STAR House Foundation, Inc.

(Seeking, Teaching, and Reaching) supports at-risk children by providing after-school tutoring, school supplies, leadership activities, and recreational programs.

STAR House Foundation - Literacy and Educational Project

Goal:

Roswell Rotary Literacy and Educational goals for 2006-2007 was for our club have a signature literacy project that involved our whole club and provide educational aid to people in need. Our literacy project supports Rotary 6900 District and Rotary International goal in Literacy.

Results:

Roswell Rotary chose STAR House Foundation to be its signature Rotary project in Literacy for 2006 -2007. Star House is an after-school educational program for over 160 students from struggling families in Roswell. Kids in elementary and middle schools receive help with homework, literacy and math skills, mentoring and guidance in life choices.

The Rotary Club of Roswell has supported STAR House in the past. This year, with countless more hours of Roswell Rotary volunteer time as well as much more funding, we wanted to make a significant more difference in the lives of these children. This year the STAR House Foundation was faced with a lot more additional challenges of needed funds and help due to the total demolition of one of their educational and program sites in Roswell.

Because of the destruction of STARHOUSE educational site Roswell Rotary Club chose STAR HOUSE as their Signature Project for fund raising at their annual Aubrey Greenway Charity Golf Tournament which took place on September 11th at Brookfield Country Club. All of Roswell Rotary Club membership was involved in this worthwhile project.

On Thursday, November 16th, Club President Ron Redner presented a check to STAR HOUSE in the amount of $22,400!  

STAR House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The day's last bell rings at Mimosa Elementary, and into the cafeteria pours a flood of students from all grades, hungry for a snack and excited to share some social time.  Minutes later, the excitement turns to a hum of activity as the kids get their homework done, do some extra reading, play a math game or work on a project.  Depending on the day, there is also playground time, computer lab, media center sessions, or a visit from a local businessperson to talk about jobs and the importance of education. 

While its hard for some to imagine, throughout North Fulton County, many at-risk children routinely arrive home after school to an empty apartment where there is no adult supervision, no one to help with school work, and worse, an open door for bad choices that will impact their families, their lives, and the community. This is where STAR house shines.

In 1993 a group of community leaders in North Fulton saw the need and began volunteering as mentors and tutors for a handful of students.  STAR House, (Seeking, Teaching and Reaching) was born.  In 14 years of growth with the support Roswell Rotary, the program has remained committed to one ideal: Mold children into thoughtful leaders who reflect upstanding values and they will make their mark on those around them.  Roswell Rotary has been a friend to STAR House with countless volunteer hours, a substantial number of board members, as well as generous funding.  In 2006, STAR House was named Roswell Rotary's Signature Project, which, combined with ongoing support, generated a total donation from the club of $22,400!  

In the past 3 years, STAR House has experienced a major increase in students – numbers have doubled at now the program serves over 180, with another 70+ on a wait list.  STAR House partners with three local schools, one elementary and two middle schools, to provide an individualized program of academic tutoring and mentoring in order to insure success for these at-risk children.  "I came to STAR House and my class average was 30.  I finished the year at 95," shared one middle school student in the program.

Mentoring from adults and older students is a cornerstone of the program.  Among volunteers at summer camp were Sara Mizer and Kylie Ghering, both juniors at Roswell High School.  "STAR House has a great summer program where students can work on math, reading skills, and learn about history," said Ms. Mizer.  With the school year back in session, students from The Cottage School and Mount Pisgah Christian School come each week to work with the elementary children.  

For more information on STAR House, you can visit the website at www.starhousefoundation.org, or call 678-306-4600.