My name is Christine Buckner and I am 21 years old. I have a two year old son named AJ. I will be graduating
from Kishwaukee Community College in December of 2010 and
then will attend Northern Illinois University in January, where I have been accepted into the honors program. I will
be majoring in Sociology with a minor in Black Studies.
I work in the Teen Parenting Services Network program three days a week. I have recently created a resource
manual for downstate Illinois and updated the emancipa-tion handbook for UCAN clients.
Being in this STARS internship has granted me the oppor-tunity to meet a variety of professionals that I otherwise
would not have met. I have also received training in trauma, how to deal with children that suffered trauma. The trainings were very interesting and I learned how different events in a child's life can have everlasting affects on them. Also, I have
learned how children can overcome trauma with the right help and support system.
A career development and leadership program for alumni of the child welfare system aged 20-23, the STARS program is designed to create career and education focus. It is a year long paid internship program at UCAN. The program is composed of five components: career development, public pres-entation, internal and external training, commu-nity service and exposure outings.
Below the STARS and Chase Larkin meet Mr. John Rogers of Ariel Investments, LLC.
I am currently in the STARS program at UCAN and attend Malcolm X College for mortuary science. I am also volunteering once week at a funeral home on the west side as part of my service work for the STARS program. The networking and professionalism skill building that I’m receiving from the STARS program will definitely help
me to become a successful businessman. The STARS have gone on quite a few exposure outings and had the chance to meet people like, Mr. Nikitas of
MB Real Estate and Mr. Rogers from Ariel Investments. We meet weekly with different professionals external from UCAN on: resume writing, public speaking,
professionalism and networking skills. Currently, Mr. Vukits works with us on our presentation skills and Ms. LaPaglia works with the group ongoing with networking skills.
My major focus is family and school. I am currently working on being the best husband and father I can be. I also strive to become one of the top morticians in the business. People always ask, why mortuary science? I
answer why not mortuary science? It is a never ending business and, what’s to be afraid of in the dead? (laugh out loud) It will be an exciting and interesting journey. So at this point I’ve learned a lot and looking forward to
get all I can get out of the STARS program.
~James Clark
STARS Holiday Newsletter
December 2010
www.ucanchicago.org
For information on the STARS
program:Ellen Acevedo
I am currently an intern in the UCAN STARS program. As part of my responsibilities, I work in two departments at UCAN. I work in quality improvement department and I also work at Residential on Mozart Street, as an activity planner. I was introduced to UCAN in June of 2006, when I became a resident of the Transitional Living Program. From there I became part of the Independent Living
Program and then emancipated (aged out). I grew up on the south side of Chicago in the Roseland Com-munity. At age 16, I graduated from Downers Grove High School. In my spare time, I enjoy fashion, and art. In the future, I hope to mentor young people, leading them to a better path.
In the STARS program I have gone on many exposure outings. Exposure outings take place at corporations where we learn and observe from professional individuals within the work place. One of the exposure outings that have I enjoyed so far was at Northern Trust Bank. I really like the dynamics in the
organization and they gave me a lot of great tips on work ethic and how to get ready for an interview. I also really enjoyed their advice on teamwork. The STARS experience has definitely opened
some door and shed some new light for me to see what it takes to be successful in this world.
~Angel Cook, age 21
I must say the days are rolling and so are the UCAN STARS. So far, while working in UCAN STARS internship program, I have learned that networking and professionalism is the key to becoming more marketable as well as successful in the workforce. I have learned so many new things in the two
departments in which I work, PFP (Professional Foster Parenting) and development. I encounter new professionals every day and have learned that that professionalism is always connected in every
situation. I was a quiet person when I first started the STARS program in September, but thanks to numerous exposure outings I have found it possible to release my quiet self and to speak highly of
myself and the UCAN STARS. Our exposure outing to The Private Bank was an example of great conversation and I received
something to add to my “tool kit”, a paper copy that read “Nancy’s Top Ten List for Career Success”, a list that can be instrumental in making my way to the top.
Giving back to the community is another very important component of the STARS program. Our group has organized a canned food an hygiene product drive. We gathered all of the collected
donations from the nine UCAN sites and took them to a men’s shelter, The Door of Hope. As an added bonus, every Wednesday I volunteer at the UCAN Academy where I assist and engage in education activities, computer literacy assignments and other educational task with the students in
the first and second grades.
~Tiffany Curry, age 22
Thank you to the 2011UCAN STARS for your hard work and dedication to the STARS program.
Thank you to Christine Buckner for coordinating this newsletter.
The STARS visit with Colleen Bradley at The Private Bank.
Other Exposure Outings have
taken the STARS to: Wm. Wrigley Company
MB Real Estate Northern Trust
Pro Gem Jewelers Fitch Ratings Kraft Foods