Challenge Grant Available Now Through December 1.

Dear Friends of STARS Family Services,

It’s with much joy that I contact you as we move toward the holiday season to invite you to make a gift to STARS Family Services a part of your holiday giving. I’m also reaching out to see if you can help STARS Family Services reach a special matching gift anytime between today and December 1.

The Coleman Foundation has awarded us a $12,500 challenge grant. Their foundation will give a gift of $250 for every gift of $250 or more we receive, up to a total of $12,500. Mail-in checks and PayPal count this year! So we are looking for 50 donors to give $250 or more between now and December 1, which also happens to be Giving Tuesday. Prayerfully consider becoming one of those 50 people.

Of course, we welcome your help with any gift you could provide along with your prayers for our residents and the SFS team as we move toward Thanksgiving, Christmas and the new year.

This has been a challenging year for SFS with COVID-19. The SFS residents have been such an inspiration to me during the pandemic, especially as they have returned to the homes and adapted so well to the new protocols. Add to them our staff and board team, all of whom have done an outstanding job of planning, implementing, communicating and modeling the new health protocols.

It would be easy for us to think of STARS Family Services as just about residential living, but I have a greater appreciation than ever before for the Partner Program that makes if possible for STARS to enter the workforce and contribute to our community through working at STARS Resale and Twice is Nice Resale Shops. Our STARS work a 3.5 hour shift alongside a Job Coach performing tasks like a typical store employee such as pricing clothes, hanging clothes, carrying donations, flattening bags, organizing racks, matching greeting cards to envelopes, rubber banding shoes, testing electronics, Swiffering or sweeping, dusting rounders, etc. The reach of this goes beyond current residents to 16 STARS total and five job coaches.

The SFS Partner Program is helping our residents reacclimate to the job setting during the pandemic. The STARS have responded beautifully—as you can see from the photos—and the shops are busier than ever.

These are definitely reasons to give thanks this November.

All of these changes, though, require more funding than ever, so every gift counts now like no other time in our history. We have had to increase expenses by more the $25,000 in order to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.

Give now by clicking on “Donate” in the top right corner of the webpage. You can also mail your gift to STARS Family Services, P.O. Box 1388 or use the response card and envelope enclosed with this letter. Thank you for standing with STARS Family Services at this challenging time.

Tom Paulsen

President, STARS Family Services

Fall Update From SFS President Tom Paulsen

September 2020

Dear Friends of STARS Family Services,

With the seasons moving from summer heat to the autumn colors, STARS Family Services is facing a new season of challenge and opportunity. I’m writing to give you an update.

Superheroes

As the residents returned to our homes, there were many adjustments. New protocols, mask wearing in common spaces, no jobs to go to in the early weeks and new rules to follow to keep everyone safe are just a few of the elements to acclimating back into resident life.

Then, as businesses reopened, the return to work meant even more adjustments on the job. Each employer is diligent in their own way to protect their workers including, and especially, our STARS Family Services residents. Not to mention our staff team who has responded to the changing and challenging dynamics with a level of superheroic discipline and grace.

Looking back, one thing that sticks with me is the fun theme that the Washington House had on Fridays throughout the summer. The theme was “Superheroes.” This is significant because I think that’s exactly what our residents and staff have been in many ways: superheroes. Everyone struggles with change to some degree, but in this season of COVID, our residents have defied conventional wisdom and embraced change with spirit and joy as we move back to the homes and work. This has been an encouragement and a challenge to me, so I share it with you. May we all be flexible and gracious.

Residents enjoyed a field trip to give the firefighters some pictures and notes of thanks for their work.

Matt was especially proud of his Scooby-Doo costume he made during the activity time/art corner that took place during the hours when residents are normally working at their jobs.

Increased Protection Means Increased Costs

We want to make you aware of the increased costs we are facing as we move forward with reopening and with SFS life for the rest of the year. We are facing a total increase of $25,000 to cover the following areas:

• Increased masks and sanitation materials for all three homes

• More frequent deep cleaning by outside professional services

• Increased supplies for arts and crafts and other in-home activities Your financial support at this time would help us cover these costs. We also ask for prayer, that generosity would guide the SFS network to stand with us at this challenging time.

