03/04/2026
March is Social Work Appreciation Month, and at the STAR Center, this one feels personal. 🧡
Did you know that every single member of our team comes from a social work background? It’s more than just a degree on the wall for us—it’s the lens through which we view everything we do.
Each week we will feature one of our team members and highlight their contribution to our work.
Because of our roots in social work, our approach is always:
Person-Centered: We see the individual, not just the challenge.
Advocacy-Driven: We don’t just identify barriers; we work to break them down.
Empathy-Led: We lead with understanding and a commitment to social justice.
Whether we are researching, providing direct support, or developing programs, that "social work soul" is baked into our DNA. We are proud to bring these values to the STAR Center every single day.
To our fellow social workers out there, we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re proud to stand in your ranks! 🤝
✨
This week we asked "the boss" of the STAR Center
What do people misunderstand about working with at risk youth?
TJ's response:
People often misunderstand working with at-risk youth, assuming they don’t care or just make bad choices, when in reality most of their behavior is based in survival, trauma, and instability. Defiance is self defense. If they're falling asleep in class, it isn't necessarily disinterest, it's exhaustion. Many of these youth have experienced broken systems, inconsistent adults, or housing insecurity, so trust doesn’t come easily. What makes the difference for these kids is the relationship and consistency of showing up, staying steady, and not giving up when there are setbacks. This work isn’t about “fixing” students, it’s about creating enough safety and belief in themselves that anything is possible.
📚TJ has worked at the STAR Center for 3 years as an At Risk Youth Program Coordinator.
He has a Masters degree in Social Work, an LCSW, a PPS Degree and 20 years of experience in the child welfare background!
We are lucky to have you TJ!