Starfire introduces the Starfire U program
Starfire U is a unique program for young adults with developmental disabilities. It was started as a way to help these individuals grow socially and professionally beyond high school. Starfire has over 85 community partners in the Cincinnati area and over half of these community partners are also Chamber Members.
“We use the community as our campus and businesses as our teachers. That way the experts in each field become trainers for our students” said Krista Clinebell, Starfire U Coordinator. Companies like Huntington Bank, Cincinnati Bell, and the University of Cincinnati have adopted sections of the curriculum like personal finance, telephone etiquette, and health and well being to name a few.
Starfire U topics range from the public transportation system, to basic life skills such as grocery shopping and cooking. Community partners can shed light on more specific aspects of these topics such as budgeting money, what constitutes a healthy diet for an individual, and navigating the Metro bus system and Cincinnati area.
Developing community partnerships is not only important to Starfire U members’ development of social and life skills, but it also leads to greater community acceptance of people with disabilities and increase their inclusion in the community, a critical underlying goal of Starfire. Through the support of members of the Chamber of Commerce and other community partners, Starfire continues to help people with disabilities, opening doors and changing lives.
About Starfire:
Starfire, partially funded through United Way, the City of Cincinnati, and Hamilton County Board of MRDD, provides 110 monthly (1,320 annual) activities for more than 470 teens and adults with disabilities. These activities incorporate over 150 community volunteers, providing valuable inclusion for the individuals with disabilities. Starfire not only offers occasions for social interaction, but also removes barriers and teaches skills needed to eliminate social isolation. The organization also provides opportunities for its participants to volunteer at more than 30 local agencies. This increases self-esteem and focuses on abilities rather than disabilities. For the last 15 years, Starfire has been providing dual respite to the Greater Cincinnati area, an opportunity for persons with disabilities and their parents and caregivers to have time independent of each other.
For information: www.starfireu.org, email Lauren@starfirecouncil.org or call 513.281.2100