Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
Empowering Women, Families, and Youth since 1999

Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arts and culture corporation whose mission is to empower women, families, and youth through improved literacy, tools for living, and positive message media.

 

Be the Star You Are!® collects, distributes, and promotes books as well as produces positive message radio programs with a mission of increasing literacy, decreasing violence, raising life skills, self-worth, and self-esteem.  This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance covering every aspect of life, from abuse through money management, health, environmental stewardship, relationships, parenting, business skills, art, music and entertainment. Be the Star You Are!® is proud of the success of its many outreach programs.

 

Be the Star You Are!® promotes the creed, “Read, Lead, Succeed!” by writing and publishing inspirational books and book reviews, and broadcasting two internationally uplifting, life-changing, positive radio programs, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® an upbeat healthy lifestyle show and Express Yourself!™ giving teens a voice. Young people are taught to be confident, authentic reporters and writers. Both programs bring to the airwaves authors, artists, actors, activists, poets, musicians, entrepreneurs, experts, and the pioneers on the planet who are making a positive contribution to our world through their creative endeavors.

 

Be the Star You Are!® saves trees through its book recycling programs by rescuing and redistributing many of the millions of unsold or damaged books that are shredded and burned each year. Being a conscientious steward of the earth is important to the organization.

 

Besides helping the less fortunate of our communities and country, a main goal of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 is to help each volunteer grow into a leader who cares, shares, and is fair. Volunteers are guided, mentored, and tutored into becoming the stars they were born to be. BTSYA helps our volunteers strive for excellence and achieve their dreams. We communicate, collaborate, and innovate.

 

"You are such an inspiration!!! A rare diamond and the most influential mentor I’ve ever had. You’re a beacon of light that I aspire to inch closer to every day. It’s amazing to see you extending your reach and resources globally." Henna Hundal, Chief Operator at Harvard Radio

 

Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fund-raising events.  Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non-Profits.

Visit our BTSYA Creative Community at www.BTSYA.org.

 

"Of my volunteer organizations, Be the Star You Are is definitely my favorite. It’s unique in that it helps you as much as you help others through it." Katie Choo, Teen Volunteer

 

Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.

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Watch our video as we awarded The Nonprofit of the Year!

 

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Be the Star You Are!® is a registered trademark.

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“I’m thankful to you for using your voice to benefit charities.” Jennifer Skiff, CNN correspondent, Author, Rescuing Ladybugs

 

Welcome to our STAR Galaxy!

 

What is Literacy?

Literacy is the ability to read and write. Literacy is a critical factor in enjoying a happy and prosperous life. When someone is illiterate, he/she will have difficulty getting a job, filling out forms, and functioning. Over 10 million Americans have reached the 12th grade in the past three decades without being able to read or write. The cost of illiteracy to American taxpayers is $415 billion per year for crime, loss of tax revenue, unemployment, welfare, and government assistance. forty-four million adults in the United States are illiterate and each year that number increases by two and a half million people. Fifty million American adults are limited to a fourth or fifth-grade reading level. Between forty-six and fifty-one percent of American adults are below the individual threshold of poverty because of their inability to read. Illiteracy is a growing epidemic causing irreparable damage to our society. Low literacy and communication skills have been identified in studies as major contributors to general conduct disorders, psychiatric disorders, criminal behavior, and adolescent suicide. 85% of the young people in juvenile detention centers and 75% of prison inmates are illiterate. The #1 reason for illiteracy in the United States is the lack of access to books. In low-income neighborhoods, the average is one book per 300 people. With your help, Be the Star You Are!® will change these statistics by donating brand new books to those in need. A child will be exposed to over one million words per year with just 15 minutes of reading per day. Want to know how to raise a reader? Join our literacy campaign at Be the Star You Are!® Together we can make a difference. Check out videos made by volunteers at www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare

 

Everyone counts.

 

 "To be a leader, you must be a reader! Read, lead, succeed!"  Cynthia Brian