StarJam gives kids with access needs a chance to express themselves and watching their journeys is momentous, says national programmes coordinator Janette Howe. 

Everyone deserves a chance to shine, and for more than 20 years, children’s charity StarJam has been offering just that. From its head office in Uptown, StarJam teaches kids with disabilities dance, music and theatre, offering a safe supportive space to experience the joy of performance, with a huge annual concert at the end of the year to show it all off.

National programmes coordinator Janette Howe came to StarJam from a background in film production and human rights. Having founded the children’s film festival Screensies and worked as an advocate for children in the screen industry, she now advocates for StarJam’s members, known as Jammers, supporting coordinators and events around Aotearoa and helping to grow and develop StarJam’s programmes in new and existing regions.

“I’m passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be their best self, to participate and to have a voice, and I’m drawn to people’s stories and the power of storytelling. So StarJam fitted nicely into those aspects of what I’m passionate about. StarJam isn’t just about physical accessibility, but also breaking down social barriers and changing attitudes to create a more inclusive culture.”

Working for an organisation like StarJam is not without its challenges, but Janette says the payoff is huge.

“‘Fulfilling’ is the word that comes to mind. It can be challenging because you are working with a very vulnerable community. We want to provide a place that is safe and fun and amazing; we set the bar really high. And that’s really satisfying, working on something that has positive results and is long lasting in people’s lives.”

As well as its Uptown base in Eden Terrace, StarJam has offices in regions up and down the motu, from Northland to Dunedin, staffed with regional coordinators who act as a direct point of contact for parents, caregivers, tutors and volunteers around Aotearoa. StarJam has a profile in the community, but with no marketing department, so the team relies on these relationships and word of mouth to get their story out.

“We are dependent on grants to survive and the work of our volunteers. So we try to get the word out through social media channels and community outreach. Each workshop we run, which will have about 12 young people with disabilities in it, is supported by three or more volunteers, as well as a tutor, so there’s a huge volunteer network.”

Howe says the volunteering work is incredibly rewarding. “A lot of our vollies talk about it being the highlight of their week. Going along to workshops and seeing people discover their talents. It’s a simple thing, but seeing someone’s confidence grow is powerful.”

It’s also the Jammers who make working with StarJam such a special experience.

“It can be quite momentous to watch their journey,” says Janette. “Of course, some young people come to us and they’re powerhouse performers from day one and they just need a space to let it all out. It’s really individual and powerful.

“I was reading someone’s feedback the other day, and they wrote about how they started at StarJam at 17, how they’d struggled to fit into other places and had found this space where they could express themselves and be themselves. When you have that kind of feedback coming in, then the challenges of funding, the challenges of finding volunteers, it becomes something that you just drive through, because you feel that the mahi you’re doing makes a difference.” 

How to support StarJam

Volunteer

StarJam is always looking for volunteers to help out at weekly workshops, events such as discos throughout the year, and the annual concert.

Come along

Check out StarJam’s events, such as gala dinners, golfing days and shows throughout the year.

Donate

There are lots of ways to help – cash donations, goods for raffles, professional expertise or sponsorship. Go to starjam.org for more information. 

StarJam

8/1 Porters Ave

Ph: 09 300 6257
Web: starjam.org
Email: info@starjam.org