Star-C, Education Program Paired with Affordable Housing

East of Atlanta, Georgia, lives Willow Branch Apartment Homes. This affordable housing community was built in the early 70s and has been dubbed one of the most diverse areas in the country. It also was an area high in crime – but not anymore. Willow Branch hosts Star-C – an after-school academic program for the kids that live there. Founded by Marjy Stagmeier, this non-profit is part of a three-way model, knit together with housing and medical programs. “She’s creating a long-term, sustainable paradigm in multifamily housing that will pay dividends to our community for years to come,” Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry told Nationswell. In tandem with housing and academic help, the community also has access to affordable health care and a community gardening program.  

  Through fundraising and a particularly dedicated staff of volunteers, Star-C helps about 300 kids under age 10 with their academics. Many of these kids are refugees just learning English, yet they’re earning an average of a 3.25 GPA. Of nearly four dozen families that live in Willow Branch, 16 were able to purchase their own homes last year. Crime has dropped dramatically, “That’s going from poverty to mobility. That’s what we do here,” Stagmeier told Nationswell. Star-C at Willow Branch has been so successful, Stagmeier is planning ton expanding the program into a neighboring community that is also struggling with academic performance. Soon, it just may become nationwide. Feature photo: Star-C Facebook