STARS AZ

We are excited to feature Tyler. Check out the interview below to learn about his impressive skills and dedication to meaningful work.
👉 Position: Courtesy Clerk
👉 What is your favorite part of STARS?
"When my job coach was there to help me ask management questions that I didn’t know were appropriate to ask and supporting me in doing my job correctly."
👉 How has STARS affected your life?
"It made me more comfortable and confident in myself."
👉 What is your favorite part of your workday?
"When I get the opportunity to learn new things on slower days."

Our appreciation to Scottsdale Progress for helping to share the great news of Claudia Chavez's recent promotion to Executive Director of STARS!

Read the article here: https://www.scottsdale.org/neighbors/scottsdale-nonprofit-names-new-director/article_30f8fc7c-4608-11ef-82f7-c71aaf7ea1ad.html

DTA participants kicked off summer with a lively Spirit Week, ending in an exciting luau!
From June 17-21, participants enjoyed themed dress-up days, culminating in a fantastic Friday Luau and Matthew S.’s birthday celebration! Link in comments 👇 to see all the fun!

Big thanks to the Daily Independent for spreading the word about our new Executive Director, Claudia! We’re excited for the future under her leadership. Link in comments 👇

What kind of volunteering at STARS can you do in the 🌞 heat of the summer you ask?
👉 Well - On Saturday, July 13 our long-term partners, Cox Communications volunteers along with newly appointed Executive Director Claudia Chavez, DTA Program Manager Alexandra Duarte, and an assist from Ryan Chavez - this hardy team cleaned out a long unused part of our Cholla Campus Commons area by moving all existing exercise equipment, cleaning the entire area thoroughly, putting down new protective padding, cleaning ALL the exercise machines - and putting it all back!
💯 Now - our Day Training for Adults program has a clean and well-organized area for their daily exercise regimen.

✨ We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Claudia Chavez as our new Executive Director.
Claudia has been a vital member of the STARS family since 2011. Over the years, she has held various roles, most recently as Director of Operations, where she gained a deep understanding of our programs and their significant impact on participants, their families, and the community.
💯 STARS looks forward to a bright future under Claudia's leadership. As Vic Teeters, STARS Board Vice-President, remarked, "With Claudia at the helm, we are confident that STARS is in excellent hands and that great days lie ahead."
Continue reading link in comments 👇

📬✨ Want happy, wholesome updates about STARS delivered right to your inbox?
🌟 Sign up for the monthly Shooting Star eNewsletter today! Link in comments 👇

👀 Join us for an eye-opening tour on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10-11am at the Osborn Campus to experience our 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣!
👉 What to expect on a tour? During the CommunityWork tour, you’ll see how we work closely with both our community partners and participants, ensuring we get the job done. You’ll get a glimpse of the entire process, from intake to assembly, quality control, and back to our community partners. It’s a hands-on experience of how we operate together to achieve our goals.
Link in comments 👇

🎇✨ Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and spectacular Independence Day!
Today we celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave. Whether you're grilling, chilling, or watching fireworks light up the sky, let's honor our nation's independence.

👏 The Development Department had the opportunity to attend Detour Company Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid at the Virginia G. Piper Theatre at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. This musical highlighted the theatrical talent, courage, and artistry of adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.

🐠 The audience sang along to “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World” in this accessible rendition of the classic Disney tale. We were enthralled by STARS own Christopher F. as King Triton, Jodie P. as Scuttle and Christopher R. in multiple roles, including a very convincing French chef!

Today, we are spotlighting Devon, who began his CIE journey in late April of 2024. This Q & A is a testament to his incredible abilities and the transformative power of meaningful work.
👉Position: Dishwasher
👉What is your favorite part of your workday?
“Being able to make a day successful after a long day.”

Happy First Day of Summer! ☀️ Whether you're traveling far or enjoying the amazing sights in Arizona, we wish you a fun and safe season. Embrace the adventures as the superstars you are and make the most of the sunny days ahead!

