People who have experienced trauma can find it difficult to verbalize what happened, including how they are feeling about it. Trauma is defined as when someone has “encountered an out of control, frightening experience that has disconnected (them) from all sense of resourcefulness, or safety, or coping, or love” (Brach, 2011). Office-style, clinical therapy can…
As Starr Commonwealth continues to foster healing in 2019 through trauma-informed and resilience-focused care, we would like to celebrate the professionals who make our groundbreaking work possible, and who are driven to heal through their hard work in the field. For June, our spotlight is on Dr. Caelan Soma, PsyD, LMSW, and Chief Clinical Officer…
Starr Commonwealth is excited to announce our newest online course, Children of Trauma and Resilience, presented by Dr. Caelan Soma. Participants will learn about the impacts of toxic stress and trauma, how to help process those experiences, and how to foster and nurture characteristics of resilience. Find out more at our store.
“When I was a high school counselor, I was desperate for help with grieving and traumatized students. What I found with Starr Commonwealth training was perfect. It has dramatically changed how I deal with students as a teacher, counselor, and in policy making decisions as a school board trustee.” – Linda Duran, Texas Educator “Any…
This year, Starr Commonwealth will be hosting the third annual Night of Starrs, an evening to celebrate and illuminate the greatness in all. At this event, Starr presents the Stand Tall Award to champions for children in our local communities, with previous winners hailing from Albion, Marshall and Battle Creek. We are proud to announce that…
Starr Commonwealth is excited to announce a series of web-based changes the team has been anxiously waiting to tell the public – the creation of a new online store and eLearning platform! The online store is a resource for teachers, social workers, therapists and other professionals to expand their training in the areas of trauma informed…
As a member of the American Bookseller Association, The Mitten Word Bookstore in Marshall, Mich. had a unique opportunity – to receive multiple books for the purpose of donating to local schools and educational programs to encourage young readers. Jim Donahue, the owner of The Mitten Word, chose to give this amazing gift to the students in…
Earlier this month, students from Starr Commonwealth’s Youth Assistance Program (YAP) and Lincoln Park Public Schools had the opportunity to take a tour of Wayne State University. Funded by a grant from Wells Fargo, this trip opened up a dialogue for students on what furthering their education can do for them, and got many of them…
Starr Commonwealth has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Upon review of Starr’s policies, procedures and programs over the past four years, COA’s peer review team recommended expedited approval for Starr for meeting all compliance ratings in COA’s fundamental practice standards. The Accreditation Commission has approved this recommendation, confirming Starr…
Every year, Starr Commonwealth encourages our friends and family to give back during the holiday season. Some choose to adopt a family in need, while others make donations to nonprofit organizations that are near and dear to their hearts. This year, friends of Starr pitched in to create holiday baskets for all of the students…
Thank you to everyone who chose to lead with courage and support Starr Commonwealth this year for Giving Tuesday! We had friends from across the country lift their voices in support of Starr, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We were able to raise over $12,000 for Giving Tuesday this year, including our generous $3,000 match from…
For the past several years, Starr Commonwealth has participated in Giving Tuesday – a global day of giving. Falling on November 27th, this day of generosity creates an opportunity for people to show their support for the organizations and causes that matter most to them, and to encourage their friends and family to follow their…
This October, Starr Commonwealth celebrated 105 years of creating positive experiences for children, families and communities with a fundraising event at the Detroit Zoo’s Wildlife Interpretive Gallery. The open gallery was decorated with over a hundred butterflies, each brought to life by a student in Starr’s programs. Suspended above the crowd as if in flight,…
The Starr Alumni Association has been an asset for former students for many years, providing not only a network but an emotional support system for our youth after they leave our programs. While planning our Alumni Cookout, we had the opportunity to talk with two former presidents of the Alumni Association, Dr. Jim Pelt and…