The Season of Giving
for First Star

With the holiday season upon us, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our entire First Star community for all your support throughout the year. We wish you all the warmth of good friends, the joy of a happy family, and a season filled with love.

First Star Academy Spotlight:
The First Star College of Staten Island Academy
Our First Star College of Staten Island Academy (CSI), now in its fourth year, is comprised of scholars who are primarily in eleventh and twelfth grade. This past year the Academy's main objective has been to increase the scholars' literacy, scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical skills. This STEM-focused curriculum has given them confidence in these subject areas, broadened their appreciation for careers in these fields, and increased their personal and academic growth.
College of Staten Island Academy Highlights

CSI scholars visited iFly where they participated in their STEM education program, learning first-hand how math and physics come to life through one-on-one flying in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel (top left). The CSI scholars also toured Kingsborough Community College's new STEM lab, where they learned all about the components of 3-D printing (top right). Several scholars attended The Future of Tech Hiring panel event organized by AT&T, All Star Code, and Girls Who Code, which was geared towards providing participants with a set of best practices, tips, and tricks for landing a job in the tech industry (bottom left). Scholars visited NY Hall of Science, an interactive science museum and learning center located in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens (bottom right).

The CSI program isn't just focused on academics. Scholars also engage in a variety of learning opportunities that support life skills and self-advocacy. This past April, they met with Congressman Max Rose, US Representative for NY's 11th District, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. Scholars were able to share stories, speak about issues related to youth in foster care, and suggest ways that the Congressman can help address those issues (pictured left). CSI scholars also had the great fortune of learning about the principles of financial literacy, through a program with The Money Standard and I AM CULTURED, which left them feeling empowered to become the authors of their financial destinies (pictured right).

The summer of 2019 culminated with a week-long HBCU STEM college tour from Pennsylvania all the way to North Carolina. The AT&T Foundation sponsored-trip included tours of Cheyney University, Lincoln University, Delaware State University, Morgan State University, Howard University, North Carolina Central University and Duke University. While in DC, our scholars were able to take a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. It was an enriching week of touring, learning and sharing and an opportunity for scholars to see the limitless possibilities that are in store for them as they head into college application season.
First Star CSI Academy Staff Spotlight:
Academy Director
Senemeht Olatunji

As the Academy Director of our First Star College of Staten Island Academy, Ms. Olatunji has over 15 combined years of instructional, administrative, leadership and social work experience, including as a secondary educator, with practical experience in mental health treatment, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, transitional housing, homelessness and child welfare. Senemeht is also adjunct faculty at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College where she teaches Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare Policy. Senemeht holds a Master of Social Work from Howard University and Bachelor of Arts in English from Marymount Manhattan College, and is a licensed Social Worker.

Assistant Director
Nkechi Ejiogu

Nkechi Ejiogu is a Staten Island native of Nigerian descent. Nkechi graduated from the University at Albany with her Bachelor's in Biology and Master's in Africana Studies. Her passion is helping Scholars and seeing them excel to higher levels. Nkechi loves to dance, be silly and hang with her family and friends. Most importantly, Nkechi loves to give back to the community. Nkechi has served as the First Star CSI Academy Assistant Director for two summers.
First Star CSI Academy Peer Mentors
Our CSI peer mentors pave the way for our scholars to experience all the First Star program has to offer. We are lucky to have undergraduate and graduate students from all over NYC and beyond, helping to make sure our CSI scholars are supported and empowered at every stage of their high school careers. This year's peer mentors hail from Columbia University, SUNY Oswego, Hunter College, NYU, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island.
We're Proud to Announce a New Academy:
First Star Kent State University Academy
In an effort to help Ohio youth removed from their homes due to parental opioid abuse, First Star is bringing our Academy program to Kent State University. We are thrilled to introduce you to Danielle Green-Welch who has just signed on as our Kent State Academy Director. "This crisis really is impacting entire families. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts and so it's really leaving no choice but for young people to end up in the care of the counties," said Danielle Green-Welch. To hear more about this inspirational new Academy, check out their feature on News Channel 5 Cleveland ([link removed]) .

Academy Director

Danielle Green-Welch

Ms. Green-Welch has worked for over five years as the inaugural Supervisor for the Emancipation Unit with Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. Mrs. Green-Welch’s primary role was to organize, implement and facilitate services and resources for youth that have aged out of the foster care system. She has been an advocate for youth and children for more than fifteen years, serving them in many capacities.

In 2003, Danielle founded the DreamKeepers Program. This program provides workshops, mentoring and motivational speaking for at-risk youth focusing on Moral Character, Goal-Setting, Financial Intelligence and Self-Esteem. Mrs. Green-Welch holds a Master’s Degree in Education and an Ed.S., focused on Curriculum and Instruction. She is also pursuing her Ed.D with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction, researching the impact of education and vocational training on the cradle-to-prison pipeline.
#GivingTuesday is ONE Week Away!
December 3, 2019

#GivingTuesday is ONE WEEK away! We wish we could give our foster youth the world EVERY Tuesday. If you are able to make a donation this year, make First Star your charity of choice. Start your Giving Tuesday early here:
Donate Today ([link removed])

And as a First Star Elf, we are appointing you to help us spread the joy of First Star on social media as well! Share the First Star story with your friends and family. Let them know that you've earned your ears and ask them to join in the magical work!
Make sure you're following First Star:
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First Star is Hiring in Los Angeles

Become a part of the First Star Family!



First Star has two open positions for mission driven individuals who are passionate about education and want to make a difference in the lives of foster youth. We are currently looking for a Director of Strategic Initiatives and a part-time Director of Development. Information on both positions can be found here ([link removed]) .

In the News

Washington DC

Hosted by D.C. Superior Court and the city's Child and Family Services Agency, the 33rd Annual DC Adoption Day ([link removed]) was held on November 16th to celebrate families who have adopted children from the city's foster care system and to encourage others to consider helping. Of the nearly 800 children in DC's foster care system, 45 were officially adopted and placed in permanent homes, turning the day into a celebration of new beginnings.

Ohio

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order ([link removed]) that establishes an advisory council that will come up with suggestions for how to make the foster system work better for foster families. Lieutenant Gov. Jon Husted spent some time in Ohio’s foster care system. “I started out my life in foster care and was blessed to be adopted by wonderful parents who gave me a great, loving environment to grow up in," Husted says. But, many foster youth are not as lucky, especially now that the opioid crisis has increased the caseload significantly. The new advisory council will hold seven meetings throughout the state before the end of 2019.

Wisconsin

Over 120 bicycles are on their way to foster families across Wisconsin ([link removed]) after Schwinn HQ employees built the bikes to donate to 'Family Works Program Incorporated'. The company plans to donate up to $125,000-worth of bicycles to kids in foster care through next year. "If you think about it, teenagers, they're not going to get their parents' car, they're not going to get their foster parents' car, so what's the next best thing? A bicycle!" says executive director Gianna Dahlia.

There's no better time to make a Gift to First Star!
Help make the holiday season a time our scholars will never forget.
Donate Today ([link removed])

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