Community Youth Development (CYD) will
showcase the Pathway of STARs near the
food court at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall
from Friday, May 2, through Wednesday,
May 7, during mall hours, the organization
has announced.
Each of the 162 stars will represent a current
STAR student, a news release explains: a high
school student who has completed CYD's
comprehensive, 75-hour STAR Leadership
Training Program. "Students learn important
skills such as team-building, communication
and leadership" through the program, the
release points out. After they complete it, they
are eligible to serve on a nonprofit board of
directors or on a city or county advisory board
as a full voting member, the release adds.
"We are so excited to team up with Westfield
Sarasota Square Mall to feature our STARs,"
said Karen Bogues, CYD executive director,
in the release. "We are eager to share the
importance of the STAR Leadership Training
and the immense impact it is having on teens
in Sarasota County. The Pathway of STARs is
a great way for us to educate the community
on this program."
The display coincides with the 2014 Giving
Challenge, which will be held May 6-7 to
promote nonprofits in Sarasota County and
the surrounding areas, the release contin-
ues. Visitors to the Pathway of STARs will
have the opportunity to learn more about the
STAR Leadership Training Program, create
their own stars, take photos on the pathway
and show their support by posting a photo
with the hashtag #BeASTAR, the release adds.
Youth in grades 6 through 12 participate in
a variety of social and personal skill devel-
opment programs through CYD, the release
notes. In 2013, the organization served
2,192 young people throughout Sarasota
County. Community Youth Development
is funded in part by Sarasota County
Government.
COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TO SHOWCASE STARS
Image from the Community Youth Development website
Sarasota News Leader May 2, 2014 Page 74
