OUR STARS

Our Clients

Stars Behavioral Health Group provides services and support to more than 1500 clients each year. The most rewarding part of our work is seeing them overcome tremendous challenges, grow, and change.

A case history of a youngster's residential treatment.

Prior to her admission to STARS at age 17, "Kindra" had been in Napa State Hospital for two years. From age 4 when she was removed from her family, she had been in multiple foster homes, 10 group homes, Juvenile Hall (4 times), and many psychiatric hospitals. Kindra's painful history included not only beatings from her schizophrenic mother, but also molestation while in foster care, and two rapes (one in a group home and one while at juvenile hall). Kindra arrived at STARS in "walking restraints." Her presenting problems included suicidality and self-injury (cutting her wrists, deliberately burning herself, swallowing glass, overdosing on medications, ingesting wild mushrooms, and AWOLing and jumping off freeway overpasses). After three turbulent months in treatment, Kindra began to stabilize and since then made steady progress. Her psychotropic medications were discontinued or reduced, and while still at STARS, she was mainstreamed to a local high school, became a volunteer in San Leandro's "Nursing in Action" program, and enrolled in classes at Chabot College. Kindra now has a college degree and lives independently.

Excerpt From a Client's Poem

Jokers' Maze by Chris

Life is like a maze
Gets me in a daze
It takes me to a place
Where I don't know where I'm at
But I want to come back.

Everybody leave me alone
I'm in my zone
Messed up to the bone
In the dark
Sitting in the park
Forgetting everything
That hurts my heart.

But that was back in the days
Now I'm almost done with my maze
Growing mature in better ways.

This was written by a 15 year old boy for published in the Starlight Student Newspaper

Testimonials

Client, Girl, age 17
"I really didn't know what it was like to smile, until I came to Star View."

Client, Boy, age 18
"I just graduated from high school and am hoping to go to college. I've been with the program for about 2 to 3 years. The program helped me to graduate. I did all my school work here: they helped me here."
"STARS has helped me with my problems and they get up close and personal with you: don't try to provoke you, but let you know that they are here for you. They don't give up on you:. I'm proud of myself now."
"STARS has helped me explore my talents: poetry and music."

Client, Girl, age 16
"It's been great being here. They talk to me and they really listen. When I get restless, they even will take me to the mall, or take me on a walk. The people here get me."

Client, Boy, age 15
"I can come to them when I have problems: they really listen."

Client, Girl, age 17
"I really like it here. The people here really care about me and how I am improving."

Client, Girl, age 17
"I get to communicate to the staff. The best part of it here, is there is a freedom."

Client, Girl, age 16
"I got out of juvenile home and heard about the program. I voluntarily came here and it has helped me a lot."
"When you have no one to turn to, or no job, it's hard. But with this program, they listen to you and help you through your transitions. They don't look down upon you with your disabilities. You can have a normal life like they do. They take you on outings. They help you to become stronger and encourage you to become better. It makes you not look down on yourself."

Client, Boy, age 16
"As my Grandmother said, STARS has helped me a lot. The program has really helped with my temper."

Starlight Garden

Come visit the gardens just off the boys' patio. It is a complete eye treat with flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables. Special recognition to all the boys who participated in making the summer gardens a thriving success. What started as a whim, during a Business Meeting discussion, has been supported by the whole community, bringing us all a very special place. The boys enthusiastically submitted their written proposal which was passed by the administration team. In early Spring, with the support of the Rehab department, the boys planted seeds, transferring the young seedlings into the garden boxes they helped Joe and Leo construct. The boys water the gardens almost every day with the support of RMs and YC staff. The kitchen staff have spiced-up some of their dishes with the cilantro and basil. It is worth a meditative visit -- relax and enjoy. The tomatoes and watermelons will be here shortly.

Starlight Girls Safety Dinner

As a result of the girls winning another month with the safety contest with very few assaults (21 days w/o assaults I believe the number to be), they asked for a special dinner for their reward.  Linda spent hours cooking during the weekend, then preparing and setting up the dinning room for the special event.  The girls, through Rehab, had to attend several groups on etiquette, and manners.  They learned that they could have manners and still not know etiquette and that they could have the etiquette piece down but still not have manners.  They responded well and showed what they learned at the dinner that Linda, Debbie Jo and Kelly served.  I was corrected for passing bread wrong, they really did learn and how to correct with kindness.  All the girls that had dinning room privilege came; those that didn't had the same dinner on the unit.  Shrimp Cocktails, salad, manicotti and coffee with biscotti was served, apple cider with 7up was served as the evening drink.  It was SIMPLY FABOLOUS!  Enjoy the photos.  More will be available soon.