May Thank You 2020

Kids are discouraged.

They need hope.

Those two sentences have possibly never been truer than they are today…at least in our lifetime’s, and in the 35 years Daystar has been in ministry.

As the weeks have passed during this epidemic, our counselors have been continuing to care for kids and families via zoom. We’ve been so grateful for the advances in technology that have enabled us to do this. In the beginning, it was encouraging to see the anxiety so many kids had been dealing with pre-pandemic fall away. They were home—away from the pressures that have become all too pervasive in our culture. They were enjoying time with family. They were frustrated with, but mustering up creativity in the boredom. We honestly saw kids who were more contented and families who were connected than we had in years.

 Recently, however, things have changed. Summer plans are cancelling. Kids are moving into what is, in their lives, besides Christmas, probably the most anticipated season—without anticipation. Most don’t have summer vacations to look forward to anymore. Camps are being postponed at best, cancelled at worst. And we’re seeing it in their faces and hearing it in their voices on the other end of the zoom calls. 

Kids are discouraged.

They need hope.

We are honestly not sure of our summer plans at Daystar, either. We are, like our entire world, trying to balance prioritizing physical health for our children and families and mental health. The reason we are able to do so is you. It is our intent to have Hopetown this summer, knowing that—in non-pandemic years, it is the highlight of many kids’ entire year, according to parents. We want those kids to have room to stretch their legs and enlarge their hearts as we worship and discover together under Melissa’s teaching. With much sadness but confidence, we have decided to cancel all Daystar Day Camps for Summer 2020. Thankfully, Hopetown can have numbers under 50, which keeps us in a safer zone in terms of physical health. We also have started to meet with kids and families in the Daystar house, with guidelines in place that help to create social distancing boundaries, yet still offer the warmth and connectedness that comes in person in our beloved yellow house.

 What we do know, however, is that we can continue to offer Zoom and in-person counseling. One way or another, we can see a child’s face and be a reminder that there is hope. We can hear a parent’s frustration and remind them of all that they are doing that is good and right and matters for their child. We can continue to speak the truth of who they are in the midst of this uncertain time, and the hope that they are not alone, whether they’re 6 or 60.

Thank you for your generosity to Daystar. It always makes a difference. But, we can see every day through our screens the light that it really does bring to the hearts and homes of these kids and their families. We couldn’t do it without you. And we are grateful for your prayers as we move forward into this summer season.

Sincerely,

The Daystar Staff

In Loving Memory of Michael Jones

The name Daystar comes from the verse in 2 Peter 1:19 about “a light shining in a dark place.” Anyone who knew Michael Jones knew he was one of those lights during his time on earth.

Michael literally had a smile that lit up a room. He would saunter in, walk right up to you, flash his smile and make you feel like you were the most important person in the world to him at that moment. He had a gift for warming and inviting others with the light that Jesus had placed inside of him from an early age.

Michael got involved in Daystar in 6th grade and we had the honor of walking alongside him through his senior year, and then on into college when he was an intern with Hopetown. He was helping us lead younger kids while he was still very much a kid himself. He would saunter up to them with that same trademark warmth and smile and speak such truth and hope about how deeply God loved each and every child he encountered.

In his few years at Daystar, Michael literally impacted the lives of hundreds of kids—and a whole lot of grown-ups, too…us included.

Those of us who have had the privilege to know Michael will never forget him…his smile, his warmth, his laugh, and the light that you couldn’t help but know came from Jesus. Heaven got a little bit brighter this week, and earth a little dimmer for having lost him. But we will certainly always remember—and be grateful for having known the light that was and is Michael Jones.

Michael was a faithful and generous friend and supporter of Daystar throughout his life. Donate here if you’d like to give a gift in his honor.

With great hope,
The Daystar Staff

February 2020 Thank You

“Ironically, the most bright and cheerful house Nashville has ever seen contains the most broken and tragic stories of loss, desperation, or fear. However, counseling has the power to bring hope and healing to the darkest of places. Counseling has been a huge part of my story and I wouldn’t be who I am today without the wisdom and guidance the people at Daystar have given me. Volunteering at the place I am so passionate about reminds me of all the reasons why I want to continue to be a part of Daystar’s ministry.

