Local Business, Global Impact

Martin, Tennessee, is a town with a population of around 11,475. It’s known for its annual Tennessee Soybean Festival and for the University of Tennessee at Martin. If you drive down University Street, you’ll go right through the university, pass by Sammie’s (an aptly-named sandwich shop), and mosey by several boutiques and small shops. It’s a small, charming place. Locals support the UTM Skyhawks and the Westview High School Chargers and eat at The Grind.

The Star Center: A Listening Ear for the Community

“We help any person with any disability realize their potential.” Star Center President Dave Bratcher’s summary of the non-profit is simple, but a tour of the facility will quickly show just how far it reaches into the community. Since their start in 1988, they have grown into a thriving center serving a wide range of clientele by listening to the needs of the community.

StoriesCourtney SearcySeptember 8, 2016Jackson TN, Tennessee, Courtney Searcy, Star Center, non-profit, Dave Bratcher, disability, education, students, children, kids, literacy, community, Lincoln Reads, Lincoln Elementary, job, computers, technology, optometrist, therapy, art therapy, art, Janie Carp, PTSD, autism, music therapy, music, donate, volunteer

A Conversation With: Andrew Peterson

A husband of twenty-one years and the father of three teens, Andrew Peterson is a Christian singer-songwriter and author based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Since moving there from the homeland he lovingly calls "redneck Florida," Andrew has produced seventeen albums and written a four-part book series, The Wingfeather Saga. The Star Center has the joy of welcoming Andrew to Jackson this Saturday, February 20, for a concert at Fellowship Bible Church benefiting their Literacy Lab scholarships.

InterviewsKatie HowertonFebruary 15, 2016Jackson TN, Tennessee, Nashville TN, Katie Howerton, Andrew Peterson, concert, music, musician, local, community, art, the arts, friendship, creativity, books, storytelling, story, literature, literacy, Star Center, fundraiser, work, The Wingfeather Saga, singer-songwriter, songwriting, songs, family, Christianity, Christian, The Local Show, The Rabbit Room, author, Wendell Berry, movies, movie, book, home, preacher, pastor, church, reading

Vol. 2, Issue 1: Discovery | Spring 2016 Promo Video

We are so excited to bring you Vol. 2, Issue 1: Discovery! Preorder your copy of this spring 2016 magazine today, available February 20, 2016. It premieres first at the Star Center's Andrew Peterson Concert. You can pick up your preordered copy at the concert or theCO, or you can have it shipped to you. Enjoy this short promo video hinting at some of our best stories, including Marmilu Farms, Tennessee Safari Park, Cypress Grove, Rugged Reclaimers, and HaliHannigan's.

The Star Center Partners with Lincoln Elementary

“It takes a village to raise a child.” We’ve all heard the phrase. And we have all seen the positive effects of a community working together to help their children succeed. Thanks to the Star Center, the village surrounding the students of Lincoln Elementary just got a little larger.

StoriesNatalie PflastererJuly 27, 2015Jackson TN, Natalie Pflasterer, education, JMCSS, Jackson-Madison County School System, Kristi Woody, Kyle Lutz, Lincoln Elementary, Lincoln Reads, program, literacy, nonprofit, non-profit, reading, school, Star Center, TCAP