designed to support children with ASD. Montcalm School, a private

therapeutic residential program of Starr Commonwealth, features small sensory areas in the classrooms

for students with ASD in its Outside In program to utilize when they feel the need to calm, relax or alert

themselves. Providing students the ability to identify their sensory needs and address them can prevent

behavior from escalating.

Public schools are realizing the need and in some cases responding with early elementary programs for

ASD students. Gary Carone, MS, LLP, LMSW, BCBA – one of the co-founders of PsychSystems, a new

department of Starr – who is Board Certified in Applied Behavior Analysis, has contracted with school districts,

which includes working with teachers to identify activities for this population of students and designing

classrooms conducive to learning.

As the prevalence of youth diagnosed with ASD continues to rise, the need for services, programs and

professionals to support them is evident.

“Students with autism spectrum disorders can absolutely be successful in traditional classroom

settings,” Carone said. “But teachers need to be aware of how to respond to these students who may

require a different kind of attention. Through gaining knowledge of this growing population, educators

can help these students get on the path to reaching their potential.”

For more information on autism spectrum disorders, visit www.starr.org/autism.

Parents and caregivers have a seemingly countless number of schools available, but many struggle with

where to send their children due to poor statistics surrounding graduation rates and college readiness.

According to Detroit Public Schools, its graduation rate has hovered around 60 percent for the last few years.

Other cities in Michigan and across the U.S. have similarly low rates of graduation, causing parents to seek

alternatives to traditional public schools.

Victoria Thomas, who has four grandchildren attending Starr Detroit Academy, has been unsatisfied by

her experience with public schools in Detroit of late.

“Education in Detroit is not

where it used to be,” Thomas

said. “I came from Detroit

Public Schools and I sent

my kids there, but it’s just

a different world than it

used to be.”

This frustration led her to

learning more about Starr

Detroit Academy, which is

in its first year of operation,

at a kindergarten roundup.

She said the focus on

college preparation and

the highly accessible staff

have renewed her faith

in Detroit schools.


STARR DETROIT ACADEMY STUDENTS AREFOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

The educational system in the United States has been struggling to accomplish quality outcomes for many years, particularly in large metropolitan areas like Detroit.

“My experience with Starr Detroit

Academy has been great,” Thomas

said. “The staff is always willing to help

because education is the No. 1 priority

at the school. They greet the students

with a handshake every morning, so

the structure is there. It’s just a great

environment all around.”

The academy is dedicated to the

mission of preparing students for

academic mastery, college, work and life.

Thomas believes this is what makes

Starr Detroit Academy a special place.

“A lot of kids in the inner city don’t

know much if anything about college,”

Thomas said. “These kids aren’t thinking past 12th grade. In today’s world kids need to be preparing for college

early and striving to be the best they can be. It’s really important for kids to learn about college at a young

age and learn that this should be a goal, a goal they can achieve if they’re willing to work at it.”

From staying after school and helping students who need more attention to calling each child’s parents for

updates on student progress, Thomas said Starr Detroit Academy teachers go above and beyond. This, along

with the focus on college, has made her a strong advocate for the school.

“My grandchildren come home all the time talking about college and singing school fight songs because of

the college-themed classrooms at the school,” Thomas said. “They are already thinking about college and what

they want to do with their lives. That’s a special thing to hear as parent or grandparent. You always want what’s

best for your kids, and the academy reinforces all of the goals I talk to my grandchildren about every day.”

“My grandchildren come home all the time talking about college and singing school fight songs because of the college-themed classrooms at the school.”

- Victoria Thomas, grandmother of four SDA students

7C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S

College banners are displayed in the Starr Detroit Academy cafeteria, promoting the

school’s mission to prepare all of its students for post-secondary education.

PSYCHSYSTEMSJOINS STARR

One of the most pronounced trends in the human services field is the shift toward community-based services,which respect the fact that treating children and families in their familiar surroundings is generally preferred to taking them into residential care.