Proactive Every Day

Our safety protocols have been a valuable guide for us as we watch for possible virus exposures. We have had several instances where staff have been tested and isolated until results were known. So far, all results have been negative. We deeply appreciate your prayers for our residents and the whole SFS team, that we might stay healthy and positive during this most unusual time.

Thank you,

Tom Paulsen

Meet Community Builders Levi and Elliana Anderson

Born in Temple, Texas, just south of Dallas, in 1995, Levi’s early childhood was uprooted when his parents divorced and had shared custody. His stepmother was in the Coast Guard, and Levi has lived in more than 20 states, but “the main places where I grew up were Sylvan Lake, Illinois, and Monument, Colorado.”

Fast forward four years, where a baby named Elliana was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and at two months she and her family moved to Orenhofen, Germany, where they lived until Elliana was eight years old. “My parents work with The Navigators, and at that time were a part of the Military Ministry branch of the organization,” explains Elliana. “Our house was always filled with United States Air Force Airmen and Airwomen whom my parents discipled. They had Bible studies as well as fellowshipping and celebrating holidays with us.”

In contrast, Levi’s growing up years were rough. “I came to faith at age three,” he recalls, “mainly to appease my mom and grandma. But it was hard for me to believe in an invisible God to whom we ascribe masculine pronouns with a lack of a father figure for so much time.”

Elliana also came to faith as a child at the age of six. “It felt like the right thing to do,” she said. “Although I did it in earnest, my faith didn’t make much of a difference in my life, especially since much of my life was already wrapped up in my parents’ ministry.”

Her family moved to Colorado Springs two years later, her parents continued to work with The Navs Military Ministry at USAFA and Fort Carson and her father reenlisted in the Army.

Though Levi truly accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 13 “this change of heart didn’t affect my behavior at all, and outwardly I remained the same.” Life, however, changed radically for Levi.

One week before his high school graduation, Levi was involved in a traumatic car accident and was comatose for 15 days and hospitalized for a total of 40 days. “Due to damage to the occipital lobe of my brain in the accident, I lost the majority of my eyesight.” Instead of walking in his high school graduation, Levi spent the following months in rehab as his friends began their freshman year of college.

Immediately after the accident, Levi’s mother told him about a worldwide prayer chain for him. “She told me that the Lord had spared my life for a reason. It was this realization that mobilized my faith and prompted me to truly follow God’s calling on my life. “

With his initial college plans scraped, Levi applied to Moody Bible Institute, not knowing what would come of it or what he wanted to study. “My testimony spoke to the admissions department, and I was accepted and moved as a blind man to the third largest city in America with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It was there that I discovered my passion for speaking up for the marginalized and for ministry.”

Back in Colorado Springs, Elliana rededicated her life to the Lord in high school and decided to do a gap year right after graduation with Mercy Ships—a Christian charity that provides free surgeries and healthcare to third world West African countries.

Just before Elliana left for Mercy Ships, she met the pastoral intern at her church in Colorado Springs. A student at Moody and his name was Levi Anderson. The two began a long-distance relationship when Elliana left for her gap year. For five months, she worked as a cook in the galley of the Africa Mercy in the Canary Islands (Las Palmas specifically) and the country of Cameroon in West Africa.

“Upon my return from Mercy Ships, I finished my gap year working full-time at Sam’s Club, and then moved to Chicago to attend Wilbur Wright College for occupational therapy assisting and to be closer to Levi,” says Elliana.

A year after Elliana moved to Chicago and once Levi had graduated from Moody, they were married in Colorado Springs and moved to Portage Park in Chicago. Initially, Levi struggled to find work, but a month into their marriage, he began work as a swimming teacher in Wilmette. A few months later he found a position as a paraprofessional at a therapeutic school in the city and began working there.

Enter Dawn Clark. “She was one of Levi’s professors at Moody and did our premarital counseling,” explains Elliana. “She told us about the Community Builder position at Kenny’s Home. It was the height of the COVID shutdown in the city and we were not expecting a new job or a move, but the position really aligned with our passions and skills.”

