The Silver Starfish Campaign supports the Student Parenting Program's endowment fund operated by Erie Community Foundation. By helping us with a tax deductible gift today we can support our young parents for years to come! Click here to Make A Difference now!


Why do we need a campaign?
We are having this campaign for several reasons. First, to honor those who believed in keeping this program in operation for 25 years. Second, to celebrate our students that work hand in hand with us to achieve their goals and dreams. Last, we want to build a safety net for our future. By being fiscally responsible and proactive in building our endowment, we will be able to carry on our mission when funding challenges arise.
What is the goal of our campaign?
There are different goals we would like to achieve for this campaign. Our funding goal is to build our endowment so we can sustain the program on reliable, secure funds. If we diversify our funding so we have a better balance between grant and non-grant funding, we will be able to provide consistent services for students for years to come. Another goal is make connections and relationships with past program participants. We want to build a network so current program participants have mentors who have been in similar positions in hopes of fostering ongoing positive support for our students. Our last goal is to raise positive awareness in the community about our Program and share how we advocate for young parents.
Save the Date!
Our signature event and kick-off will be on Friday, September 27, 2013, at the Bel Aire Conference Center.
Remember. . .
We are in the planning stages of this campaign. We are creating our plan now so when we “kick-off” our campaign we will all be well versed in speaking about the campaign’s goals and the program’s accomplishments.
“Silver” symbolizes 25 years!
“Starfish” represents the difference we make
in the lives of our “at promise” students and their families.
This “Campaign” will support our Student Parenting Program Endowment Fund.
CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Our planning committee meetings continue as we secure gift basket donations for the chinese auction, order decorations, and begin taping testimonials. We are in the midst of finalinizing our invitations in the hope of sending them by the end of July. The following help is needed to prepare for our signature event on Friday, September 27, 2013. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
-
Solicitation for Major Sponsors
-
Solicitation for Gift Basket Donations
-
Connect with Students / Past Program Participants for Testimonials
-
Type Invitee Names / Addresses
Next Committe Planning Meeting
To Be Announced
Know someone who may be able to help us with our event and/or campaign? Please have them contact Laura Salamonsen at (814)874-6145.

The Starfish Story
There was a young man walking down a deserted beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a frail old man. As he approached the old man, he saw him picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. The young man gazed in wonder as the old man again and again threw the small starfish from the sand to the water. He asked him, “Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?” The old man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. “But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish,” exclaimed the young man, “How can your effort make any difference?” The old man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea he said,
“It makes a difference to this one.”
— Adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren C. Eiseley