Starr’s acquisition of PsychSystems, a highly respected

provider of in-home behavioral and mental health services,

is a major advancement of the organization’s strategy to grow

its community-based services. This also means that Starr is

able to take its strength-based approaches to more

people in need of developmental support.

Since being founded in 2001 by Alison Donigan and Gary

Carone, PsychSystems has provided in-home psychological

assessments, testing and therapy for individuals and groups,

serving both children and adults in Michigan and northern Ohio.

PsychSystems specializes in helping people with develop-

mental disabilities and mental illness.

Dr. Martin L. Mitchell, president and CEO of Starr, said: “We are

delighted to have PsychSystems join Starr. This move will enable

Starr to help many more children and families flourish. PsychSystems has had great success in working with

contracted professionals to reach its current case load of nearly 1,300 clients across several counties in Michigan

and Ohio, and brings rich experience, fresh expertise and access to new client groups to Starr. We now look

forward to building on this to reach many more people in need of quality, person-centered services.”

Gary Carone, co-founder of PsychSytems, said: “Joining Starr will mean we can continue to grow the reach

of PsychSystems’ services while maintaining the excellent standards our current clients have come to expect.

We know there is much demand for in-home and community-based services in areas such as mental health,

behavioral health, autism and other neurological conditions. Our model has delivered excellent results for

our clients, and we see Starr’s extensive experience in meeting the developmental needs of children and

families as exactly what we need to help us reach even more people who currently don’t have access

to such high-quality services.”

“ PsychSystems brings rich experience, fresh expertise and access to new client groups to Starr.” - Dr. Martin Mitchell, President and CEO of Starr


PsychSystems office is located at 35640 Michigan Ave.

West in Wayne, Mich

For Starr this represents a response to changes in how people want to receive services, changes in

how human services are funded and the need for Starr to operate in new ways as a leader in its field.

The services provided by PsychSystems are often covered by private healthcare plans or Medicaid,

while Starr’s longstanding programs are not covered by such funding in Michigan.

While PsychSystems is now a division of Starr, the people it serves will see no change to the high-quality

experience they’ve come to know. Therefore PsychSystems will retain its current identity and continue

to serve its clients just as it has for the last 12 years.

Starr welcomes Gary and Alison of PsychSystems to the organization, which continues its mission

of creating positive environments where children and families flourish.

Looking back on where we have been and what we have accomplished

over these past 11 years brings back many memories of where we were

and how we got to be a division within Starr Commonwealth.

My career has always been in the area of providing help to those

people who I believe need it most. People with developmental

disabilities, chronic mental illness or serious emotional disturbances

are frequently underserved by professionals in the system. I have

always felt that these people deserve the best treatment the system

has to offer, and this is what led me to work in this field.

Approximately 12 years ago, Alison Donigan and I started PsychSystems

to allow us to provide a range of services to people with developmental

disabilities who were served in the Community Mental Health system. We were the first company of our type to do

this – in the past the agencies themselves hired and maintained a staff of professionals to help.

We quickly saw that our methods could not only provide the publicly funded agencies with the financial

flexibility they needed, but we could provide services that could help our community-based clients lead better

lives in their community-based placements. We grew from one contract and 10 total therapists in a converted

storage room office to nine contracts and 30 contractors in our own building in Wayne. Looking back it is

hard to see where the time went, but we are proud of what we have accomplished in a relatively short time.

Joining forces with Starr Commonwealth was the logical next step in our efforts to provide our service

model to more people. Starr’s commitment to people, the organization’s desire to do the right thing and help

those who are less fortunate was a perfect match.

In our model we provide outreach, home-based services to adults, children and families who have behavioral

concerns. Working with Starr will allow us to provide the same type of outreach services to many more people

in many more places. I can’t think of a better future – two groups of caring, competent staff now joined

together to create better lives for the people we serve.

We could not have been more fortunate than to join Starr Commonwealth, and we expect that

we will have a productive future. – Gary Carone, co-founder of PsychSystems


Gary Carone and Alison Donigan of PsychSystems

When our supportdwindles, so doher chances.