But they knew God wanted them to pursue it. “And that’s what brought us to Kenny’s Home. We both are highly invested in working in the disabled community and feel that God has blessed us with the hearts and abilities needed to work with the residents at all three of the homes,” Elliana declares.

Sums up Levi, “The best thing about living at Kenny’s Home is the true fellowship and family that we have with the residents and the other staff members. There is no judgment, always generosity and a lot of love. Being blind myself, I have noticed and greatly appreciate the accommodating aspects of the home as well, but the genuine love is the best part, even on those challenging days.”

Levi and Elliana know that God has never failed in providing for their every need, and in his providence has closed some doors only to open better ones than they ever could imagine.

Join Us in Daily Prayer for STARS Family Services

Sunday: As we celebrate the Lord’s Day, let’s ask the Lord Jesus to shine brightly in the hearts of our SFS residents, staff and families.

Monday: Give thanks for the companies that employ our SFS residents. Pray for God to guide residents on their jobs this week and to be a blessing to their coworkers. Praise God for our job coaches who help residents and other STARS in their jobs. Give thanks for STARS Resale Shop. Proceeds from sales help SFS. Thanks to both STARS Resale and Twice is Nice Resale Shop as they provide service opportunities for SFS residents.

Tuesday: Give thanks for the people and organizations who financially support STARS Family Services.

Wednesday: Pray for the families of STARS Family Services, that God would bless them, provide for them and sustain them this day and this week.

Thursday: Praise God for health of SFS residents and staff. Pray for God to give continued good health during the pandemic. Pray for wisdom in applying our health/safety protocols.

Friday: Pray for our director of residential life, the life skills tutors, the community builders, staff and supervisors at each of the STARS homes. Pray for perseverance and wisdom in daily Bible study and reflection with STARS residents, that they would see the hand of God lovingly guiding and helping them through this challenging season of life.

Saturday: Pray for God to give wisdom to the SFS board of directors in the days and weeks ahead.

Pray for and plan to participate with STARS Family Services in Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020, this year.

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STARS Family Services is part of Amazon Smile!

If you shop at Amazon, you can support SFS by shopping through our AmazonSmile page. Check it out and every time you shop, you’ll be helping STARS Family Services.

Moving In!

The doors to the residences opened yesterday, July 6, 2020, as planned, and in walked most of our STARS residents, now back home. Here are a few photo highlights of the day.

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Pray for adjustment to new cleaning and distancing practices as well as the adjustments to being back home, reconnecting with staff and housemates.

Give thanks with us for a new community builder at Kenny’s House— Levi Anderson and Elliana, his wife. Watch for more about the Andersons later this month.

July 2020 is Reopening Month here at STARS Family Services. Celebrate with us through a gift!

Reopening Day is July 6, 2020!

Dear Friends of STARS Family Services,

It’s almost here. Finally. Monday, July 6, is reopening day at STARS Family Services.

A few days ago, Carol Casey, our director of residential life, sent me this photo with the message:  Katie has already started packing for her return to the Hooten House! Got off the phone with Ian’s mom—he can’t wait to get back home to Washington House. Got a note from Chris’s mom that he is looking forward to being back at Kenny’s Home!

When I wrote last asking for your prayers and support as we moved forward toward this day, I did not know how long it would take or what all would be involved. Thank you for your generous and prayerful response. I promised to let you know when we would open our doors, and it is my delight to bring this news to you. Here is a brief summary of what has happened to get us to this momentous point.

THE HOMES THEMSELVES. We brought in a team of specialists for times of intensive cleaning and maintenance has taken place in all three homes since we closed the doors back in March.

THE SFS STAFF. Though the houses were closed, our staff never stopped working. Online contacts with residents, figuring out new protocols for health and safety for all people, learning a new regimen for cleaning are just some of the areas of work that filled many of our lives during these months. And getting ready to reopen the doors has proven to take a lot more time than closing the doors.

RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. From all I’ve heard, the last few weeks have been good times for our residents and their families to connect and encourage one another during the pandemic. They have also received training in the new best practices for residents when they return home. Each of the residents has actually self-quarantined for the last two weeks to get ready to move back. Some already have their bags packed and are counting the hours until they can return. 

