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Inside:

Black History Month at Starr

A Look Back atInspiring Visitors

TLC and Diverse Children

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 S

STARR

STARR COMMONWEALTHWe Think The World of Kids

STARR

Contents

3 President’s Message

4 Black History Month

6 Alumni Spotlight

7 Chaplain’s Message

8 TLC Focus on Diverse Children

10 Goodness Made Visible

11 Commonwealthalia

12 Inspiring Visitors

15 Our First African

American Student

16 What is Glasswing?

17 Thank You

18 Honor/Memorial Gifts

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 Winter, 2012 Volume 69, No. 1Starr 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, Detroit, and Clinton Township, MI.; Van Wert,

and Columbus, 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;

Wm. Chuck Jackson, MA, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer; Christopher L. Smith, B.B.A., C.P.A.,

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

Chief Development Officer; Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy

& Administrative Services Officer.

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 517.629.5591 info@starr.org

Black History

Month at Starr

See Page 4

Inspiring visitors

See Page 12IMPACTING

1.3 MILL ION

CHILDREN

AND

FAMIL IES

WORLDWIDE

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

Starting this year and with this issue, we are beginning to theme

each quarterly edition of Starr News in a way that coincides with major

observances, celebrations or current events. We are looking forward to

developing content around one central theme and illustrating to you , our readers

and supporters, what that theme means to our organization.

In recognition of Black History Month, we have dedicated this newsletter to the occasion.

Understand, that for our organization we have many special events planned to observe

Black History Month with our staff and youth, but the appreciation for diversity does not

end with the month of February. We take great strides as an organization to be as diverse

as the children and families we serve, and we expect that all our people will represent

the core values we seek to live by: honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility

and fairness. Not just this month, but every day.

You will also notice that this first issue of the New Year has been redesigned.

We have been doing much work internally and externally to enhance

our image and bring a consistent look to the Starr Commonwealth

brand. What that means for you is simplicity and consistency

in the materials you receive from us. When you get something

from Starr, you will know it’s from us based on the high-

quality, professional look and the blue hue that is very much

Starr’s signature color.

Coming this year are three additional issues of Starr News

that will focus on foster care, back to school and the

traditional post-Founder’s Day wrap up. This is going to be

an exciting year as we prepare to kickoff the 100th anniversary

celebration in October, so stay tuned for information

regarding those festivities.

As always, the organization wishes to acknowledge

you for your continued support and friendship.

As we strive to be “Great by Choice,” we recognize

we couldn’t do it without you.

3

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The annual observation of Black History Month is about celebrating the

immeasurable impact African Americans have had on all aspects of society. At Starr Commonwealth, our staff works to show the importance of recognizing events

like Black History Month, while fostering programs deep-seated in cultural and racial

awareness throughout the year.

Today, Starr serves a large population of African Americans, among many other ethnicities. In fact, 62 percent

of children in Starr’s programs are African American. But in many cases, minorities living in underprivileged areas

do not have access to organizations like Starr and are at a higher risk to enter the criminal justice system.

According to a report by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charity for children and families, while African Ameri-

can children make up just 15 percent of the entire youth population in the U.S., 58 percent of youth admitted

to state prisons are African American. Minority children are also arrested at twice the rate of white youth.

Reasons for this disparity between population size and involvement in the criminal justice system include the

social and economic situations in which many minority youth live, as well as the housing, educational and

employment segregation that still exists today.

Within the foundation’s report, it also indicates that minorities who have access to education, life skills training

and early intervention programs are statistically just as likely as white individuals to refrain from committing

crimes and find gainful employment.

One of Starr Commonwealth’s goals is to be a leader in the destruction of racial obstacles that prevent African

Americans and other minorities from achieving their dreams. Cultural competency is embedded in Starr’s

treatment philosophy, and a loving and accepting environment is the goal of each program.

But youth are not the only beneficiaries of Starr’s dedication to promoting equality. With programs like Glasswing

through the Starr Institute for Training, which features a two-day racial healing seminar, Starr employees learn

the value of seeing others as members of the human family rather than the societal, cultural and racial divisions

man has created.