Since 1913, Starr has relied on supporters

like you to help children reach their potential.

Today, we still need your help. More children

and families are requiring more intensive

support. This, coupled with a decrease in

government funding, is putting a significant

strain on Starr’s resources. At Starr, we’re

committed to securing brighter futures for

children and families for the next 100 years.

That’s why we’re looking for 2113 donations

by December. With your help, Starr can

provide services for another 100 years to the

children and families who need it most.

Please give today.

starr.org

As of March, we’ve received 120 donations for this campaign

Our goal is to receive 450 donations by July 2013

December 2013 - Goal to receive 2113 donations in honor of serving children, families and communities for another 100 years


PREPARING THE 21ST CENTURY STUDENT

Dr. Terance Lunger,

Superintendent of the

Calhoun Intermediate

School District

We are living in a world where more things than ever are possible and fewer things than ever are guaranteed. As educators and service providers, we need to ask ourselves what we need to do to ensure that the students who are entrusted to our care have the greatest chance of success.

One of the most promising opportunities is competition afforded us by the global-

ization of our economy. We can no longer, as individuals or as a society, operate

in isolation. We are a nation known for rising to any challenge set before us. To best

compete in a global economy, we need to better understand 21st century students

and the world in which they operate, as well as the adult’s role in helping them

be most successful.

Our students will live and work in a world that is fundamentally different than that

of their parents, teachers and mentors. They will thrive on change whereas adults tend to resist change.

Our youth can expect to have multiple careers in their lifetime in contrast to having dedicated

a lifetime of work in a particular job.

In our global economy, youth will need post-high school education or training. They will need to be in

a state of constant preparation as new trends and opportunities arise. Along with this they will need to be

knowledgeable and curious about our world regions and global issues. To be successful our students

will need to be able to communicate across various cultures and even, possibly, in other languages.

In 1965 Intel Founder Robert Moore coined the phrase, “technology (chip) speed would double every 18 months

and cost half as much.” A key characteristic of a strong and vibrant society is the ability to adapt to the fast-

paced changes around us. It is crystal clear with many unfortunate examples, “that when the rate of change

on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is clearly in sight.”

How do we as educators, mentors, leaders and parents adjust our thinking to meet the needs of our students?

By acknowledging that we do need to make changes in our thinking and embrace it, and work to understand

the ever-evolving students we serve. We will then know that we are on the path of true educational reform

and offering the best educational opportunity for our students. Our goal should be to always monitor and to

assure that the rate of change on the inside always outpaces the rate of change on the outside.

A key characteristic of a strong and vibrant society is the ability to adapt to the fast-paced changes around us.

continued on page 14

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

At 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, James Kelly has an intimidating physical presence and possesses supreme athletic ability. Couple that with an opportunity to play Division I college basketball at the University of Miami, and you have a young man with every reason to be arrogant and boastful.

But the 19-year-old Starr Commonwealth alumnus is anything but conceited.

“I’m just really happy to be in the position I am,” Kelly said. “I’m grateful to everyone

who has helped me get to where I am today.”

The themes of humility and hard work are what have led Kelly to his present-day

situation. But his road to success has been difficult, with some bumps along

the way. Growing up in Ann Arbor, Mich., Kelly had to overcome several obstacles.

“Life was hard growing up,” Kelly said. “I struggled, and I hung out with a lot of negative people.

It just wasn’t a very good spot to be in.”

Upon coming to Starr, Kelly’s outlook changed dramatically. He began to learn life skills, such as responsibility,

maturity and the ability to effectively communicate.

“I learned a lot at Starr, but one of the most important things was learning how to ask for help,” Kelly said.

“So many staff impacted me and helped me while I was there.”

Kelly developed a special connection with one staff member in particular, Senior Clinician Kristi Wichmann.

“She helped me so much as the group leader,” Kelly said. “She put her foot down when she needed to,

helping to keep me straight, and she taught me to be more responsible. I learned to believe in myself at Starr,

which has helped me a lot since leaving the program.”

