No panic; Star School rises up to keep education going for court-involved teens

The pandemic was shutting down Missouri’s state-run schools for troubled youth. Teachers worried for their students whose tenuous grasp on education means so much to their chances to rise. Then, assuredly, an answer came to them: “Oh, right. Star School.”

Crossing over: LINC advocates help aging foster children, former juvenile offenders bloom as adults

He’d crossed so many rivers of pain, but foster teen Dillon Spradley found an ally when LINC youth advocate Devon Robinson first appeared in the doorway of his guardian’s apartment.

LINC’s youth advocates have helped hundreds of youths in their transition from state care to living on their own, striving to help older foster children and teenagers in the juvenile justice system overcome perilous odds and become independent, thriving adults.

'They're on my side'; Star School puts court-involved teens on paths to success

If not for Star School, many Missouri teenagers like Adam would have no good educational options as they leave the juvenile justice system. The online program by LINC and the state Department of Youth Services has helped more than 630 youths since 2013.