“Through my experiences in racial healing, I have come to realize that abuses of power, dehumanization and

acts of superiority are among the greatest threats we face as a society,” said Martin L. Mitchell, President & CEO

of Starr Commonwealth. “The insidiously devastating disease of racism separates and isolates us as human

beings, and the only cure is to heal as one family. Having experienced the power of the healing process,

and having accepted the reality of the oneness of the human family, I have great hope for the future despite

the many dehumanizing events etched into my consciousness every day.

4

ONE OF OUR GOALS

IS TO BE A LEADER

IN THE DESTRUCTION

OF RACIAL OBSTACLES

THAT PREVENT...

THE HUMAN FAMILY

FROM ACHIEVING

ITS DREAMS.

Other organizations have realized the value of

Glasswing as well by participating in the program,

keeping Starr on the cutting edge in the battle to

break down racial barriers and divides.

With increasingly challenging situations facing

children and families worldwide, the need for Starr’s

services is greater than ever before. More children

are coming from difficult family circumstances as

a result of socioeconomic instability. At Starr, we see

something good in every child. With that approach,

it is apparent that with access to a quality education,

a stable environment and positive relationships,

children of all backgrounds can flourish.

5

From setting records as a star high school and college athlete to being stationed in Alaska,

Japan and the Philippines as a member of the U.S. Navy, Starr Commonwealth alumnus Stan Allen has become

quite the success while experiencing a myriad of events.

Allen, a Detroit native, has also lived in California, where he spent a number of years as District Manager

for Wal-Mart and Payless Shoe Stores. He is currently a Technical Project Manager for Wells Fargo & Co.

and resides in Clive, Iowa with his wife, Patricia.

He is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and the founder and owner of Transition Bodyworks. Allen holds

certifications in numerous healing arts and is a Reiki Master, a prominent position as a practitioner

of the Japanese art of healing.

But if there is one thing Allen credits with pointing his life in the right direction, it was the time he spent at Starr.

“I couldn’t have done any of the things that I’ve done in my life without the

guidance of those at Starr Commonwealth,” Allen said. “It took me a while

initially to allow the ideas to sink in. When I first got there, you couldn’t tell

me anything because I didn’t want to listen.”

Allen, who was at Starr from 1970-74, said the staff was patient and although

his behavior was questionable at times, he was surprised at how dedicated

and caring those at Starr were.

“I was a knucklehead when I got there,” Allen said. “But in spite of my initial attitude, the staff was willing

to try and make an effort with me. For that, I am so grateful.”

Because Allen says his time at Starr changed his life, he is a regular donor, something he feels necessary

to give others a chance to better themselves as he did.

6

Alumnus Stan Allen with Marty Mitchell

If there is one thing

Allen credits with

pointing his life in

the right direction,

it was the time he

spent at Starr.

continued on page 9

ALUMNI

7

The Potter’s Hand

As I prepare the Worship Service for this Sunday, I am listening to a song that I have

come to love over the years, “The Potter’s Hand,” composed by Darlene Zschech.

In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, God instructs Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house.

There, Jeremiah observes the potter molding and shaping clay pots. Whenever the clay

would not take the shape the potter wanted, he would simply change his mind, start

over and form the clay into another shape.

God’s message to the people through Jeremiah was that He has a vision in His mind

as to how people should live their lives, not only as individuals but also as a nation.

People struggle with God’s vision, often rebelling against it. So, He reminds them that just

as the potter has power over the clay to reshape and mold it, God has the power over

people to do the same. He could simply destroy the

people and start over if He chose to, but this is not

His desire. God’s desire is to shape and mold them

into the people He envisions them to be.

In Zschech’s song, she is asking the Lord to mold,

shape, fill and use her as He would. She is placing her

life into God’s hands. For so many who call upon

the Name of the Lord, regardless of their religious

affiliation, this is a common prayer – to have the faith

to place ourselves in God’s hands to be molded,

shaped, filled and then used by Him to make a difference

in the world. Speaking for myself, I struggle with this,

as I believe many people do. It not only takes faith, but trust in God and the willingness

to allow Him to mold, shape and fill us, so that we can be used by Him.

