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

"By collecting and distributing books, Be the Star You Are!® impacts and benefits many and I am honored to represent such a charitable organization."Catherine Baker, Assemblywoman, 16th District, California

"Thank you again for your generosity and compassion for hurricane relief. It is efforts just like this that redefine the term “neighbor,” and we are so blessed to have neighbors like you!" Northwest Assistance Ministries, Houston, Texas

“Thank you so much Be the Star You Are!® We greatly appreciate all you have done to help our schools and the children affected by the tornadoes.” Joplin, Missouri

"You are definitely a woman who truly knows what it takes to touch the lives of thousands of teen lives. You totally rock!!! Thanks a gazillion!” Difference Makers, California

"Our warmest appreciation for the generous donation of new books. We are truly grateful for your support to prevent child abuse enabling us to better serve the children to create a safer environment.” Child Abuse Prevention Council

"We believe that what you do for these young teens makes a big difference not only to their lives but the whole society!"Susan and Sal Captain, Captain Vineyards, California

"Thanks to your donation of books, this season was brighter for our kids. Your generosity helps brighten hundreds of lives.” Chilrden's Hospital

Thank you for the very generous donation of books received for our lifeskills class. As a result of the state budget crisis our students do not have access to supplemental educational resources, materials and supplies.And for this reason, your gift is even more special to the deserving children who will benefit from using the books.” Learning Centers, Los Angeles

"The youngsters we provide service to would like to say “thank you” for your very generous donation of new books.  It means a great deal to these children to be remembered, and your donation is often the only gift the children have ever received. Our hope is that your act of kindness will help generate good deeds in them." Shannon Grosenheider, Juvenile Hall Auxiliary. Martinez, California

“Thank you for your donations of fantastic books. The clients love the books. We rely on contributions like yours to provide economically disadvantaged women transitioning from welfare to help them find a job which helps them to achieve economic self-sufficiency.“ Wardrobe for Opportunity

“By providing books, Be the Star You Are! has increased literacy for our new low income homeowners. Many do not have access to libraries and you are improving their reading skills. Thanks a lot for the helpful books.” Habitat for Humanity

"Thank you, again, for all your help with the books for the Camp for Foster Children. This is going to make a very big difference to a bunch of kids who have very little to call their own.” Melanie Hunter, Project Administrator, Northern California

"In times when most just give teens electronic devices and have them figure out what life means, I think BTSYA is an amazing program offering the teens a greater chance to become full-grown and critical citizens.: Andy Scheck, Publisher, Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper

"I just wanted to thank you again for your help. The opportunity and your guidance have been extremely helpful and rewarding to me, especially with a motivation to read again during the pandemic. Your help with the supervisor review was also greatly appreciated." Matt Zhang, volunteer, Canada

"Thank you for being a light in the world! I love the work you are doing."  Michele Neff Hernandez, CEO Soaring Spirits, Int.

Congratulations on winning the award for Nonprofit of the Year. It is a testimony to all the hard work inspiration and enthusiasm you have poured into BTSYA since the start. Nora Nordan, Norway

"What a great group you have around you, Cynthia.  I was so impressed with how poised and articulate the kids were, most speaking with no notes! They inspired me." Ellen Beans, Editor, Moraga Citizens Network

" Cynthia, it was a real pleasure to visit with your outstanding group. As we said to your crew on the way out, “we feel much better about the future of the U.S.” You have a wonderful program." Larry Tessler, S.C.O.R.E.