Non-profit receives grant to continue work with RCS students

Story by Karen Harmon, Stars Intergen

(Dec. 4, 2009) -- Stars Intergen, a nonprofit organization based in Glenmont that provides intergenerational programming for residents in the Towns of Bethlehem and Coeymans, has received a $1,000 mini-grant from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s Standish Family Fund to provide career awareness activities for Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk middle and high school students.

The mini-grant is being used to underwrite the costs of transporting students to businesses, college campuses and other locations to raise their awareness about career opportunities and to encourage them to further their education beyond high school.

The Star Helpers Program brings middle- and high-school students to the Van Allen Senior Apartments in Glenmont to spend quality time with residents who volunteer to befriend the students. The senior citizens help students with homework as needed, team up with them on community service projects, play games with them and attend field trips together that are community-service or career-oriented.

On December 1, 2009, New York State Assemblyman Tim Gordon accompanied the Star Helpers students and senior volunteers on their first visit of the school year when they toured the New York State Capitol to help them learn about the legislative process and career opportunities in the Legislature. (See photo above.) Gordon led a mock legislative session with them in the Assembly Chamber to show them how a bill is voted through the Assembly and answered their questions.

"We are very thankful for the $1,000 Career Awareness Grant that Stars Intergen has received," said RCS Middle School Principal Liz SantaBarbara, who is also a Stars Intergen board member. "The grant will allow students to be aware of the possibilities for their future. The Star Helpers Program is one that we value. The needs of the senior citizens and school districts can be addressed in a beneficial partnership that strengthens the entire community. The STARS volunteers share a lifetime of wisdom and experience with students to help them succeed."

Stars Intergen also operates the STARS (Seniors Teaching and Reaching Out to Students) Program, which recruits senior citizens to volunteer in Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Elementary School classrooms where they help students improve reading and other academic skills. The agency is recruiting additional volunteers at the elementary school level for the 2009-10 school year and is expanding the STARS Program to middle school classrooms.

Retirees interested in volunteering should contact Stars Intergen at (518) 439-1505 or kharmon@nycap.rr.com.