During Black History Month we focus on women and men who have been able to do

this. They were not perfect people, but they were willing people who placed their lives

in God’s hands allowing God to mold, shape, fill and use them to make a difference in

the world – Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Bayard Rustin, Dick Gregory, A. Philip

Randolph, Fred Shuttlesworth, Ida B. Wells, Roy Wilkins, Malcolm X., Andrew Young,

Ralph Abernathy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Bill Cosby, Muhammad

Ali, Maya Angelou, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Louis Armstrong, Benjamin O. Davis,

Julian Bond, Stokely Carmichael and Rosa Parks to name a few. The list is long

and glorious of those who are known. But we also acknowledge those who

allowed God to use them whose names, except to their families and friends,

we may never know. Their message is quite simple: when you allow God to mold,

shape, fill and use you then nothing is impossible.

This is a message that so many of our youth need to hear. Not just our

youth of diverse racial backgrounds, but all of the youth served by Starr,

and youth throughout our nation and world.

Chaplain Ken Ponds

CH

AP

LAIN

’SM

ESS

AGE

It is important to understand that what we call “race” is actually a social

construct and not biologically determined. The categories of different races

were indeed created by humans centuries ago to explain their world and

have persisted over time in people’s minds. Nevertheless, race remains

a cultural reality, and clinicians need to be cognizant of the strengths and

needs associated with a client’s culture and heritage and to individualize

treatment accordingly. It is imperative that clinicians working with

youth not only acknowledge the clinical needs of diverse children,

but also expand their clinical expertise to meet those needs.

Though the clinical needs of all children should be individualized,

there are some cultural considerations that should be taken

into account when planning interventions for the treatment of

children of various ethnicities. Ethnicity influences beliefs

about mental health issues and overall clinical experience.

For example, coping mechanisms, symptomatology,

help-seeking behaviors and response to treatment are

often distinctively different for minorities. Perceptions

about healthy behavior, unhealthy behavior, what

is normal and what is not normal should be explored,

and therapeutic adjustments to interventions

should be made with each child in treatment.

Caelan Kuban,

Director of The National

Institute for Trauma and

Loss in Children

FOCUS ON CLINICAL NEEDS

Not only do minorities have different cultural expectations,

but they also have different clinical needs. As the minority population

of the country increases and as Starr Commonwealth seeks to provide more

clinical expertise to professionals internationally, it is important that we recognize

and prepare ourselves for the clinical needs of a broad range of youth.

8

TLC’s introductory course The Unique Needs of Children of Color touches on the broader needs of black and Latino

children in the United States, though many of the principles may be applied to children of other ethnic backgrounds.

For more information about TLC

and its online courses, including

The Unique Needs of Children of Color,

please visit www.starrtraining.org/tlc.

Alumni Spotlight continued

“There needs to be more places like Starr,” Allen said. “I realize not every less-fortunate kid has an opportunity

to go to a place like this, but those lucky enough should take advantage of that wonderful chance to change

their lives. It’s just very important to me to help with that cause.”

In 2008, Allen was honored by Starr with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his contributions,

both as a donor and as an ambassador for the organization. The award is given to alumni who embody

Starr’s principles and core values.

“When I got that news, I had mixed feelings,” Allen said. “I’m just an average guy. I didn’t really think

I deserved the recognition. I hadn’t been to Starr in a while, but when I came back, it was like I had déjà vu

and remembered all of the great people there. It was such a proud moment in my life.”

Allen believes his time at Starr has allowed him to flourish. But his definition of success, he says, might be

different from others.

“I feel like I’ve become a success because I’ve turned my life around,” Allen said. “I don’t have a ton of money,

so maybe not successful in that sense, but I am a contributing member of society and have a great family.

I look back on where I was as a kid, and being where I am now is definitely a successful place in my mind.”

For kids entering Starr’s programs for the first time, his message is simple:

“I would tell them not to look at Starr as a restrictive place or like you did something wrong,” Allen said.

“It’s the furthest thing from that. I would tell them that they have an opportunity to change themselves and

use that time to find out who they are and what they want out of life. I’ve taken advantage of that

opportunity, and I think it’s very important to help others do the same.”

9

When compared to the

mainstream population,

minorities have various

cultural expectations

and clinical needs that

require individualized

interventions.

GOODNESSMADE VISIBLE

Starr Columbus held its annual Goodness Made Visible fundraising

luncheon in November at the Confluence Park Restaurant.To demonstrate our global impact, President and CEO Martin L. Mitchell spoke

about the professional trainings taking place worldwide and the children and

families who are benefiting as a result of the Starr Institute for Training.

