Shining STARS
Winter 2015
STARS Holiday Party a Big Hit!
We wrapped up the first half of our After School Program year with a holiday party on December 18th that was a good time for all! We enjoyed treats, crafts, an original carol of “The Twelve Days at STARS,” and had special gifts for our STARS students. It was wonderful to have other STARS students join us who are not participating in the After School Program, because we haven’t seen them for a while, and had a nice chance to catch up! We’re looking forward to a great 2015!
STARS After School Staff
Shelia Gooch
Joan Emerson
Ashley Phillips
Toni Jove
Rashad Williams
Aracely Rosillo
Shelby Ball
Felicia Powell
LaKeisha Holmes
STARS Mentor Program
We now have 17 mentor/mentee matches, and are looking to match a few more in order to reach our goal of 25 for the year. We had an awesome time at Stars n Strikes Bowling Alley in October. Unfortunately, our trip to the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra was cancelled. The Lock In was a smashing success! By 1:00AM, students were asking when the next Lock In will be (mentors and staff were hoping they would go to sleep soon at that point). Many students were able to stay up all night long. A few sensible students went to sleep around 3:00AM. We’re glad they had such a great time.
We are still looking for more group mentors as well. If you are
interested, or know someone who might interested, please have them contact us. Also, If your son/daughter has not been paired with a mentor, they are able to apply at any time. Our mentors (and all STARS volunteers) go through a rigorous background check that involves fingerprinting, criminal history, and other record checks.
Student Highlight
Miguel Eugenio
Age: 19 Grade: 12
I am ready for graduation, but I am still in the process of preparing for college. I want to major in fine arts (art,
poetry, narratives, music), but I am not sure what kind of career I want yet. Hobbies/Interests: art, guitar, video games, writing, and being around my friends and my brother. Accomplishments: I am proud of the fact that I am graduating high school. I like everything about STARS. My favorite event at STARS is the retreat. My favorite classes in the After School Program are guitar, then cooking, and art. At STARS, I met new people, and made new friends. I was introduced to Goalball here, which I really like playing. I definitely feel better about myself since starting the STARS program.
Student Accomplishments
STARS students McClain Hermes and Ali Lawson were both nominated for Junior Athlete of the Year at the Georgia Disability Sports Awards Banquet.
Congratulations to Christopher Morgan who was named student of the month this past fall among first graders at Mt. Carmel Elementary.
Supply Wish List
STARS is so grateful to the individuals and groups who have
contributed their time, talents and resources to help meet our needs. In order to lower costs and help with our supply needs for the year, please consider donating any of the following items.
General Supplies: plastic storage bins (all sizes), car booster seats, flame retardant oven mitts, puff paint, forks, 20/20 pens, tooth brushes, nail polish remover, clothes hangers, pot holders, pots, pans, clipboards, pump for bike tires/balls with replacement needle, music stands, small speakers, Braille labeler
Art Supplies: yarn, ‘googley’ eyes, buttons, ribbons, glue, beads (with or w/out lettering), sand paper, tongue depressors, craft sticks (popsicle sticks), string, newspaper, construction paper, sponges, scissors w/safety tips, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, masking tape, dry tempura paints, Styrofoam balls (different sizes), hand towels, trays, socks, plastic/paper grocery bags, cookie cutters, paper-mache paste, textured wall paper, foam paper, clear plastic bottles w/caps, poster board, zip lock bags, decoupage sealer, clay pots
Party Goods: paper plates, napkins, paper bowls, plastic/paper cups
Big Ticket Items: desktop computers and monitors or laptops (refurbished is fine), Stairmaster or elliptical fitness equipment, xylophone, garment rack, plastic food replica kits
Instruments: drums, cow bell, guiro, tubano
Camping Supplies: Pillows, sheets, sleeping bags
Family Corner
STARS has made some efforts this year to offer opportunities to
parents of our students, but attendance and interest has been low. Students in STARS are beginning their journey of
independence and ’breaking away from Mom and Dad.’ This does not mean we don’t want parents involved. We want to help you find new ways to be involved in your child’s development. We would like to hear from you on the types of opportunities and resources you are interested in. So far this year, we have offered:
· Parent Braille classes at 4:30PM on Thursdays
· Monthly resource presentations on the second Tuesday at 5:30PM
· Parent Connect—a group for parents to gain a deeper understanding of the Expanded Core Curriculum—monthly on the third Thursday at 5PM
· A transitional family retreat for STARS families of students in grades K-2.
