Not a very good place. I feel really bad for the children here at Starr. I believe it's due to the newer people who run it in the main office. Years ago this place was a place of hope. Today it is a disgrace and needs to be gone through starting with the getting new people to run it. Starr is also financially unstable and doesn't properly handle their business. My opinion though.
I just attended a Glasswing Racial Healing class. The facilitators were very professional and kind. The facilitators provided a safe place for everyone to express their views. The class was very transformational and real conversations took place about the very important and sensitive topic of race. I would highly recommend this class!
Graduated in '10 thought it was great. Didn't get into any fights.
My son was there 4 yrs ago and I would have given 5 starrs.. This time he went back n the services n Staff had fallen apart. The workers are overly extended w too many clients per worker. No supervision... And my son was hurt multiple time by reg. babysitting staff. Who by the way you couldnt tell apart from the kids.. Please hire more people. So these kids can get the help they need to get. Also will not return my sons things. Everything of value was kept . Clothes n personal belongings. Cant even get his shoes.. Shame on you Starr Commonwealth......
Excellent place for unwanted and misbehaved children. Gives a child a second chance from going to jail/prison. Also teaches them to be respectful to peers and adults. Schools gives them an opportunity to get an education. Plus it teaches them to be responsible (cleaning and organising their belongings) (cooking and disposal of waste). Too many advantages to mention.
I ordered an online self directed class for trauma informed teaching. COVID hit and I got sick. Spent most of the year trying to recover while teaching in a global pandemic. As a teacher, you can probably imagine how hectic it became. Things finally calmed down and I tried to log in to take the class. My Home Screen did not show the class, so I called. They told me that the class was only good for 1 year and it expired the previous month. I asked if they made any consideration or extended deadlines due to COVID. They said no. So I spent over $300 on a self directed class that they will not let me take. Oh the irony, I guess they are not so trauma informed after all!!! The manager never even returned my call
When i was at Starr I was always brought down by so many staff and the staff would mentally abuse me and tell me that nothing good would ever come out of me. I proved them wrong and left Starr on November 16th 2018 so relieved and happy because i left all the horrible things that they would tell me. Basically i faked everything until i left and most workers that send kids there don't think about what could be there and what could happen. Residential placements like these traumatize kids even more and i don't recommend this to anyone.
I have known about Starr for five years, and I have heard so many great stories from people they have helped. Their students have gotten emotional support, scholarships, and more, and it's a shame that more of those people aren't speaking up. Unfortunately, people seem to only want to talk about an organization if they didn't have a good experience.
starr.org