To demonstrate our local impact in the Columbus area, Executive Director of Starr Columbus, Okpara Rice,

spoke about the work being done in community-based, early intervention and prevention, residential and

mental health programs to help local at-risk youth and vulnerable families. The event also featured a variety

of speakers from the Starr organization, including foster parent Terri Scott, a MyPlace Independent Living

youth, and dedicated instructor Tony Brown.

As a result of the hard work of the Starr Columbus Development Board and staff, the luncheon raised

about $27,000 that will directly benefit local youth and programs.

Starr Columbus would like to recognize the following organizations for their sponsorship of the luncheon:

Gold sponsors Nationwide and Schottenstien, Zox and Dunn (now Ice Miller); Silver sponsors Bricker

and Eckler and Time Warner Cable: and Bronze sponsor Accenture.

Without the tremendous support of volunteers from our Development Board and these sponsors,

we would not be able to showcase the remarkable impact this organization is having locally.

Featured from left to right are

foster parents, the Scotts;

Development Board member,

Linda Flickinger; Executive

Director of Starr Columbus,

Okpara Rice; a MyPlace youth,

and President & CEO,

Marty Mitchell.

10

From November 1-6, 1939, Starr Common-

wealth enjoyed an extended visit from Dr. George

Washington Carver and his assistant Dr. Austin

W. Curtis of the Agricultural Research and

Experiment Station at the Tuskegee Institute.

Dr. Carver had been invited to visit the campus

and give a public lecture while traveling to the

Detroit area to be awarded the Theodore Roosevelt

Distinguished Service Medal. While on campus,

Dr. Carver stayed in the newly rebuilt Emily Jewell

Clark building in one of the first floor apartments,

which are now used for staff offices and storage.

Dr. Carver stayed in this apartment due to his

limited mobility and inability to navigate the stairs

of Gladsome Cottage. Uncle Floyd also wanted

Dr. Carver away from the main flow of traffic

to campus, which was regularly directed to

Gladsome Cottage.

During Dr. Carver’s stay, he took his noon and

supper meals in the cottages with the boys.

The informal talks he gave at these meals were

recorded and typed for the boys to read at a later

date. Topics ranged from parables of the Bible

to his agricultural research developments. Carver

gave a public speech in the Webster Auditorium,

which was attended by about 500 citizens

from the surrounding community.

Starr staff had requested Dr. Carver donate one

of his paintings for the Starr collection, but in

lieu of donating a completed painting previously

done, Carver sketched a pastel of Montcalm Lake

on the condition that the boys make a frame

for it. This pastel and frame now hangs in Starr’s

Brueckner Museum. Remarkably, most of Carver’s

paintings were displayed in a museum dedicated

to his art, which burned to the ground shortly

after it opened. The Brueckner painting is one

of a few which was not in the museum

at the time of the fire.

Upon return to Alabama, Carver and Uncle Floyd

continued to correspond until Carver’s death

in 1943. It had been his desire to return for another

visit to the Commonwealth but his health

never allowed it.

If you have a story to share with the

Starr Archives, please contact Amy Reimann

at 517.629.5591 or reimanna@starr.org.

COMMONWEALTHby Amy Reimann, Director of Archives

16

Left: Dr. George Washington Carver with Floyd Starr

at a Wilcox Cottage demonstration

Floyd Starr with

Dr. George Washington Carver

11

INSPIRING VISITORS

Throughout the years, Starr Commonwealth has been incredibly fortunate to host

many famous guests on our campuses who have helped celebrate some remarkable occasions. Each brought with them unique points of view and inspiring

messages while some had backgrounds of inequality, hostile environments and adversity.

Most importantly, each brought stories of strength and resilience.

In 1970, less than a decade after Starr’s first African American student joined the Albion campus, Starr hosted track

and field athlete, Jesse Owens as the Founder’s Day speaker. Owens served as a positive influence to youth in

treatment, having participated in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games returning to the States with four gold medals.

Two decades after hosting Owens, Starr brought in author Alex Haley as the

1990 Founder’s Day speaker. Haley brought with him a story of perseverance.

Enrolled in Alcorn State University at the young age of 15, Haley withdrew

from college two years later and began his 20-year enlistment with the Coast

Guard. After retirement, Haley pursued his writing career, which included

interviewing figures such as Miles Davis, Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali

and Sammy Davis, Jr., among many others. Haley published The Autobiography

of Malcolm X and Roots: The Saga of an American Family, for which he was

awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1977.