Now that the reopening is upon us, we need your prayers because the work is really just getting started, so here are a few ways you can pray.

Give thanks with us for our residents and the staff who are getting settled back in to Kenny’s Home, the Hooten House and the Washington House.

Pray for both staff and residents as they adjust to the new regimen of living and working in the homes with elements of social distancing, masks, hand-washing—what we’ve all be facing these past few weeks.

Pray for good health and patience as folks get settled into a new routine. Change is a challenge, and moving back home will be both familiar and different. There will also be a lag time until residents can begin outside employment. Our staff have good plans to fill the days. Pray for reconnecting with one another and with staff.

Pray for God to continue to provide the financial needs of STARS Family Services. We estimate that full-day costs to run one of the SFS homes is $548 or all three homes are $1,644. Pray for people to be moved to continue to support STARS Family Services with their prayers and their tax-deductible financial gifts.

Celebrate our reopening with a donation now!

Thanks for being a friend of STARS Family Services!

Tom Paulsen

President of the Board of Directors

STARS Family Services

Towards Reopening: Bringing Residents Back Home and Back to Work

IT’S HAPPENING.

We don’t have all the details worked out, but we want you to be one of the first to know. STARS Family Services (SFS) is planning and working toward the day when our residents will be able to return to their homes. And yes, we’re coming back better than ever.

Absence make the heart grow, well, a lot of things. We miss our STARS and they miss us. The good news is that they are all healthy. 

There are so many things to miss and our residents miss and feel all this fully and deeply--their housemates, their rooms, the staff, their jobs, the food they make together, even dare I say, the chores like laundry, vacuuming, the yard work that’s coming and so much more. Bible time together. Interacting with the community builders. It’s what living in a home that’s yours is all about.

ANNOUNCING: A COVID-19 MATCHING GRANT

The excitement about helping our STARS get back home and back to work is magnified by the news that the Coleman Foundation has awarded SFS with a $25,000 matching grant. They will match dollar for dollar any amount given online or sent in the mail, no restrictions, up to the total grant of $25,000. The deadline for donating for the match is June 1. Gifts can come by check or online, and there is no minimum.

You can fund a full day of SFS living in one of our homes for a gift of $548 or all three homes for a gift of $1,644. And at this time, those gifts would be matched by the grants. Won’t you help us get ready for the reopening of our homes?

Tuesday, May 5, is a special Giving Tuesday Now! Day to help local charities like SFS raise support during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are hoping to raise at least $10,000 between now and Giving Tuesday. Together I believe we can make this a reality.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN

We also want everyone to understand that we proceed with care. We know that we can’t rush it. As eager as we are to welcome our team of volunteers and staff and residents back into life at STARS Family Services, we are using this time to disinfect each of the homes and develop new protocols and best practices for when the residents return home. We will be guided by a new emergency preparedness plan to help assure the safety and well-being of everyone in our the SFS community.

PRAYERS NEEDED

Pray about giving to help supply the needed funds so SFS can meet this match and move forward in reopening the homes. We seek to do this according to God’s plan and in his way.  Pray for God to give our board, staff and volunteers wisdom as we move forward with preparations to open to homes to the people they were built for—our residents. 

We’ll be sure to let you know when the doors open wide!

Thank you for your partnership with STARS Family Services.

 Tom Paulsen

President, Board of Directors

STARS Family Services

A COVID-19 Video Update

We want you to know what’s happening here at STARS Family Services. Watch this video for the latest. Share your prayer needs with us, too! Enjoy, too, the photos gallery of some of our STARS.

March 2020 Coronavirus Updates

March 27, 2020

In the best interest of the health and safety of our residents and staff, all residents have returned to their family homes for the duration of the crisis.  The SFS homes are not closed, however, as our Community Builders, for which they are a place of residence, continue to live there.  There are on going expenses and any donations at this time will be particularly appreciated.  Please be in prayer for our residents, their families and our staff during this difficult.time.

