City of Fort Myers
P.O. Drawer 2217Fort MyersFL33902
941-332-6671941-338-2289

Program: STARS Program--Success Through Academic and Recreational Support Year Started: 1989 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts Youth Served: 765 Ages: 8-14 Budget: $257,000 The City of Fort Myers police claim a 28 percent drop in juvenile arrests since the inception of the award-winning STARS Program--Success Through Academic and Recreational Support. Held at an expansive recreation complex built in the heart of the cityÌs minority community, STARS provides area youth much-needed recreational and artistic outlets. Once educational abilities and recreational interests are identified, youth are enrolled in a variety of classes, including modern dance, African folk dance, cultural and heritage arts and celebrations, poetry, creative writing and vocal arts. Tutorial programs in math, reading and computers also are available. The classes run in 6 to 10 week segments throughout the year. Participation in STARS is a family affair: Both parents and children must agree to participate in the activities. Children are required to maintain good behavior and at least a C average in school. At the start of the STARS Program, 75 percent of the children were making less than a C average; now 80 percent are making a C average or better.