Founder’s Day in 1998 brought

to Starr a three-time heavy-

weight boxing champion and

humanitarian, the one and only

Muhammad Ali. A gold medal

winner like Owens, Ali won the

Light Heavyweight in the 1960

Summer Olympic Games. Through-

out his highly successful boxing

career, Ali faced much controversy

due to his alignment with the

Nation of Islam, this at a time

when mainstream America viewed

the group with suspicion.

12

Maya Angelou, a famous author and poet

who has been called, “America’s most

visible black female autobiographer,”

visited both Starr’s Albion and Van

Wert campuses. On October 5, 2003,

Angelou served as the Founder’s Day

speaker at Starr’s 90th Anniversary

celebration. In the fall of 2005, Angelou

joined guests, students and staff on

Starr’s Van Wert campus for the first

anniversary celebration of the opening

of the Montcalm School for Girls thera-

peutic boarding school on the Van Wert

campus. The program has since moved

to the Albion campus where all Mont-

calm School programs are operated.

More recently, Starr has been fortunate to host these speakers:

Victoria Rowell, actress, dancer and author served as guest speaker in 2009.

Rowell’s childhood was one that many Starr students and clients could relate

to as she grew up as a foster child. Rowell founded the “Rowell Foster Children

Positive Plan,” which provides emotional support and financial aid to foster

children. Rowell wrote, The Women Who Raised Me, a memoir on her life as a

foster child.

This past year brought Wes Moore,

author, businessman and U.S. Army

veteran to Starr’s Founder’s Day

celebration. Moore’s speech revolved

around his first book, The Other Wes

Moore, which chronicles the parallels

of his life and that of another Wes Moore. He said the book and his life

are about showing the importance of decisions and the influence others

have on those decisions. Moore stated, “Society is full of ‘others,’ but

you believe at Starr there is no such thing as a throw away. We are

products of our expectations, not our environment.”

These are just a segment of the group of influential visitors that

Starr has had the pleasure of hosting. We look forward to our 100th

anniversary starting this October and continuing throughout 2013

in anticipation of many more opportunities to celebrate the

students and alumni of Starr Commonwealth.

13

A great birthday gift.Here’s the perfect opportunity to honor a

student, alumni, foster child, foster parent or

Starr staff and tell the world of your support

for them and Starr Commonwealth. When

you reserve a commemorative brick, bench

or picnic table, you get to choose the Starr

campus – Albion or Columbus – where you’d

like it displayed. You also get to choose

the message you’d like engraved, and

your tax-deductible charitable contribution

will help our campuses remain beautiful,

comfortable and easily accessible for all.

Take a minute now to fill out the attached

order form below and own a piece of the walk.

Please return the form below along with payment to:

Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd., Albion, MI 49224

Official Order Form

Designate a Campus: __Albion Campus ___Columbus Campus

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Your Name Daytime Phone e-mail

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address City State Zip

Designation: ___Memoria ___Honor ___Chapel ___Employee ___Alumni

___4"x 8" Bricks (1 to 3 lines) at $100/each = _________

___8"x 8" Bricks (1 to 6 lines) at $200/each = _________

___Bench at $2000/each = _________

(1-4 lines; 25 spaces)

___Picnic Table at $1500/each =_________

(1-4 lines; 25 spaces)

Total Donation _________

Please bill my

___VISA ___MC ___AMEX ___Check enclosed

____________________________________________ Card #

____________________________________________ Expiration Date

Here’s the text for my engraving. Up to 15 characters per line including

spaces and punctuation. Use “&” for “and” to save space.

#1 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn#2 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn#3 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn#4 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn#5 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn#6 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Mr. & Mrs. Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss

15

AFRICAN AMERICANSTUDENT

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, racial tension was at a climax. African Americans across the U.S.

were experiencing the backlash from a country not yet ready

to change its cultural ideals.

For Dennis Murray, the first African American student at

Starr Commonwealth in 1963, it was a particularly difficult time.

“I grew up in Detroit and came to Starr Commonwealth in 1963 at age 13,” said Murray, now 62.

“Right off the bat, the other kids picked on me for being different. It was really tough.”

