President of The STAR Center

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography by Chelsea-Catherine Croom.

Dave Bratcher is a native of Jackson, TN where he, his wife, Julie, and their two children, Gracie, 11, and Bennett, 8, reside. He serves as the President of The STAR Center whose mission is to help any person with any disability realize their potential. This includes taking what some view as a liability and turn it into their greatest asset. The STAR Center was awarded the Non-Profit of the Year in 2008 and 2015. Additionally, The STAR Center was recognized nationally as one of the top 50 Best Non-Profits to Work For in 2017 and 2018.

Dave is a certified coach, speaker, and trainer with the John Maxwell Team; board member, Leaders Credit Union; Commissioner, Community Economic Development Commission; past president of Jackson Rotary Club; leader of a weekly men’s Bible study at First United Methodist Church in Jackson; former weekly columnist for The Jackson Sun and 2017 Reader’s Choice Winner for local columnist; and a former board member, Jackson-Madison County School Board and Aspell Recovery Center.

He has dedicated his life to adding value to others. Whether speaking professionally, leading over 120 employees, or volunteering in the community, he is actively engaged in developing and inspiring those around him.

VIP: Share with our readers the history and origin of The STAR Center.

Dave Bratcher: Chuck and Margaret Doumitt were just like any other Mom and Dad. When their kids began to lose their eyesight, they were prepared to move heaven and earth to find an answer to their problem. In 1987 they searched all over the country and found a firm in California to help them. They then created a support group for kids with disabilities in West Tennessee. That was the beginning of The STAR Center, which was founded in 1988. The Doumitts had five children, but two (George and Angela) had Batten Disease, which is very rare. The loss of their eyesight was the beginning of a symptom of a larger problem. Ultimately the disease was degenerative and cost them their lives.

VIP: What was your profession prior to joining The STAR Center?

DB: I was Vice President of Financial Services for four years at the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

VIP: What appealed to you about being President of The STAR Center? Making a difference in people’s lives?

DB: I am the product of many other people who said yes to me. And I want to make sure that every person with any type of disability never accepts the limits other people place on them. Instead, I want them to see a world of yes and find the courage and support necessary at The STAR Center to live into their full potential.

VIP: Are there other STAR Centers or comparable facilities in other cities in Tennessee?

DB: This is the largest organization in the Southeast helping people with all disabilities. There is not another place in Tennessee that provides everything we are able to do. The STAR Center serves thousands of individuals every year. Our clients are from the neo-natal unit to the nursing home at the other end of the spectrum.

As of July, we are now serving within the area of assistive technology in 61 counties, up from 21 counties in previous years.

VIP: For those not familiar with the work of The STAR Center, what is the concept of STAR?

DB: When God created you and me, he gave us a unique set of fingerprints. We treat each person who comes through our doors as that unique individual. Our goal is to help any person, that comes to The STAR Center realize their potential for greatness. Often, our clients are looking for some sliver of hope and someone to believe in them. That’s what we try to show them.

VIP: What sets The STAR Center apart from other non-profit agencies? It is a one-of-a-kind center.

DB: We are often the last place people come. They’ve heard the word ‘no’ over and over and over again. Because of the support from our incredible community, together we can crush the no’s our clients have gotten and help them achieve their yes. For example, Stanton, a long haul truck driver, began to lose his eyesight in his 50s. He needed to identify a new way of life and get back to work. With each passing day of therapy and training, his confidence grew a little bit more. Each day he held his head a little bit higher. We saw what he was capable of doing – manufacturing work. Stanton had to learn how to move around with a long white cane, and he worked on some basic computer skills. Life is now good for Stanton.
Typically we call people like Stanton clients. Some come to us for an evaluation, others for ongoing training. This past year we served over 3000 individuals.

VIP: Talk about the fundraisers to raise money for the Center like the recent successful Dancing with the Stars event.

DB: This was the largest event in The STAR Center’s history. It was the fourth year we hosted this event. The first year of Dancing With The STARs we had 21 tables; in year two we had 42 tables; in year three we had 66 tables, and this year we had 106 tables! The event has sold out every year. Our first year we had five couples dancing. This year JEA aired the show live. Over 2000 people watched it online plus 925 people watched it at the event. It was a major, major event for us, and it took me about 6 days to get over it!

VIP: Another fundraiser for The STAR Center is the Shadrack Christmas Wonderland event. The STAR Center receives a percentage of the proceeds of this holiday lights show held at The Ballpark in Jackson. The Light Show will run through January 7 nightly including holidays. It consists of over 1.5 miles of custom made displays dancing to the music played over your car radio.

DB: Last year we had a STAR night every Monday, and our center received $2 from each ticket sold. This year, we added some $2 off admission coupons and we receive those $2. The feedback has been great. A third fundraiser is the Flint Cox Golf Tournament, which will be held the first Monday in April of 2020. We are also in the process of creating a spring/summer event.

VIP: How is The STAR Center funded?

DB: Seventy-five percent of our funding comes from sources other than donations such as grants from the state of Tennessee. However, not all of our programs receive funding from the government so we rely on donors, private payments, and scholarships to provide all of our many services.

VIP: What are the top priorities of the Center for 2020?

DB: The main thing is to really highlight individual stories like Stanton’s story. Our marketing emphasis is shifting from services to impact. Kyren is a four-year-old child with autism who was not able to say “Mom” to his mother. Through music therapy, external therapies, and lots of hard work on his part, he finally said “Mom” and his mother was overwhelmed.

VIP: What criteria were used to name The STAR Center as one of the top 50 Best National Non-profits to work for in 2017 and 2018?

DB: An anonymous survey was sent to all of our employees.

VIP: Looking ahead, what would you like to see happen with The STAR Center in the next five years?

DB: To be able to lead the way in lowering barriers for those with disabilities to find meaningful employment.

What to Know

The STAR Center
1119 Old Humboldt Rd., Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 668-3888 • www.star-center.org
Facebook.com/thestarcenter