Starburst Inspirations, Inc.
Jan Fowler’s Nonprofit Charity
“A Vision of Hope and Encouragement”
In 2002, Jan Fowler founded Starburst Inspirations, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to support Redlands Drug Court. Since that date, Starburst has sponsored twenty-five fundraising luncheons for the purpose of benefiting men and women going through Drug Court’s 18-month outpatient treatment program. Many of the Drug Court participants are working to establish the trust of the court in order to regain custody of children who have been taken from them and placed in foster care. All luncheons to benefit participants have been held at Redlands Country Club, Redlands, CA, and have featured musical entertainment and keynote speakers who offer upbeat inspiring messages.
To date, Starburst has made more than 50 deliveries of donated stylish-used clothing for Drug Court participants to either wear to work or school since the court mandates them to do one or the other. Jan Fowler has helped to make the Drug Court location inviting by painting a room where participants meet together for daily counseling sessions and mandatory group activities.
Since 2002, Starburst Inspirations has also provided holiday party celebrations and contributions of Christmas gifts for the children of drug court participants–many of whom had never before enjoyed a party. And in other instances, Starburst provided financial assistance to participants with special medical or domestic needs.
Melody Fleming, Returning speaker by popular demand
Starburst has also sponsored catered “Celebration Breakfasts”—complete with balloons, flowers, and an omelet bar—at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of graduation to recognize and honor all the participants graduating from Treatment Court that evening. Drug Court has sponsored forty-five graduation ceremonies for Drug Court participants since Judge Patrick Morris brought the court to CA in 1996. Ceremonies are held at 6:00 p.m. at Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center once or twice a year, and provide recipients the chance to receive certificates of recognition, as well as to give their personal testimonials and express appreciation for all the guidance provided which helped them turn their lives around.
DRUG COURT SUCCESS:
Nearly 700 people have graduated from Drug Court’s 18-month outpatient treatment program. Drug Court success rate is in the mid to high 80% compared with residential treatment programs which score in the low 50% range. Drug court participants have benefited their local community by giving back more than 12,000 hours of community service. The Drug Court cost is $3500 for each client–$1000 of which is paid by the client—compared to $24,000 per year for incarceration. In instances where babies are born drug-addicted, the cost to the U. S. is $250,000 over their lifetime.
Kathleen Ronald (standing), Speaker. Seated is Susan Ullrich, board member, Jan Fowler, board president, & Janelle Woodward, board member.
~ STARBURST INSPIRATIONS EXPANDS PURPOSE & OUTREACH to COMMUNITY ~
As the result of increasing awareness of other worthy causes and needs which exist within the community and beyond, Starburst recently decided to expand its purpose. Please note that in April 2015, the Starburst Inspirations articles of incorporation were amended to read as follows:
Starburst Inspirations, Inc. provides inspirational programs, educational materials, and financial support and activities which promote quality of life and living at its best for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
The Governing Body of this organization shall be the Board of Directors, herein referred to as the Board, which is comprised of three to nine appointed members who will serve in an advisory capacity, and who will meet biannually.
This means that Starburst has expanded its purpose and outreach. In addition to its ongoing commitment to support Redlands Drug Court, Starburst Inspirations will now promote quality of life for others, including but not limited to:
(1) Senior Citizens by providing them with books, columns, speakers, and radio and television programming for the purpose of inspiring them to expand their vision for their lives physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
(2) Boomers who are preparing for retirement
(3) Young people who lack food, shelter, clothing, or education
(4) The homeless population