Please let us know what we can do to help you have a more involved role in the STARS community. We will be holding the family retreat again in
September 2015, and we are involved in planning for a State Schools Conference set for October 3-5, 2015.
Upcoming STARS Events
Friday, March 20, 2015
What: STARS Casino Night
Where: The Center for the Visually Impaired
Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
RSVP 404.602.4368 or
Thursday, March 26, 2015
What: STARS After School Enrichment program celebration
Where: The Center for the Visually Impaired
Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26, 2015
What: STARS Transition Retreat
Where: Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge, GA
Time: Friday 6:30 PM-Sunday 10:30 AM
Forms to sign up have been mailed and emailed.
SUMMER CAMP!
June 1-5: Nature Week, grades K-5
June 8-12: Adventure Week, grades K-5
June 15-20: Passport Atlanta, grades 6-12
June 22-26: Adventure Week, grades 6-12
Registration forms will be available March 26
Staff Highlight
Lara is a native of Atlanta. She grew up in Dunwoody and graduated from Dunwoody High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University with a major in Fine Arts and a concentration in Graphic Design.
Before coming to CVI, Lara worked in the corporate world in publishing. For 8 years, she worked for 3 different competitors before eventually getting laid off. She knew she wanted to change fields and have a job that allowed her to contribute to the community more. She found and applied for a job at the Center for the Visually Impaired.
Lara just celebrated her 6-year anniversary at the Center for the Visually Impaired. She started out as an Administrative Assistant with the STARS program and was promoted to STARS Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator. During Lara’s work at CVI, she has increased volunteerism by over 50%. During the past year, Lara has been assisting CVI with its marketing needs, updating social media and the website on a weekly basis. This addition to her current job has allowed her to use her background in design more.
When not at STARS, Lara spends time with her family, friends, husband and 4 cats. She enjoys traveling, reading, drawing, playing the piano, volunteering, mountain biking, exercising and relaxing.
Volunteer Highlight
Congratulations to fellow volunteer Jayna Pierce!!!
As we all know, volunteers are the heart of CVI. We are so fortunate to have so many individuals who take time out of their busy schedules to help their neighbors and their community. As a small token of our appreciation, at least once per quarter, a volunteer will be recognized as the “Volunteer of the Quarter.”
Williams James said, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” This quote embodies CVI’s volunteer of the quarter.
Jayna was drawn to CVI to volunteer due to her own visual impairment. Volunteering has given her the opportunity to work with others who, like her, are visually impaired or blind. When she heard there was an opportunity to work with kids, she jumped at the idea. She has been honored to be able to share her first-hand knowledge with younger kids.
The difference Jayna is making in the volunteer program is monumental. It feels good to be able to share her experiences with the children and put a smile on their faces. And the students are able to relate to Jayna because she is visually impaired.
Jayna believes people should volunteer at CVI because “We all learn from one another. Everyone has a story and today’s kids are the future. If we can make a positive difference for even one kid, then it makes it all worthwhile.”
In her spare time, Jayna enjoys reading, going to book discussion groups and exercising.
Thank you Jayna for all of your amazing support!
Alumni Highlights
Join us for the 7th Annual Hot Dog Fundraiser & Blind Entrepreneurial Showcase to support CVI’s youth program
Wednesday, April 8, 2015*
11:00 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
CVI Parking Lot
739 West Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
(*Rain date: Wednesday, April 15, 2015)
Best priced lunch in town!
$4 combo includes hot dog, chips & drink
($.50 additional for chili)
Plus, experience our blind entrepreneurial
showcase featuring local vendors
from jewelers to massage therapists.
There will also be a $50 door prize.
For more information contact John W. Smith at 404-245-8230.
Event sponsored by the CVI Alumni Association with generous support from Feeding the Homeless Project, Inc., Colliers International and the Coca-Cola Company.