Murray attended Starr Commonwealth from 1963-65. Eventually, his growth – in stature

as well as emotionally – lessened the other boys’ cruelty as he got older.

“As I became one of the bigger, older kids, I got picked on less and less,” Murray said. “I tried not to let

it get to me, and I had to grow up faster than most because of my experience, as well as the demands

that the instructors and house parents had.”

Murray said the structure was exactly what he needed. From doing chores and going to school, he did

not have time to engage in negative behaviors.

“At the time, you look at it as someone being really hard on you,” Murray said. “But it was such a wonderful

thing to have experienced. I remember a lot of people who had positive impacts on my life.”

After leaving Starr, Murray attended Detroit Pershing High School, where he played football and

basketball. His 1967 basketball team won the state championship and is still recognized

as one of the best teams in the history of high school basketball in Michigan.

Upon finishing junior college in Iowa, Murray elected to attend Illinois State University to

play basketball for his high school coach, Will Robinson, who was the first African

American Division-I basketball coach.

Murray’s goal was to play professional basketball, but following a stint where he played in Belgium,

Murray decided he would return to school to get his degree.

“I wanted to eventually play in the ABA or NBA,” Murray said. “But because that wasn’t an option and

I was only a few credits short at Illinois State, I got my degree in business and accounting.”

Dennis Murray is pictured here on the cover

of the No Such Thing book and is above

Floyd Starr’s right shoulder

Continued on page 17

GLASSWING?

The Glasswing butterfly is a rare and delicate insect of South America with transparent wings. Rainforest ecologists use the

presence of this tropical gem as an indication of high habitat quality.

At Starr Commonwealth, we use the term Glasswing to define the lens through which we see each other clearly,

without color barriers or the distortion of prejudice. Glasswing is a program of the Starr Institute for Training,

in which we help participants transform the way they see the world and themselves.

Glasswing is a movement that connects and uplifts all of us, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or spiritual

tradition. During the past 10 years, thousands of people from organizations, businesses, universities and

communities have participated in the two-day racial healing seminar. During the process, their hearts and minds

are transformed as well as their thoughts about racism and what it means to be members of the human family.

Many participants have described the experience as life altering:

“WOW. This was awesome. I can’t explain the difference in my life in just two days. I needed this.”

“The experience left me drained, yet exhilarated. I left feeling that all hope is not lost. There is a purpose for

our lives and it goes much deeper than our jobs, our possessions, even our families.”

The racial healing initiative at Starr began in 1996, when a small group of administrators attended a

presentation by Nathan Rutstein, author of several books on racism. Starr leadership immediately decided to

commit resources to the task of weaving concepts and practices of racial healing into the organizational

culture, even adopting the Oneness of Humankind concept as a core belief. Since then, all Starr employees

are required to attend two-day sessions.

Starr also trains facilitators to conduct racial healing seminars

in their own organizations and communities across the country

and played a major role in establishing the National Resource

Center for Racial Healing.

If you are interested in learning more about the Glasswing experience,

including how you can become a facilitator, please visit

www.starrtraining.org/glasswing.

16

We thank you for your generous

spirit during Starr’s “Season

of Healing Hearts” campaign.

With your help, more than $57,000

was raised during the holiday

fundraising. Your gifts will allow us to continue helping change children’s hearts and

lives in our community-based programs, specialized residential services and our trainings

for professionals who work with youth.

17

First African American continued

Murray moved to California in 1976, where he still resides.

“In hindsight, it’s easy to say what a great experience Starr Commonwealth was,” Murray said. “If you would

have asked me about my time there in 1965, I would have said a lot of negative things. As a kid, you don’t see

the positive aspects of a lot of things.”

As the landscape at Starr Commonwealth has changed from one African American to children of many

ethnicities and backgrounds, cultural awareness has become increasingly important. Events like Black History

Month help to teach of the significant cultural and social impacts of minorities. To Murray, Black History Month

represents an opportunity to recognize the positive steps that African Americans have taken.

“I think Black History Month is a great opportunity to reflect but also to let people know that you can flourish

despite negative circumstances surrounding your life,” Murray said. “We can put the successes in the light and

really show people that no matter what you’re going through, you can be successful.”

