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Xavier Cortada creates "Reach for the Stars" collaborative mural during
S.T.A.R.S. Conference to Help Students with Disabilities

 
 
 
United Way of Palm Beach County

 

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Apr. 17, 2005


 

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United Way and Partners Hold First S.T.A.R.S. Conference to Help Students with Disabilities

 

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:

Dianne Laubert (561) 375-6667

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., April 9, 2005 – The S.T.A.R.S. conference, aimed at helping students with disabilities and their families, was held on Saturday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m – 4:00 p.m. at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport in West Palm Beach. The S.T.A.R.S. (Start Transition and Realize Success) conference is the first of its kind in Palm Beach County. This free conference provided students (ages 13-22), parents, educators, and supports, with information and resources to help students make the transition from grade to grade, and from high school to a life of independence.

There are 23,000 students with special needs who are enrolled in the Exceptional Student Education program in Palm Beach County schools. Like any student, they need guidance to help them achieve in school, plan for college, find a job, and live a productive life. At the S.T.A.R.S. conference, they’ll receive that guidance and learn about Individual Education Plans that can help them make those transitions.

“The S.T.A.R.S. Conference is a community resource fair that offers a full menu of choices for families and students. It will assist them in planning for life. This conference will hopefully give students and families the knowledge and tools they need for their futures," said Randee Gabriel, program director, Parent to Parent, and member of S.T.A.R.S. Planning Committee.

The S.T.A.R.S. conference is an all-day event with several workshops aimed at the needs of students. One workshop focuses on the basics of transition such as what it is and how to do it. Others focus on self-determination, being a leader of your own life, and person-centered planning that helps a student fulfill their dreams which may include post secondary schooling, employment or recreational activities.

A highlight of the conference will be a mural by acclaimed artist Xavier Cortada. The mural will be composed from artwork and drawings created by students who attend the conference. Cortada’s works have been in museums, galleries, and cultural venues around the world. The Miami-based, Cuban-American artist has worked collaboratively with diverse groups across the United States, Latin America, Europe and Africa to create pro-social community murals and participant-driven art projects. He’s also been commissioned to create art for The White House, The World Bank, and the Miami Art Museum. His artwork can be viewed on his Web site at
www.cortada.com.

Cortada’s mural will be unveiled at the closing session of the conference. In the following weeks, the mural will visit locations throughout Palm Beach County, sharing the dreams of exceptional students with the community.

“Xavier Cortada’s works leave a lasting impression. We believe his mural will be powerful in helping us to demonstrate the dreams of students with disabilities. We hope that as the mural travels the community, it will help raise awareness, and help children and their parents realize anything is possible,” said Ed Oppel, chairman, S.T.A.R.S. Planning Committee.

This is the first year for the S.T.A.R.S. conference, and interest to attend has been so high that organizers already know there is a need to hold the conference again.

As a community leader and the father of a son who participates in the school district’s Exceptional Student Education Program, Scott Badesch, president and CEO, United Way of Palm Beach County, knows how important it is to provide guidance to youth with disabilities.

“My son is graduating from high school this year. I wish we would have had the opportunity to attend a conference like this when he was younger. Parents need someone to help them navigate the system,” Badesch explained. “With 320 people attending the conference, we are at full capacity. Unfortunately we’ve had to stop taking registrations. This just demonstrates the need to provide assistance and resources to students with disabilities. With community support, we could offer this conference next year, and have more attend. That’s our hope.”

The S.T.A.R.S. conference is a project of United Way of Palm Beach County’s Real Choice Partnership project, part of its Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities impact area. The impact area is focused on helping adults with disabilities have transportation where and when they need it, maintain their living situation of choice, and have safe, meaningful and productive daytime activities.

Partners in the S.T.A.R.S. conference are United Way of Palm Beach County, Arc of Palm Beach County/Parent to Parent, Coalition for Independent Living Options, Family Care Council – District Nine, Florida Rehabilitation Council, Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, School District of Palm Beach County, and parent advocates. The S.T.A.R.S. Conference was made possible through the generous contributions and support of Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group, Palm Beach County Children’s Services Council, Family Care Council – District Nine, and Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization. Community sponsors of the raffle prizes include Air Tran, Solace Spa, Outback Steakhouse, Palm Beach Zoo, Jungle Queen, 2 George’s, Tony Javerone with Smith Barney.

United Way of Palm Beach County targets the community’s most pressing needs and focuses resources, agency partnerships and the energy of volunteers to create measurable results that have the greatest impact. To invest, volunteer, or for more information, call United Way of Palm Beach County at (561) 375-6600 or visit www.unitedwaypbc.org.

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Xavier Cortada has exhibited his works in museums, galleries, and cultural venues around the world and has pioneered the use of the Internet in collaborative art-making. The Miami-based Cuban-American artist, attorney, and activist has worked collaboratively with diverse groups across the United States, Latin America, Europe and Africa to create pro-social community murals and participant-driven art projects. 

Cortada has created art for:

The White House
The World Bank
The Florida Capitol
The Florida Supreme Court
Miami-Dade County Juvenile Courthouse
Miami-Dade Art in Public Places
Miami Art Museum
World AIDS Conferences
Nike

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