March 17, 2020

In light of the Coronavirus restrictions, all three STARS Family Services (SFS) homes are not open for visitors. The health of both residents and staff are being monitored and we are doing all we can to assure healthfulness for all. Please be in prayer for the SFS family at this time. We look forward to when we will be able to welcome people to the homes and when our residents can return to their jobs and reconnect with people outside the homes.

The Musical Moms Benefit Concert is Coming!

Well-known and popular Christian artists and Wheaton residents, The Musical Moms, will headline the spring benefit for STARS Family Services, a 501(c)(3) organization designed to help families with intellectual disabilities and provide independent living for more than a dozen adults. 

The fundraiser is scheduled for March 6 and 7 at College Church in Wheaton. 

Titled, “An Evening with the MUSICAL MOMS,” this benefit concert for STARS Family Services features artists Marcia Macy, Joleen Billingham and Robin Wiper, who have been singing for more than 10 years. From various musical backgrounds, the trio brings to their audiences everything from opera to bluegrass to southern gospel and contemporary Christian music.   

There’s a strong love of songwriting among these musical moms, who enjoy producing lyrics and music that bring laughter as well as inspire others in matters of faith, hope and the love of God. 

The first independent home for STARS residence opened in 2011. “Audience members are encouraged to contribute to the work of STARS Family Services, which was created to provide independent living arrangements and related services to adults with intellectual disabilities,” according to Tom Paulsen, President of STARS Family Services Board of Directors. 

The benefit concert will take place at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton, IL on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 3p.m. Admission is free, and seating is on a first-come basis.  

Bowl-A-Thon Saturday!

BOWL-A-THON 2019 this Saturday!

Bad weather won’t stop the fun, so come out and join us!

Bring family and friends to join us at the 11th annual Bowl-A-Thon. Pay just $10 for two hours of bowling. The fun will keep on going with a silent auction and raffles featuring great prizes! Even if you don't like to bowl, you'll have a great time.

FOX BOWL

1101 Butterfield Road

Wheaton, Illinois

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2019

Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Questions? Contact Ray Klein

Email: rklein9019@aol.com or call (630)858-1237

Laura Story Benefit Concert

Grammy Award Winning Artist To Perform At Area Benefit

Wheaton, IL – Grammy Award winning artist Laura Story, will headline a benefit concert for STARS Family Services, an organization that provides holistic, full-service residential living to adults with intellectual disabilities throughout DuPage county.

The concert begins at 7 pm on Friday, September 13, 2019 at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton.

Since the release of her solo debut work in 2008, Story has amassed a GRAMMY® Award, a Billboard Music Award, multiple GMA Dove Awards and an RIAA Gold certification for her massive No. 1 hit “Blessings.” In addition, she’s also the author of two books, including the latest “When God Doesn’t Fix It – Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can’t Live Without.”

Story has recently launched her fifth studio album, Open Hands. “We have this picture all the way through the Scriptures of all these great leaders in this process of surrendering everything. What the Lord is asking them is not, ‘you need to hold on tighter. You need to manage this better.’ What the Lord asks us is to surrender,” Story said.  “It’s about learning to live with open hands, learning to live life in this constant state of saying, ‘Lord, my life is yours. My time is yours. My resources are yours. All of this is yours. Do what you will.’”

Audience member and fans are encouraged to donate to the work of STARS Family Services, a 501(c)(3) organization, created to help supply independent, healthy living experiences and related services to adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Today, there are 3 individual homes serving up to 15 residents and their families. The first home opened in June of 2011.

Seating is first-come, first served.  For more information about the show, call 630-206-0243.

No Ticket Needed. This is a benefit concert to support STARS Family Services. Give generously as you are able during the offering, by mail or online

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DOORS OPEN at 6 p.m.

CONCERT STARTS at 7 p.m.

Together We Can!

Meet the many people and the different aspects of life at STARS Family Services some to life in this video. Enjoy!

AmazonSmile Program

If you shop on Amazon, choose STARS Family Services in the Amazon Smile program and a portion of your purchases will go to SFS. It’s the same as shopping on amazon, so go the smile.amazon.com and get started.