Although it was a struggle at times, Murray’s experience at Starr Commonwealth opened the doors to many

opportunities that have allowed him to accomplish his goals. Murray’s evolution throughout his life helps to

prove the core belief of Starr Commonwealth Founder Floyd Starr: there’s no such thing as a bad child.

“I’ve had a great life,” Murray said. “I was blessed to have been a part of Starr Commonwealth, and it presented

so many great opportunities for me. I always used to tell my mother that I hated every minute of my time there,

but it truly was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Season of Healing Hearts

GIFTS

18

IN HONOR OF:

SUSAN L. BEAZLEY

Mrs. Sylvia S. Richey

ROBERTA B. CHANEY

Ms. Joan C. Mackley

ROBERT M. FAILING

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Raber

MR. AND MRS. M. S. GRANT

Mr. Gordon P. Grant

MR. AND MRS. MILES JONES

Mrs. Evelyn Jones

ROBERT B. JONES

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Perreman

MR. AND MRS. RONALD JONES

Mrs. Evelyn Jones

AMANDA ENGLE

Mr. Brian Engle

SHERI CHANEY JONES

Ms. Christy Farnbauch

Ms. Joan C. Makley

CAELAN K. KUBAN

Mrs. Bridget Keenan McElroy

JACK LITZENBERG

Mr. and Mrs. George Wilson

RUSSELL MAWBY

Mr. and Mrs. John Kresnak

MARCELLA MOOTZ

Miss Sara Lou Teets

Miss Anna Lee Teets

HOWARD AND EVELYN NIENABER

Mr. Leonard Nienaber

ARLIN E. NESS

Mr. and Mrs. George D. Goodman

JOAN STAUDT PRACY

Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Failing

SYLVIA S. RICHEY

Ms. Susan L. Beazley

DR. LINDA GIBSON-RODGERS

Ms. Sally Buxton

LANCE SATTERTHWAITE

Dr. Valerie Perdue

Mr. Caleb Donovick

MONTCALM SCHOOL STAFF

Dr. Joel Weinthal

IN MEMORY OF:

MIRIAM A. ABBOTT

Ms. Linda S. Balthaser

ANNIE C. Brady

Ms. Pregetha Brady

ROSALIND BRISCO

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Mason

MRS. OLIVIA CLEMONS

Mrs. Joy Ferguson

EDWARD S. COE

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Pettengill

Mr. Edward S. Coe, Sr.

HELEN CONROY

Dr. John M. Conroy

JEAN M. CROWE

Mr. Gregg B. Swindlehurst

ARLENE A. EDWARDS

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

Mr. Thomas J. Edwards

LLOYD S. EDWARDS

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

Mr. Thomas J. Edwards

PHYLLIS EDWARDS

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

VIRGINIA EDWARDS

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

Mr. Thomas J. Edwards

HAROLD HANSELMAN

Mr. Ben C. Morris

MARGARET HEIRMAN

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

HARRY HELWIG

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

EDWARD G. HOWE

Mr. and Mrs. Brian V. Howe

HAROLD AND MARY HURDLEY

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Dick

ELLEN MULRY KEENAN

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kuban

CHARLES W. AND ALMA M. LAFLEUR

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. LaFleur

JOHN TERRENCE LEACH

Mrs. Lucille Leach

RICHARD LECURU

Mrs. Martha Lecuru

JESSIE LONGHURST

Mrs. Evelyn Gay

R. BRADNER MEAD

Ms. Pam Davis

SHIRLEY MEADE

Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell

GLADYS AND GEORGE MESLER

Dr. Linda M. Muul

GEORGIA MESSERLEY

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edwards

Mr. Thomas J. Edwards

SYLVIA MORSE

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Morse

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 acknowledgement 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 acknowledgement 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 acknowledge-

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

acknowledgement 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 11/7/2011 to

1/13/2012. 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.

19

The Starr CommonwealthCharitable Gift Annuity. The more you give, the more you get back.A gift annuity is the win-win of charitablegifts. You get the satisfaction of knowingyou’re doing something important for the present and future children of Starr Commonwealth, and you’re guaranteed a stream of income for life!

