Fort Worth, Texas STAR Sponsorship Program, Inc. was created in 1993. It works to enhance the well-being of economically disadvantaged children of elementary-school age in Tarrant County. Just as many states nationwide are promoting education as an engine for socioeconomic change, nearly 25 years ago our founders had a vision that education is a catalyst for drastically improving the lives of low-income students. STAR provides partial tuition scholarships, mentoring support, and access to a network of community enrichment opportunities to financially underprivileged children. Our program helps ease the financial burden of their families while giving the children a pathway to rise above their circumstances. This is done in a model of high parent engagement and student accountability. We work with the students starting in the early and elementary-school age groups, encouraging them toward short-term and long-term success. An overwhelming majority of STAR program alumni are in high school, have graduated from high school, are attending college, or have graduated from college. Many have gone on to receive post-graduate degrees and professional opportunities. Over the years, STAR has grown significantly in its capacity to serve the at-risk population of children in our local areas. Today, nearly $18 million of partnership funding for these students has been generated by program donors, schools, and the children's families.