Wichmann pushed Kelly to work harder, promoting accountability in and out of the classroom, potential

she said he has always possessed but not necessarily harnessed.

“I learned a lot at Starr, but one of the most important things was learning how to ask for help.” - James Kelly


Senior Clinician Kristi Wichmann

is pictured here with

Starr alumnus James Kelly.


“James has always had leadership potential, but he had to be taught how to utilize it,” Wichmann said.

“At Starr he developed into one of our group leaders and was very well liked by the other students.”

When Kelly exited Starr’s program in 2008, he returned to Ann Arbor and attended Ann Arbor Pioneer

High School. With a renewed dedication to academics, Kelly made graduating and moving on to college

his No. 1 priority, while his basketball career began with little fanfare.

“I didn’t start playing basketball until my junior year in high school,” Kelly said.

“I never really played before that, but I realized I liked playing and it proved to be

a good outlet when I was stressed out. I just went in the gym and took some

shots, tried to relax a little bit.”

But his basketball career didn’t remain unassuming for long. In his first game,

Kelly scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, ending any hope he had to remain anonymous.

The spectacular play continued -- as did his focus on education -- and after graduating from high school

in 2011, Kelly enrolled at Owens Community College near Toledo, Ohio and joined the basketball team.

In his freshman season at Owens, Kelly averaged 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, garnering Second

Team All-Conference honors. This season, as a sophomore, Kelly improved even further, boosting his

scoring and rebounding totals to 18.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was

named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American

Second Team, the first player from Owens to achieve the feat in 13 years.

“I’ve worked really hard on basketball, hoping to get offers to play at larger

schools,” Kelly said. “It’s been fun seeing all of my hard work pay off.”

Receiving numerous offers to play Division 1 basketball, Kelly ultimately chose the University of Miami,

where he will be coached by Jim Larranaga, named The Associated Press Coach of the Year for 2012-13.

Kelly has worked diligently in the classroom as well and will graduate with his associate degree this year.

To help pay for school at Miami, Kelly will be receiving scholarships, including support from Starr.

“It was a hard decision to make (where he will attend college next year),” Kelly said. “But the coaches from

Miami were really concerned with academics, and I liked that they were focused on school.”

Criminal justice will be Kelly’s area of study at Miami, something with which he has always had an interest.

But he will ride the wave of basketball for as long as it takes him.

“I’ve always wanted to be a cop,” Kelly said. “I’m focused on getting better at basketball, so I’ll have to see

where that goes. But I want to help people.”

For Kelly paying it forward is extremely important. Many others, like Wichmann, have helped Kelly achieve

some of his goals, and he wants to return the favor.

“His future is so bright if he can stay on this path,” Wichmann said. “I am so proud of what he has accomplished.

I get very emotional about it as this is what you dream of for each child who enters the program. I plan on

attending some of his games in Miami or one closer (to Michigan) if possible.”

With Kelly’s positive attitude and excellent work ethic, he has a great chance to create a long-term success story. Just don’t expect him to do much bragging when he does.

“James has always had leadership potential, but he had to be taught how to utilize it.” - Kristi Wichmann

SAVE THE DATE!

CELEBRATE STARR’S 100 YEARS OF SERVING

CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND

COMMUNITIES BY JOINING

US ON FOUNDER’S DAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013, ON THE ALBION CAMPUS.

Go to www.starr.org for more information.


continued from page 11

The Calhoun Intermediate School District is an Educational

Service Agency serving over 25,000 students in Calhoun

County, Mich., including the students of Starr Common-

wealth’s Albion campus. We are a proud partner with Starr

and look forward to serving our students there, preparing

them for a 21st century global economy.

Dr. Terance Lunger is the superintendent of the Calhoun

Intermediate School District. He has held several administrative

positions throughout the state of Michigan, including in

the Jonesville, Western, New Lothrop and Greenville School

Districts. He is a passionate advocate on behalf of the

students, teachers and families he serves in Calhoun County

and throughout the region.

