fit
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or ea
t-f e Y
No of th
Every community idea should be judged
by one simple question:
“Will this
entice 500
families
to move to
Elkhart?”
They will come. We are sure of it.
500FortheFuture.com
16 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
Five Star Life: Accepting the
challenge to help students
Ten years ago, an Elkhart not-for-profit took on the
challenge of helping at-risk youth in middle schools. The
students needed help to see themselves in a different way, to
accept responsibility, shun excuses, and live with integrity.
The results? By 2012, 74 percent of the students
participating had grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher. By
2013, 13 schools had engaged Five Star Life coaches to help
a total of 2,500 students. And this year, the group expands
its programs to a third state, with Texas joining Indiana and
Michigan.
Five Star Life, honored as the Chamber’s 2013 Notfor-Profit of the Year, puts kids on a path to better school
attendance, improving grades, and reduced behavioral
problems.
“At West Side Middle School, we have provided our students
with one more opportunity to help build the developmental
assets they need to be successful adults and community
members,” wrote principal Kristie Stutsman in a supporting
letter. “… (W)e are convinced Five Star is a program we can’t
live without at West Side. Students who participate in the
program have shown a positive change in attitude, a desire
to do better academically, and a sense of respect for those
around them.”
Volunteer coaches serve as mentors in the after-school
programs, and Five Star invites guests to schedule a visit
to see the program in action. For more information, visit
fivestarlife.org.