Mission Statement
The mission of S.T.A.R. - Stand Together and Recover Centers is to provide for the basic needs of adults diagnosed with a mental illness in Maricopa County while improving their quality of life through non-clinical peer-run services.

Empowering the Adult with a Mental Illness.

Statement of Philosophy
We believe in empowerment, self-education and peer support. We believe that S.T.A.R. - Stand Together and Recover Centers is an organization where recipients can achieve personal growth while helping others do the same.

Vision Statement
Our dream is for adults living with a mental illness to live independently and usefully, to the best of their ability, giving them the tools to succeed in everyday life.

Peer Support:
It is as simple as a one-on-one discussion or as active as a group session. All members and most employees are service recipients. All peer support is always from the SMI perspective. Groups take place in a non-threatening atmosphere. Current events, nutrition, trivia, stress management and “Why we take our meds” are all topics covered in peer support groups. There are a minimum of five different peer groups available everyday.

STAR’s peer process allows us to help each other achieve our goals. We are all in recovery, just in different stages. STAR’s goal is for each member to move forward in their recovery to reach their goals, whether that goal is getting a job or just getting out of bed every day.

Education:
STAR believes in life long learning. Education isn’t just a degree, it is an understanding of life and goals. The centers all include a lending library and open computer labs. Some of the classes available are Basic Computers, Math, Creative Writing, Basic Reading Skills, Pre-GED, Spanish as a Second Language, Hygiene, and Housekeeping. STAR also has Double Trouble in Recovery Groups at some locations in addition to a variety of educational resources.

Recreation & Socialization:
Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, socialization skills are not always evident in our member’s lives. STAR members can sign up for field trips to local recreation, entertainment and events. STAR also encourages socialization through weekly Game Day and Monthly Socials where we give out prizes for participation. Arts and Crafts are offered one to two days a week at each center. We have board games, cards, puzzles and either fooseball or a pool table at each center.

Nutrition:
Meals are served at each Recovery Center. It is STAR’s aim to ensure that all meals are well balanced. Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks are served five days a week. STAR also offers an on–the-job training program in food service through SOONer Than Later Distinctive Catering.

Food Share, Clothing and Household Items:
STAR’s food share program and clothing closet are operated at each center. Personal hygiene products are available once a month. STAR members shop with STAR Dollars earned through their participation in the daily upkeep of the clubhouse. STAR Dollars are also used for the quarterly auction. Approximately once every three months an auction is held for household goods that have been donated. Previous auctions have contained a fan, a coffeemaker, rugs, pillows and kitchen supplies.

STAR Central also has a shower and laundry facilities available.

An Abbreviated History
Survivors Educating Loving Friends and Family (S.E.L.F.F.) was founded in 1994 and served the adult mentally ill population of the East Valley within Maricopa County. Survivors On Our owN of Arizona, Inc. (S.O.O.N.), founded in 1987, served central Phoenix and in 2005, opened a second clubhouse in Avondale, Arizona to better serve the population in western Maricopa County.

Both recovery centers mirrored each other in many ways and in November, 2007 both Board of Directors voted unanimously to merge together to form a larger Community Service Agency (C.S.A.) with a new C.E.O. and a new name.

Both companies joined together under the dba of S.T.A.R. - Stand Together And Recover Centers, which is now the largest peer run recovery program in the Maricopa County RBHA. Both Board of Directors merged together to form one new board, with one C.E.O. Under the new agency, the catering company that started in 2007 has expanded significantly and new programs for all centers are forming.

Some of the new programs proposed are a gently used furniture program for eligible people that receive behavioral health services, and several food prep programs: a two-tiered independent living skills food program. All three recovery centers have computer labs and reading, writing, math, and G.E.D. class tutoring available. We serve nearly 3000 meals each month and continue to provide food share and clothing to all in need. S.T.A.R. centers will always continue to work with peers to serve the current and future needs within our community.