Help them take their learningto a higher level.

Starr Commonwealth Scholarship ProgramSince 1978, we’ve provided 938 Starr graduates the opportunity to pursue

higher education through the Starr Commonwealth Scholarship Program.

Created in 1977 with the estate of former trustee Thomas Lloyd, the scholarship

program provides financial assistance for those students in “good academic

standing” who want to take their education to the next level. Last year,

57 students were awarded over $250,000 in fund assistance, however, total

requests averaged over $370,000. Your generous donation will help us

continue to provide scholarships to students who want to reach even higher.

Please donate today.To learn more about how you can contribute to the Starr Commonwealth

Scholarship Program, please contact Sherie Veramay, Director of Development,

at 800.837.5591 or [email protected].

UNPACKING THEEMOTIONAL BACKPACK

For Hetty Colver, this is the first step to students prospering in the classroom. She believes addressing the emotional challenges students face and providing them with opportun-ities to increase their academic confidence is what makes Starr Commonwealth’s educational services different from a traditional public or private school experience.

Colver, who is employed by Calhoun Intermediate School District (CISD), serves

as principal and special education supervisor for Starr’s public residential

program in Albion, Mich.

Students arriving at Starr’s residential campus have faced many significant

challenges in their lives, often resulting in poor academic performance.

“Many of the kids who come to Starr are disenfranchised with the idea of school,”

Colver said. “Our goal is to work with the co-occurring challenges surrounding school, like the issues students

may have been dealing with at home. Our teachers become important members of the treatment team,

working directly with the clinicians and other staff members.”

Colver said the teachers are exceptional at working with Starr’s

population of youth because they are passionate advocates for

student success and have a broad range of expertise.

“All of our teachers are highly qualified in all core subject areas,”

Colver said. “They are also certified to work with students with emotional

impairments. This becomes crucial to the treatment process, and it

allows the teachers to better understand how education can fit under the

treatment umbrella.”

The CISD operates Starr’s school program, which functions as closely

to a public school as possible. The school is aligned with and follows

the Michigan Department of Education regulations, meeting the same

requirements of a regular school. This allows students to transfer

credits back to their home school when they leave the program.

Starr’s residential program allows students to trans-fer credits back to their home school when they leave.


Students are also afforded the

opportunity to take appropriate

grade-level tests, like the Michigan

Educational Assessment Program

(MEAP) test, the Michigan Merit Exam

and the American College Testing

(ACT) standardized test.

While the educational aspect of

Starr’s program operates like a tradi-

tional public school, students may

have a difficult time applying the

skills they learn at school outside

of the classroom. For this reason,

the CISD, in conjunction with the

teachers and administration, pursued

a grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to develop and provide authentic learning

experiences embedded in the curriculum. The grant initially funded photography, culinary and gardening programs.

“These programs allow our kids to apply their new skills in practical ways,” Colver said. “For example, a student

might be using culinary skills in a science or math class. I heard one student taking photos say, ‘Wow, maybe

I could do this as a job when I leave Starr.’ It’s fun to hear things like that, things that get these kids excited

about school and what education can do for their futures.”

The programs are currently sustained through Title 1, Part D grants that must be

applied for each year through the state of Michigan.

Seeing academic improvement is wonderful, Colver said, but it is only one piece

of creating a brighter future for Starr students. When students leave with their own

goal to learn and pursue their education, she believes that is true success.

“I love that our program addresses the educational side of things, of course,”

Colver said. “But it’s so important to be involved in the treatment process. In a residential facility, we have

a really unique opportunity to connect with these children on a deeper level than in a normal school setting.

When students gain confidence and truly begin to see that they can achieve greatness, that’s the most

rewarding thing for anyone who works in education.”

“I heard one student taking photos say, ‘Wow, maybe I could do this as a job when I leave Starr.’” - Hetty Colver

THANK YOU to supporters of Starr Commonwealth’s

March appeal. Your generosity enables

Starr to help children and families

reach their potential.