It’s not the house itself that makes me love Daystar, though it is truly the most wonderful place through and through, but rather the people who are inside. There you’ll find twenty-five staff members who all have the same goal: to soften, shape, and strengthen the hearts of each and every client that walks through the door. The warmth of the house and the friendliness of the staff alone could soften any heart. The heart is then carefully shaped by the incredible counselors who are not afraid to ask the tough questions in order to help clients realize who they are meant to be, and who are willing to meet them in their brokenness. Lastly, the heart is strengthened through opportunities such as group therapy, where community is built on encouragement and relationship. I have never felt more understood, loved, and known than I do at the little yellow house, and I have seen significant personal growth since I started going. My desire is to be a counselor one day because I have been deeply impacted by Daystar’s ministry as a client. I came to Daystar feeling broken and wounded, but through the guidance from gifted counselors who listened and cared enough to ask the tough questions, I was able to move towards healing. I want to leave that same impact on others and give back to the community that has meant so much to my own personal journey. Daystar is a unique place where I have been both a client and a volunteer and have grown equally from both experiences.”

These words were written by a high school student who’s currently involved with Daystar. We are humbled by her words. But, even moreso, aware that she’s missing an important truth in these words. She already is impacting others in profound ways. Melissa started Daystar with the motto, “one life touching another.” This young girl is doing it daily—as she volunteers, participates in groups, and simply smiles and speaks to other children (and our staff) in the halls.

We are grateful—for her—for the 1700 families who are hopefully receiving, but also touching others in our little yellow house. And we’re profoundly grateful for your support that helps to make it all possible.

Gratefully, 

The Daystar Staff

January 2020 Thank You

For those of us who have been working with kids for years now, there are a few trends we’re seeing today. One that we would all equivocally say at Daystar is that we have never seen the amount of kids—teenagers, in particular, who are struggling with loneliness. 

Maybe it’s social media, and how they have traded audience for community. Maybe it’s the pressure they’re under to over-achieve in every area and activity—thus, less time for relationships. Regardless, we’re hearing more kids talk about longing for deeper connection, and less kids who are experiencing that very thing.

“I just don’t feel like I have anyone my age who understands me—except you guys.”

“The holidays were okay—good time with my family. I just have been counting down the days till group started back up.”

“You guys know—you get me.”

Our staff was reminded this week as the kids made their way back to groups after the long break. They greeted each other with questions, such as “How was your first Christmas with your parents’ separated?” “Did you get anxious over the holidays?” And more. They remember. And ask. And connect in ways that so many kids don’t get to experience in our culture today.

Kids impact kids. We all know that truth. And often, we see that work against the kids we love. But group counseling at Daystar is one of the places we see groups help kids feel that sense of being known, connected, and loved regardless.

We wish every kid across the country had a safe place to share their hearts and lives with others their age. We’re grateful to have been able to provide a safe place within the walls of our little yellow house since 1985. And we’re so very grateful for your support that enables those groups—and that support to continue. 

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff

April Thank You 2019

“Mom, group was awesome tonight!”

“What did you all do?”, this mom of a 5th grade boy asked her son when she picked him up from Daystar.

“We drew hearts. In them, we put different colors that stood for different emotions, taking up however much of our hearts we feel those emotions right now.”

“That’s so cool. What was it like hearing about the other boys’ hearts?”

(By the way, we love that this mom asked this question. Digging deeper…not the obvious…and prompting empathy and awareness in her middle school son.) 

“It was so cool. I NEVER HAD ANY IDEA that other guys felt like I do. I never knew other guys my age are afraid of being lonely. Or afraid of being stuck in a locker, too.”

That’s it. That sentence right there is why we have group counseling at Daystar and have since the very beginning. Kids impact kids. They hear each other’s voices so loudly. They make a difference in each other’s lives. And to know that someone else feels like we do helps us feel less lonely, less afraid, and more secure—and just more okay with who we are and how we feel—than we would have ever felt otherwise. 5th graders or 50 year olds. 

Thank you for being a part of our ministry. Thank you for helping us help kids know they’re not alone. We’re so grateful for you. And grateful to join you in bringing hope to so many families and kids of all ages.

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff