Starfinder Seeking Interns, Volunteers, and Work Study Students

Posted by on April 1, 2005

Starfinder Foundation
123 South Broad Street, 24th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19109
215-772-7343
[email protected]
http://www.StarfinderFoundation.org

Starfinder is a dynamic non-profit organization that utilizes soccer as a vehicle for children’s personal growth and development through education and recreation. Starfinder’s mission is to create an inspirational learning environment where children are encouraged to strive for academic excellence, develop strong moral character, and live with a positive attitude, regardless of their socio-economic status. Starfinder builds self-esteem, character, critical thinking skills, conflict resolution skills, decision-making, persistence, integrity and a winning attitude – all core components of a successful student.

Starfinder engages racially and ethnically diverse urban youth between the ages of 6 and 18 living in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas in its programs, with more than 700 children served in FY 2004. Starfinder works in partnership with numerous nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, and the Philadelphia School District (please see attachment for full list of partners). Starfinder aims to work with at-risk populations and communities that have limited access to resources. For example, Starfinder is partnering with the Welcoming Center for new Pennsylvanians to engage recently immigrated children from around the world into its programs.

Another key partner, the Philadelphia School District (PSD), serves 31,204 middle-school aged children and 49,907 high-school aged youth, of whom 80% are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, (a federal poverty-level indicator). The PSD serves a diverse student body: 65.3% African-American, 15.1% white, 14.5% Latino, 4.9% Asian, and .2% Native American. Starfinder’s involvement in PSD schools has led to participating students’ improvement in school attendance and in academic performance.

Education is the core of each of the Starfinder programs and makes them unique. The Starfinder curriculum is woven into each program, geared towards children ages 6-18, and is comprised of two sections, both of which use soccer as the medium to spark the imagination of Starfinder youth.

We are currently seeking interns and volunteers and, within the next month will be seeking work study students to assist us as well, especially in the area of sports education and character development. I am hopeful that we can gain some student expertise in the education, recreation, program and administrative areas of our organization. We will be especially interested in individuals with soccer experience who are interested in working with our kids as coaches.

If you are interested in volunteering or intering with Starfinder, contact Hannah Brown at 215-772-7343.