winter 2012 starr news
DESCRIPTION
Starr News winter 2012 edition.TRANSCRIPT
WI
NT
ER
20
12
I
VO
LU
ME
69
NO
.1
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected].
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