HONOR/MEMORIAL GIFTS

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. When

sending an honor gift, please provide

the address of the honoree. We will

send an acknowledgment card to

let them know of your thoughtful-

ness, but we won’t mention the gift

amount. You may call in your honor

gift for faster acknowledgment at:

800.837.5591. 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 Common-

wealth. When sending a memorial

gift, please provide the address of

a family member of the deceased to

whom we can send an acknowledg-

ment card. We will let them know

of your thoughtfulness but won’t

mention the gift amount. You may

call in your memorial gift for faster

acknowledgment at: 800.837.5591.

Memorial donations also may be

made online at: www.starr.org.

Here is a listing of Honor and Mem-

orial gifts received from 1-19-13 to

4-9-13. Donors are listed below the

name of the person in whose memory

or honor they contributed. Gifts not

listed here will appear in a future

issue of Starr News. If we missed your

name or an error has occurred with

your listing, please forgive us and

contact us so we may correct it

in the next issue.

IN HONOR OF:

JACK KEENAN

Ms. Caelan Kuban

MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL MANN

Mr. Craig Lapine

WILLIAM STEELE

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin G. Chapman

IN MEMORY OF:

MILDRED ANDERSON

Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness

PATRICIA L. ANDERSON

Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell


ROBERT C. ARMSTRONG

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Domingo



LOVELLA BARHITE

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Barhite

MARGARET S. BASSAGE

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cook

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Rewa

Mrs. Fran Weberling

ERMA BULGRIN


MARVIN L. COLNESS

Mrs. LaVerne I. Colness

VINCENTE DE OLIVEIRA


THOMAS DOBBINS



FREDERIC J. DRISCOLL JR.


PATRICIA L. ENDRESS

Mr. Richard B. Endress

CONCETTA FALCONE

Mr. John Falcone

CATHERINE HEINLEN

Dr. George H. Lauff

ALBERTA HENDERSON


JUSTIN JACKOWICZ

Mr. and Mrs. Marion J. Jackowicz

GEORGE J. LAUFF

Dr. George H. Lauff

MARY ANNA LAUFF

Dr. George H. Lauff

JESSIE LONGHURST

Mrs. Evelyn Gay

PATTI PAKNEY

Mrs. Jean Pakney

CLARA MAXINE PATTERSON

Mr. Richard A. Patterson

HAROLD AND ARLENE SEIFERT

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mulnix

HELEN SMITH

Mrs. Arleen H. Sattler

MARY KAY SMITH

Dr. George H. Lauff

E. KATHLEEN “KAY” WEYERS


GREG WILKINSON



Chaplain Ken Ponds

The theme for this Starr News is a familiar one – education. While not stated

specifically in the Starr Commonwealth Creed, or later in Starr’s Core Values, education

has played, and continues to play, a pivotal role in the work of Starr Commonwealth.

Floyd Starr’s strong faith allowed the saying found in the book of Proverbs 22:6 to

serve as a guideline for this new thing he was creating outside of the town of Albion,

“Raise up a child in the way (s)he should go; even when (s)he is old (s)he will not

depart from it.” As a person reads either the Creed or the Core Values, some of

the educational ideas expressed are the following:

• When provided an environment of love and activity, a child will be good

• Given suitable work, a child can be taught the value of labor

• Self-expression can be learned through play

• Physical, mental, moral and spiritual development when

combined together allows a child to grow

• A young person’s ambition must be stimulated and developed

• Problems are opportunities to grow and develop

• Emphasizing the dignity of all people through the “oneness

of humankind”

• Helping children and their families develop positive relationships

• Incorporating the principles of “servant leadership” in what

we do at Starr

• Providing opportunities for children and families to reach

their full potential through spiritual growth

As we move into the future, not only will Starr continue

to follow these ideas, but Starr will continue to seek other

ideas in which to provide the best possible education

for the young people and families we serve.

