STAR House #5: The David Poiry House
During the height of the pandemic, STAR’s Executive Director was made aware that a very familiar and well-known home located in the South Bay Area was at risk of closure which would necessitate relocation of each of the residents living there to any available placements. Established in the late 1970’s, this home had been providing services for five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The current residents were “family” to each other for many years, and classmates and friends to many of STAR’s residents. Life as they knew it was being threatened.
The STAR Administration Team immediately came up with a short-term action plan to temporarily assist with the daily operations of the home. As part of our mission, it soon became clear that it would be a wonderful opportunity for STAR to acquire this property. Even more importantly, however, our primary goal was to keep those residents who had been living together for years from being separated. The action plan was presented to STAR’s Board of Directors and was immediately and unanimously approved.
After the short-term action plan was approved, the team began working on a permanent plan to keep the home in operation. For STAR to purchase and operate a fifth home with our resources at that time would have been almost impossible—and then a true STAR came shining through. That STAR was Mr. David Poiry.
David was a longtime member of STAR, and he was always tremendously devoted to his brother, an adult with special needs. His parents, Connie and Ken Poiry, were an integral part of the STAR dream. Both were members of the founding body and spent years in service to STAR. When David learned of the possible closure of the home and relocation of the residents living there, his compassion was overwhelming. Immediately, with the assistance of his wife, Dee Dee Anderson, and his friend and business associate, Jim Wellbaum, David developed a partnership with STAR, and together we embarked on this new journey with enthusiasm and determination.
The California Department of Social Services issued the license for operation of the home on April 22, 2022, and with David’s generous contribution, escrow closed on July 7, 2022. STAR is extremely elated and proud to officially announce the addition of STAR House 5 to our portfolio of housing options. In recognition and honor of David and the selfless gifts of his noble generosity and unwavering care and concern for all of STAR’s residents, the Board of Directors has christened this home The David Poiry Home.
On November 4, 2021, a dedication ceremony was held to pay tribute to this extraordinary gentleman. He was presented with a scroll of recognition by Jennifer LaMarque of Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office, and an official Proclamation by City of Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey. The attendees of the ceremony had the pleasure of learning a bit about David’s life story. He authored Bird Dog 757: Operation Rabbit Hole based upon his real-life experiences throughout his fascinating career in law enforcement. He was a philanthropist. He was an adventurer. He loved life and was loved in return by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Unfortunately, David lost his battle with a terminal illness on November 9, 2021. Though a golden heart stopped beating that day, we do not cry because he is gone. Instead, we mourn his loss by reflecting upon the lives he enriched through his efforts and generosity, and we smile knowing that his legacy continues through the lives of all of STAR’s residents, and especially the residents of The David Poiry Home.
The STAR Administration Team immediately came up with a short-term action plan to temporarily assist with the daily operations of the home. As part of our mission, it soon became clear that it would be a wonderful opportunity for STAR to acquire this property. Even more importantly, however, our primary goal was to keep those residents who had been living together for years from being separated. The action plan was presented to STAR’s Board of Directors and was immediately and unanimously approved.
After the short-term action plan was approved, the team began working on a permanent plan to keep the home in operation. For STAR to purchase and operate a fifth home with our resources at that time would have been almost impossible—and then a true STAR came shining through. That STAR was Mr. David Poiry.
David was a longtime member of STAR, and he was always tremendously devoted to his brother, an adult with special needs. His parents, Connie and Ken Poiry, were an integral part of the STAR dream. Both were members of the founding body and spent years in service to STAR. When David learned of the possible closure of the home and relocation of the residents living there, his compassion was overwhelming. Immediately, with the assistance of his wife, Dee Dee Anderson, and his friend and business associate, Jim Wellbaum, David developed a partnership with STAR, and together we embarked on this new journey with enthusiasm and determination.
The California Department of Social Services issued the license for operation of the home on April 22, 2022, and with David’s generous contribution, escrow closed on July 7, 2022. STAR is extremely elated and proud to officially announce the addition of STAR House 5 to our portfolio of housing options. In recognition and honor of David and the selfless gifts of his noble generosity and unwavering care and concern for all of STAR’s residents, the Board of Directors has christened this home The David Poiry Home.
On November 4, 2021, a dedication ceremony was held to pay tribute to this extraordinary gentleman. He was presented with a scroll of recognition by Jennifer LaMarque of Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office, and an official Proclamation by City of Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey. The attendees of the ceremony had the pleasure of learning a bit about David’s life story. He authored Bird Dog 757: Operation Rabbit Hole based upon his real-life experiences throughout his fascinating career in law enforcement. He was a philanthropist. He was an adventurer. He loved life and was loved in return by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Unfortunately, David lost his battle with a terminal illness on November 9, 2021. Though a golden heart stopped beating that day, we do not cry because he is gone. Instead, we mourn his loss by reflecting upon the lives he enriched through his efforts and generosity, and we smile knowing that his legacy continues through the lives of all of STAR’s residents, and especially the residents of The David Poiry Home.