Our Vision:
to their highest potential”
“A world inspiring all children
Our Mission: To provide uplifting entertainment for children of color where they see
people that look like themselves role-modeling positive values and attributes, that
ignite sparks of aspirations to overcome adversity and succeed; to promote reading;
and to encourage multicultural understanding and appreciation.
A Nonprofit In Need
Is Another Child Reached
Every Dollar Donated
The media is full of stories of the negatives associated with life
in Chicago – from violence to gangs and beyond. You can help us
promote the positives by giving in any amount to our mission.
Welcome to You Are A Star NFP
Dreams Do Come True
Showing Children of Color
We’re an organization with a lofty goal – to make all children equal in the eyes
of the community, the school system, and the media.
You Are A Star NFP
That Lights the Way to Success
Igniting the Inner Spark
Everything we do is aimed toward showing children of color
that their dreams come true through belief in themselves.
Welcome to You Are A Star NFP
Is What We’re Here For
Making A Difference
We work hard to ensure that every child of color in Chicago knows
someone in the community cares for their present and future.
A Nonprofit In Need
Is Another Child Reached
Every Dollar Donated
The media is full of stories of the negatives associated with life
in Chicago – from violence to gangs and beyond. You can help us
promote the positives by giving in any amount to our mission.
You Are A Star NFP
That Lights the Way to Success
Igniting the Inner Spark
Everything we do is aimed toward showing children of color
that their dreams come true through belief in themselves.
You Are A Star NFP
That Lights the Way to Success
Igniting the Inner Spark
Everything we do is aimed toward showing children of color
that their dreams come true through belief in themselves.
Mission
Our mission at You Are A Star is exactly what our name implies – to make every child feel special and reach for their dreams.
.
Programs
A staged production, with real-life actors, can reach children in ways other mediums simply can’t match.
Resources
Our resources page provides links to production videos and information relevant to our mission and our organization’s future.
Support
We simply couldn’t do what we do without you, so please take a moment and give a gift. Help us show children of color that society does care for them.
How You Can
Get Involved
You Are A Star NFP is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging children, especially those of color, to reach for their dreams. Through community outreach in schools and churches, You Are A Star brings stories full of people of color doing extraordinary, and even magical, things to life right on stage in an interactive and inspirational production. These are people the children can identify with and model their behavior after. These stories highlight the inherent good in all people, but especially the goodness so often overlooked in areas where many of these children reside. Our focus, in fact our entire reason for being, is to put examples for children of color to emulate right in front of their little faces. By staging plays in schools and churches, we’re able to tale the remote away, remove the mouse entirely, and get the children to escape with us to magical and fantastical places where empowerment and inspiration go hand-in-hand. Keep reading to learn more about us, about what we do and why, and get involved on some level today!
You Are A Star in numbers
Some Statistics
Meet Our Directors
The Dream Team
Will Crutcher
Founder
Barbara Wahler, LCSW
Managing Director
Ernest Kinnison
Multimedia/Tech Director
Quotes from the Team
Our Directors’ Own Thoughts
Will Crutcher
“We do all we can to ensure each and every at-risk child in Chicago knows there are people out there who care and want to see them grow into happy, healthy adults.”
Founder
StorytellerBarbara Wahler
“It’s more than just helping where you can – it’s giving in a way you’re passionate about, that moves you as much as it helps the children. That’s You Are A Star NFP.”
Volunteer Coordinator
StorytellerErnest Kinnison
“When you get the chance to see the kids’ faces light up, when you see them react to a hero in a fairy tale with such energy and enthusiasm, you realize you’re a part of something special – very, very special.”
Multimedia Coordinator
StorytellerWe Need Your Help
Ways to Get Involved
Be A Star For Kids!
Chicago is one of the nation’s largest cities and in the news quite a bit over the last few years – all for negative aspects of life here. Much of that negative coverage has been centered on the very neighborhoods these children call home. When you donate your time and money, you’re sending a message of love to the children who need it most right here in our community.
Be An Ebony One!
Our mission depends wholly on the efforts of our volunteers – from before the show until long after it’s finished. They assist with setting up and breaking down staging, maintaining costumes and puppets on an ongoing basis, and performing onstage as puppeteer, prop master, or actor. Volunteers also record performances so children can watch on our website.
Help Us Help Children!
As a nonprofit in Chicago, You Are A Star is always looking for people to help us in our mission. Whether by volunteering behind the scenes, acting onstage, or helping with fundraising, there’s always something you can do to help us reach our goals. We accept donations which are completely tax deductible. We accept donated items we can use to put on our shows and much more.
In order to keep delivering our message of hope and empowerment to the children of Chicago, and one day beyond, we need every bit of support we can get from the good people of Chicago, Illinois, and the world. Each and every donation we receive goes to better our productions, clarify our messaging, and further our reach within the city’s schools and churches. Aside from minor administrative costs, every dollar we receive goes directly to fuel the aspirations of children of color throughout the Chicagoland area. Please, if you can, take a moment to give a gift, any gift, and we’ll be sure it goes to inspiring the youth we all depend on for our future. It’s the very best of causes.
You Are A Star, Too!
What We Can Do Together
For many Americans, giving is second nature. We give of ourselves at work, at home, and, if we still have...
What It Means to Be 501(c)(3)
501(c)(3) organizations, like You Are A Star NFP, exist to help solve some of the world’s most daunting issues. They...
A Range of Volunteer Opportunities
We go into schools and churches around Chicago and use our storytelling to empower young children through interactive entertainment – all about people who look like they do.
We Accept Donated Items
As an organization that focuses on entertaining children in order to deliver what we feel is an important message, we...
Will Crutcher – Founder
Born and raised in Chicago – graduate of Northwestern and DePaul Law School.
Mr. Crutcher was born on the south side of Chicago, in what today is known as the “hood”, but worked his way out of his circumstances through dedication and hard work. He received his MBA from Northwestern University before going on to DePaul Law School. Will spent years in corporate America before launching his own line of African American skin care products.
You Are A Star NFP was born from a dream Will had wherein he saw children of color whisked away to a magical land called YesYouCan. Our stage productions come directly from, or are directly influenced by, the message contained in that dream.
