Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Broderick.
Hi Pamela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Santa Monica and grew up in the South Bay.
While studying business in college, I enrolled in an elective course dealing with special needs children.
The class had a tremendous influence on me and I ultimately changed my major to special education.
After working in the field of special education for several years, I was hired as a consultant for a small non-profit, STAR, Inc.
STAR was made up of a group of parents with children diagnosed with an intellectual/developmental disability.
STAR’s goal was to open homes that would provide residential care to meet the needs of their family members.
When STAR House 1 (for men) was ready to open, my position changed from consultant to executive director.
I realized when STAR House 2 (for women) opened that my work at STAR was not just a job but a mission.
As our residents began to age and their needs changed, we went to work on our third and fourth homes, designed specifically to provide a higher level of care.
Later, STAR was approached by another non-profit with a request that STAR would take over a home that the provider could longer support. That home eventually became STAR House 5.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Initially, funding was difficult. It’s not easy to sell a dream especially a dream whose mission served a population, who at the time, had little voice.
And as we continue to develop more homes, funding continues to be a major hurdle. However, even more than funding our program, another challenge has always been and continues to be finding and retaining great staff.
The home may be beautiful, supplies plentiful, but as anyone who does this for a living will tell you, a program is only as good as its caregivers. The love, compassion, and ability to provide the care residents require is what makes a program exceptional.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about STAR, Inc.?
STAR is a very family and community driven program. I was raised in a large extended family and my vision is that our homes provide that same feeling.
As we develop more homes, we are committed to continuing the standard of care that we currently provide.
We feel so fortunate to have the support of our community and our donors!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success begins and ends with happy residents, families, and a staff that share our core values, compassion, empathy, and a commitment to our STAR community.
Pricing:
- Receive Federal funds
- Receive State funds
- Private donations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://star-homes.org
- Facebook: STAR,Inc. / Torrance CA