Our thanks to the Scottsdale Independent for graciously recognizing the accomplishments of our beloved retiring CEO, Dave Henderson!
Read the article here: https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/president-and-ceo-of-stars-retiring,514039

Happy Father's Day to all the patient and loving dads out there. Your gentle guidance and unwavering support make all the difference to our superstars. Thank you for being the heroes in our lives. 💖👨‍👧

✨Thinking back to April, when our Day Training For Adults (DTA) participants enthusiastically embraced the challenge of hunting down Easter eggs.
👉 Thanks to the efforts of the STARS’ Direct Support Professionals, the eggs were cleverly concealed in strategic locations, prompting participants to search diligently to uncover each hidden gem!

🎶 STARS has received a fantastic $20K grant from The Charro Foundation and the Scottsdale Charros! This amazing funding will help us provide awesome music, movement, and exercise classes for our participants at the Cholla campus in North Scottsdale.

💯 We cherish our long-standing partnership with the Charros and can't wait to continue working together in the future!

💯 STARS was honored and privileged to be recognized for its work along with the Civitan Foundation at the 2024 East Valley Prayer Breakfast held on April 16, 2024.
Hosted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, our President and CEO, David Henderson, and our CIE participant, Erik G. were able to share their experiences with the attendees and communicate a message of dignity, hope and opportunity.

Over the next month, we'll be saying a 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗯𝘆𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼n. His compassionate guidance has profoundly impacted our organization and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Take a moment to read David's reflections 👇 on his time at STARS, filled with humility and gratitude.

😍 We're thrilled to share news of a $15,000 donation received anonymously via the American Endowment Foundation Donor Advised Fund.
While we honor and appreciate the preference for anonymity, STARS wishes to express our sincere gratitude openly for this generous gift!

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸 Today, we honor and salute those who embody the spirit of resilience and hope that our fallen heroes fought to protect.

Discover the inspiring story of 𝓛𝓪𝓼 𝓜𝓪𝓭𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓼, the not-so-secret club that laid the foundation for STARS, creating a legacy that shines brightly today!
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 👇

In case you missed the May edition of the Shooting Star, check it out 👇! This month's issue is filled with unforgettable memories.

😀 Introducing our Day Training for Adults (DTA) Program Manager, Alexandra “Alex” Duarte! Let’s take a closer look at Alex’s journey and her inspiring vision for empowering individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD).
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 👇

❤️ STARS is delighted to announce that it is the recipient of proceeds from the 2024 East Valley Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in the amount of $7,500. STARS, along with Civitan Foundation, was an honoree at this year's breakfast, held at the Talking Stick Golf Club and hosted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Along with recognition for our mission, and for the participants in our CIE program, we were privileged to share in the proceeds of ticket sales. Thank you again to all who attended and supported us and a special thanks to our long-term benefactor the SRPMIC.

👉 The Development team was privileged to 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥. Mayor Chip Wilson graciously extended the opportunity for us to discuss potential partnerships aimed at supporting adults with I/DD within the city.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Eli Richardson, City Manager Bryant Powell, Mayor Chip Wilson, Vice Mayor Robert Schroeder, and all esteemed members of the Apache Junction City Council for their receptiveness and engagement.

✨ At 91 years young, the visionary behind STARS knows there’s always hope behind every challenge—great or small. “𝑵𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆,” King says.
In the following narrative, Mary graciously shares her personal journey, offering insights into the remarkable evolution of this nonprofit that has steadfastly served its community for half a century.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 👇

✨ STARS is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded proceeds from the Special Easter Offering of Paradise Valley United Methodist Church.
We are delighted to be recognized by a preeminent organization such as PVUMC and we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the church, its congregants, and all those who support them.

Today, we honor the extraordinary mothers within our STARS community, whose unconditional love and boundless dedication shine brightly, even in their absence. 💖✨ We honor the cherished memories and enduring legacies of these remarkable women. Happy Mother's Day!

⭐ Arizonans, your contribution can twinkle twice as bright on or before April 15!
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿-𝗳𝗼𝗿-𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗭 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁. Give up to $421 for single filers & $841 for joint filers and let's make differences together to STARS!
👉 starsaz.org/yearendgiving