STAAR Foundation's Recovery Mentoring

Quality mentoring works regardless of age and life experiences. STAAR (Services That Assist And Redeem) Foundation has added mentoring to the Firstep Men's Recovery Program in addition to STAAR's youth mentoring and other initiatives.

Firstep Men's Recovery Program is a 15-week, 100-hour long program. This post features the program's first graduation class. The second session started soon after.

Firstep Men's Recovery Program
Graduation Celebration

We asked Gerald Scott, founder and executive director of STAAR Foundation, to share this story. All that Scott has experienced as well as his passion for helping others made this program happen. Gerald Scott:

Gerald Scott

"Since 1995 I have been a Department of Corrections (D.O.C.) volunteer. Just as much as I have a passion for mentoring, I have always been dedicated to seeing effective programs involving skill development for those incarcerated. 

I was a volunteer for the Clara Waters Minimum Security ten-module, 100-hour reentry program for four years. The program was founded by Sheila Alford, Ph.D.

I also taught Deterrent Thinking patterns, three-hour training, that taught the inmates how to change the way they thought in order to benefit them as they reenter society. 

Talented performer

Last summer Dr. Alford gave STAAR Foundation the copyright of these 100 hours, and this year STAAR Foundation formed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with OKC Metro Alliance and Firstep Men's Recovery. 

Tiffany McCollum, dependable coordinator on the reentry side, Katawna Stephens on the mentoring side, and I worked together to provide 20 men battling with addiction the 100 hours of life skills over 15 weeks at Firstep Men's Recovery located off Draper Lake.  

The young man playing the guitar skillfully and singing with a beautiful voice was also a class participant.

At the graduation ceremony, Jed Chappell, founder of City Center and a STAAR Foundation partner, gave the keynote address.

Gerald Scott, Jed Chappell and
Tiffany McCollum

Each participant was given a certificate and opportunity to share from their hearts how they benefited from the program. 

Tiffany McCollum listening
to participants speak.

Listening to and understanding
the speakers' messages.

Tiffany McCollum receives recognition 

from STAAR Foundation.

All elements of the graduation we replicated to honor how Clara Waters celebrated graduation.....years ago. Changing lives one week at a time."

Some of the deserving Firstep graduates with their certificates.

Victorious!

Katawna Stephens receives an award
for her excellence in mentoring.

Katawna Stephens, a passionate,
innovative, determined mentor and
mentoring strategist for all ages

Another STAAR Foundation Mentoring Program, Third Grade through Senior Year 

Katawna Stephens, the vice president of STAAR Foundation, is now taking the youth mentoring program to a new level, a next phase.

She has created an evidenced-based "mentoring system," that starts at the third grade, lasting until the mentee reaches his/her senior year.

After graduation, the mentee will have opportunity to stay on with STAAR Foundation and be actively involved in peer-to-peer mentoring and leadership. 

Thanks to Gerald Scott, founder and executive director of STAAR Foundation, for sharing and for continuing to use his gifts and intellect to help others.

http://okcmetroalliance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/STAARfoundation/

https://www.bestillstudios.com/ Photographer, Sara Wynn