Here’s how it works: You transfer cash, securities or other property to Starr to create your charitable gift annuity. Starr then pays you or the person you designate a fixed amount each year for life. You can receive a nice tax deduction for the year you create the gift annuity, and if you had donated appreciated property, you may save on capital gains tax. Among other benefits, part of your gift annuity is income tax free. Plus, the rates are based on age, so no health exams. When the gift annuity ends after your life, the remainingprincipal passes to Starr Commonwealth to benefit children in need.*

For a detailed, no obligation analysis of what your gift might mean to you and the children of Starr Commonwealth, please call the office of Planned Giving at 800.837.5591.

CARRIE RICE

Mr. and Mrs. Okpara Rice

GERALD "JERRY" ROBINSON

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davis

SAM AND RUTH SCHMITTLE

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Cameron

MARY SLAUGHTER

Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness

CHRISTOPHER SOUTHWICK, JR.

Mr. and Mrs. David Shirey

"UNCLE" FLOYD STARR

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Beard

STARR COMMONWEALTH AUXILIARY

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard P. Lucas

ELTA HELEN ARBER STARR

Mr. Michael R. Weaver

JAMES TAFT

Mrs. Rose Hathaway

THOMAS TOUPALIK

Mr. and Mrs. Melvin l. Boltz

BYRON J. WIGMAN

Mr. and Mrs. Brian V. Howe

LAURA WILLIS

Ms. Karen M. Fasheum

ANDREW ZANETTI

Mr. Frankie A. Zanetti

Names appearing in blue denote

gifts designated for Starr Columbus’

Hannah Neil Center.

Watch your gift grow. Do you work for a company that offers a matching gifts program? Or, are you retired from a matching gifts company? If so, you could double – maybe even triple – your gifts to Starr Commonwealth children simply by letting us know. Just ask your employer or former employer to provide you with the paperwork you need. Fill it out and send it to Attention: Development Office,Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road, Albion, MI 49224-9910. Thank you for caring!

Gift AnnuityRate Tables

(Single Life)

Age Rate

55 4.0

60 4.4

65 4.7

70 5.1

75 5.8

80 6.8

85 7.8

90+ 9.0

*not available in all states

13725 Starr Commonwealth Road

Albion, Michigan 49224

www.starr.org

Duplicate mailing?

Call (800) 837-5591

Address service requested

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #975Lansing, MI

Officers

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

Wm. Chuck Jackson, MAExecutive Vice PresidentChief Clinical Officer

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

Elizabeth A. Carey, MSWExecutive Vice PresidentChief Strategy and Administrative Services

Officer

Gary Q. Tester, MRCExecutive Vice PresidentChief Development Officer

Board of Trustees

Kyle Caldwell, ChairPresident and CEOMichigan Nonprofit AssociationLansing, MI

Michael Leach, Vice ChairChief Financial OfficerNationwide InsuranceColumbus, OH

Tom Kolassa, SecretarySenior Vice President Hub InternationalBattle Creek, MI

Honorable Eugene A. Moore, Immediate Past ChairChief Probate Judge (Retired)Oakland CountyPontiac, MI

Scott BennettVice President UBS Financial ServicesBirmingham, MI

Ralph J. BurrellPresident and CEO SymCon, Inc.Detroit, MI

Craig CarrelPresident and PartnerTeam 1 PlasticsAlbion, MI

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

Honorable John HallacyDistrict Court Judge10th District CourtBattle Creek, MI

Erick StewartPresidentStewart Industries LLCBattle Creek, MI

Gary TaylorOwnerTaylor Auto Sales Inc.Van Wert, OH

Bruce Vande VusseAttorneyFoster, 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. GableChief Operating OfficerHoward and HowardRoyal Oak, MI

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

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

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

Lawrence GivensBlackmond and Givens, Inc.Southfield, MI

George A. GoodmanYpsilanti, MI

H. Ronald GriffithPresident (Retired)Baker College of JacksonJackson, MI

Jack KresnakPresident and CEOMichigan’s ChildrenLansing, MI

Dr. Pamela LemerandProfessorEastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI

Albert LittleVice President and Business Development OfficerGreenleaf TrustKalamazoo, MI

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

Jon A. Rhoades Vice President (Retired)Central Mutual InsuranceVan Wert, OH

Cornelia Romanowski Educator Shavertown, PA

Ahmad E. SinnoChief Information OfficerBricker & Eckler LLCColumbus, OH

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, Detroit, Clinton Township

Ohio: Van Wert, Columbus

South Dakota: Lennox

www.montcalmschool.orgwww.starrtraining.org