LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 'Be the Star You Are!' charity honored by California legislature


Three teen volunteers and Express Yourself Radio hosts Siri, Jack and Kenneth. Photo Cynthia Brian

The volunteers of local Moraga charity, Be the Star You Are, were honored with a Certificate of Recognition for 20 years of dedicated community service by the California Legislature Assembly. As a top rated 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to increasing literacy, improving positive media messages, and providing tools for living for women, families, and youth, Be the Star You Are has no paid staff and is operated solely with 100% volunteers, most of whom are teenagers.

The outreach programs to empower others, including disaster relief services, book reviewing, and radio production, were designed by local teens. One of its two radio programs, Express Yourself, is broadcast with teen hosts and reporters as a way to give young people an uncensored voice while learning leadership skills. Volunteers continue to live up to their motto of "communicate, collaborate, innovate." Teens are encouraged to apply for positions and receive community service credits. For information visit http://www.BetheStarYouAre.org and https://www.starstyleradio.com/.