Who We Are
Stars is a community that affirms, equips and emboldens young people to pursue a life of purpose, service and meaning.
Vision
A thriving, interdependent community where lives are transformed.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Values
Dignity, Mutuality, Interdependence, Reinvestment, Advocacy, Cultural humility, Christ-centered
The staff of Stars
Amy Cardenas
College Success Program Manager
Angela Aguirre
Mentor Coach & Field Coodinator
Barbara Tello
MSW Intern
Camilla Flores Hernandez
K-5 Program Leader
Carl Clark
Social Justice Americorps VISTA
Chip Williams
Director of Mentoring Initiatives
Curt Gibson
Associate Director
Diana Bravo
K-5 Program Manager
Diana Tobar
Digital and Social Media Americorps VISTA
Donna Whitman
Special Projects Coordinator
Eric Johnson
Associate Director
Jade Pittman
Middle School Program Manager
Janet Wilson
Mentor Coach
Jasmin Peña
College Success Program Coordinator
Karyn Farrar-Perkins
Director of Education Initiatives
Keanu Monterroso
Director of Operations
Kyra Horton
High School Program Coordinator
Lidia Gallegos
Mentoring Administrative Coordinator
Michelle Klop
Development Coordinator
Miriam Tellez
Volunteer Coordinator
Nancy Stiles
Executive Director
Perla Moreno
Wellness Coordinator
Sabrina Cardenas
K-5 Program Leader
Whitney Martinez
Administrative & Development Coordinator
Yasmin V. Sandoval
BSW Intern
Our History
2001: | Lake Avenue Community Foundation (LACF) is Founded The after-school program for elementary students predates LACF when it began in 1996 by Jill Shook and a group of community members. It was put under the auspices of LACF so that it could expand and develop. LACF expanded the after-school program that first year through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation and in partnership with CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning). From its inception, LACF also had a Homeless Outreach Program that cared for people through providing for them spiritually and physically. |
2002: | Adopt-A-School Begins |
2002: | Mentoring Starts |
2004: | LACF Begins Supporting College Students |
2005: | Teen MOPS Launched |
2008:
Youth Violence Intervention Added to Mentoring Program
The Youth Violence Intervention component to Mentoring responds to a significant uptick in gang violence in Pasadena. This work was done in partnership with The Flintridge Foundation who later ultimately took over the work in 2012.
2009:
Mentoring Program Hires Mentor Coaches to Support Mentors
We hire mentor coaches who focus on supporting mentors through the mentor journey. This leads to a significant growth in the Mentoring program, making it possible for more kids to be mentored.
2009: | Middle and High School Added to the After-School Program In 2009, LACF made a big move to expand their after-school program to include middle and high school. Simultaneously, our Adopt-A-School program grew to 14 church and school partnerships in Pasadena. |
2010: | Summer SKILLZ Launched Summer SKILLZ now includes incoming middle school students who are behind in reading in addition to high school students. |
2011: | Elementary Redesigns and Adds Family Engagement Specialist The new elementary after-school program gets implemented and Family Engagement Specialist joins our team in 2012. |
2014: | North Stars After-School Site Opens We divide middle school and high school into two distinct programs to meet each age group’s needs. Our High School program focuses on college readiness. |
2016: | College Success Program Launches LACF hires Amy Cardenas, our first staff member, to oversee our College Success Program since we began supporting college students in 2004. |
2016: | Director of Partnership and Collaborations is Created At this time Eric Johnson, the Middle and High School Manager, was involved in partnering with the Clergy Community Coalition and Pasadena Unified School District among others, in order to advocate for students and families. But a broader impact was needed to get more done and serve more families with less money. Stars decides to formalize their commitment to go deeper together with new and existing community partners by making Eric the Director of Partnerships and Collaborations. |
2018: |
Lake Avenue Community Foundation becomes Stars This led LACF to intentionally listen to our community for what our new name should be, and ultimately it became Stars.
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2020: | Wellness Program Started in Response to COVID-19 The Wellness program becomes a full wrap-around support that includes counseling, mindfulness, physical fitness, spiritual direction as well as fresh produce and grocery distribution.
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