i.c.stars stands for, and stands behind, these unique individuals, knowing that their success will lift not only their own lives but all those whose lives they touch.
OUR MISSION
i.c.stars works to activate a technology community of change agents to power social and economic freedom. Working with low-income young adults, providing them with employment opportunities and preparing them for community-based advocacy allows us to achieve our social purpose.
A NEW APPROACH
Building on their experiences in education and workforce development, the founders of i.c.stars developed a technology-based curriculum that combined project based training with a broader perspective on community impact and “bigger than you” sense of accountability.
Importantly, their outcomes were five times better than those reported by organizations in the field. Their students were not just more successful at getting and retaining jobs, they were also taking responsibility for lifting others in their communities, helping through various forms of civic engagement to attack the root causes of unemployment.
AN UNTAPPED TALENT POOL
Since 1999, i.c.stars has been identifying, training, and jump-starting technology careers for low-income young adults who, although lacking access to education and employment, demonstrate extraordinary potential for success in the business world and for impact in their communities.We believe that when young adults focus their talent on both technology services and community impact, their success in both increases significantly.
Support Here
Our friends bought this historic home in a town in Indiana with the hopes of renovating it and starting a business there.
An electrical fire started and the family evacuated in the middle of the night.
The town has come out to support them, and we would like to do what we can to help.
If you would like to donate through Ahimsa, click here
For clothing, toy, books and food donations, please contact me to coordinate shipping or pick-up.
~ Laurie Gates
From the GoFundMe page:
“Hello, I'm Carla Sue and like most of the community of Bluffton, I was devastated to watch the fire on Thursday, July 6 ravage the Washington Square building.
The building, located at 123 Marion Street, has been a part of local history and was over 100 years old. It stood next to the Annex and across the street from the downtown library. Most people know that the building was vacant for years, on the market and waiting for its glory to be restored.
What many people do not know is that about six months ago, a family bought the building and moved into it while starting renovations. James and Nancy relocated to Bluffton with their four small children, putting their faith and finances into creating a resource center for mental health and social services.
However, they were met with many barriers with the latest being the building catching on fire, while they were in the home. Fortunately, their family was able to evacuate unharmed.
Unfortunately, they have lost everything. Possessions are merely things and money is fleeting. However, this family is needing help. They are staying at a hotel, which is costly, and needing to continue to meet their daily needs - including food, diapers, etc.
They do not have space to store any extra items, so they are living with bare essentials at this point. Please help them as they go through this difficult time while trying to maintain grace and composure for their four little ones.
All funds raised will go toward helping them pay for the hotel and their day-to-day needs.”