CH

AP

LAIN

’S M

ES

SA

GE

The IRA Charitable Rollover Is Back for 2013!

The charitable IRA rollover legislation allows you to transfer lifetime

gifts up to $100,000 using funds from your individual retirement account

(IRA) without undesirable tax effects. Call Sherie Veramay, Director

of Development, at 800.837.5591, email [email protected]

or visit www.starr.org/givingtostarr.

Officers

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

Wm. Chuck Jackson, MAExecutive Vice PresidentChief Program Officer

Christopher L. Smith, BBA., CPAExecutive Vice PresidentChief Financial Officer

Elizabeth A. Carey, MSWExecutive Vice PresidentChief Strategy Officer

Gary Q. Tester, MRCExecutive Vice PresidentChief Development Officer

Board of Trustees

Kyle Caldwell, ChairProgram DirectorCharles Stewart Mott FoundationFlint, MI

Honorable John Hallacy, Vice ChairDistrict Court Judge10th District CourtBattle Creek, MI

Tom Kolassa, SecretarySenior Vice President Hub InternationalBattle Creek, MI

Wally BakareVice President, OperationsTime Warner CableMid Ohio DivisionColumbus, OH

Scott BennettVice President UBS Financial ServicesBirmingham, MI

Craig CarrelPresident and PartnerTeam 1 PlasticsAlbion, MI

Doug ClarkSenior Vice PresidentMasterworksPoulsbo, WA

Dr. Velma ClayDirector of Equal Employment Opportunity (Retired)Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal CenterBattle Creek, MI

Erick StewartPresidentStewart Industries LLCBattle Creek, MI

Gary TaylorOwnerTaylor Auto Sales Inc.Van Wert, OH

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

George WilsonGeneral AgentWilson Insurance ServicesGilbert Wiseman AgencyFlint, MI

Trustees Emeritus

Margaret Starr LeutheuserDaughter of Floyd StarrHaverford, PA

Michael J. GableHuman Resources ExecutiveOrlans Associates, PCTroy, MI

George D. GoodmanExecutive Director (Retired)Michigan Municipal LeagueAnn Arbor, MI

Dr. Russell G. MawbyChairman EmeritusW.K. Kellogg FoundationBattle Creek, MI

Honorable Eugene A. MooreChief Probate Judge (Retired)Oakland CountyPontiac, MI

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

Honorary Trustees

Anne Willson DupréGranddaughter of Floyd StarrToronto, Canada

Diana Starr LangleyMontecito, CA

Sylvia Starr RicheyGranddaughter of Floyd StarrSeal Beach, CA

President Emeritus

Arlin E. NessPresident EmeritusAnthem, AZ

Locations

Michigan: Albion, Battle Creek,Clinton Township, Detroit, Harper Woods Ohio: Columbus, Van Wert

South Dakota: Lennox

Joseph GesmundoCo-FounderAVB, Inc.Kalamazoo, MI Lawrence GivensBlackmond and Givens, Inc.Southfield, MI

George A. GoodmanYpsilanti, MI

Jack KresnakJournalist / Child AdvocateLivonia, MI

Michael LeachChief Financial OfficerNationwide InsuranceColumbus, OH

Dr. Pamela LemerandProfessorEastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI

Kenneth MillerChief Executive OfficerPrincipal PartnerMillennium Restaurant GroupKalamazoo, MI

Randy NeumannVice PresidentJ.F. Daley, Inc.San Antonio, TX

William C. RandsManaging PartnerSagres Partners, L.P.Grosse Pointe, MI

Cornelia RomanowskiEducatorShavertown, PA

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

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #975Lansing, MI

®

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd.

Albion, Michigan 49224

www.starr.org

www.starrtraining.org montcalmschool.org

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591

Address service requested

starr news spring 2013

Documents

starrnewsr e s i d e

t e p o s i t i v e

s e d p r o f e s s

e n t s w h e r e c

d r e n f

i o nspring

families worldwidec

n g e d u c