Spring Stardust updates 🌻

Published: Mon, 04/06/20

H A P P Y S P R I N G !

• Thursday, April 2, 2020 •

Dear ,

Our hope is that you and your families are safe and in good health.

While we're all spending more time at home these days, Jean and I thought we would give you a few updates on what's been happening at Stardust.

• • •

An innovative method for PTSD recovery in Florida

Back in December, our Board of Directors approved an extra project for funding. We loved this one so much we could not pass up the opportunity to help out!

Service Recovery Strategies (SRS) is a nonprofit in the Tampa Bay, Florida area dedicated to providing aquatic tank systems to veterans, nurses, police, firemen and all first responders with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to aid in their recovery.

Their activities have positive social impact–care for fish and corals is an innovative way to reduce stress in individuals with PTSD–and positive environmental impact–the “frags” of corals their members grow are harvested and placed in the Gulf of Mexico to stimulate natural coral reef regrowth.

Learn more about what Stardust's grant provided

• • •

We received 61 applications for Spring 2020

For those who sent in submissions this funding cycle, thank you! We are in the review process now: organizing folders, conferring with subject matter experts, sending in questions, and preparing for our (virtual, as always) Advisory Board meeting set for April 19th.

For our 2020 giving campaign, instead of asking for donations to Stardust in general and in light of COVID-19, we're going to be giving you the opportunity to give to one of the top 3 projects we've selected for funding this spring. Your money goes to a specific initiative that you choose and you get to see the impact you've directly made by following their progress through our channels. Stay tuned!

• • •

New staff has joined the Stardust team

During Jean's visit to McGill University's nonprofit fair back in January, she was able to recruit some passionate students to join our team.

A N T H O N Y

U B A H

Social Media Manager

E L E O N O R E

B R O C A R T

Writer & Newsletter

C O L I N

W A R D

Writer

Anthony has been posting on our social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) regularly since January. We're so grateful for his efforts in spreading the word about Stardust and various topics we value! Read his bio on our team page...

Eléonore had been studying business management abroad in Brisbane but had to very recently return to Montreal because of the pandemic situation. Her first Constellation newsletter went out in March. She wrote a wonderful blog article on breaking the taboo around menstruation.

Colin is not a student anymore; he's a digital content strategist for Larkspur-RiXtrema, and writes for Stardust on the side! He is happy to be able to explore ideas more related to the environment and social issues. Check out his LinkedIn...

And a few more interns will be joining us starting in May!

• • •

Much love during this difficult time,

Camille Babington &
L. Jean Palmer-Moloney

Co-founders of The Stardust-Startup Factory

www.starduststartupfactory.org

info@starduststartupfactory.org