Atlantic Ave Magazine - May 2019

egulars | city people
by diane feen | Photo by Melissa korman
Helping One Child At A Time
Barbara Stark is what you might call an
overachiever. Her resume reads like a fiction novel
that was played out over time in an idyllic land.
But sometimes reality is equal to – or greater - than fiction. Stark
knows how lucky she is, and she is grateful for her fortuitous
career and loving supportive family.
“I was encouraged to be anything I wanted to be. My parents said
if I worked hard I could do anything I wanted to,” said the Long
Island native.
Stark listened intently and took dad Jack and mom Florence literally.
She graduated high school in three years (Summa Cum Laude)
and got her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degree from Adelphi University
in Communications.
Stark was ferocious in her academic endeavors and took to a
steady career path that eclipsed the moon in terms of stellar achievement.
One of her first jobs was at Cablevision, where she worked for
legendary media tycoon Charles Dolan (who started HBO). She began
as a marketing assistant and became the Director of Marketing.
“Working for Mr. Dolan taught me a lot. I learned how to be a promotional
writer, and he taught me that we learn by listening to others.
Even if you don’t agree with them you still listen.”
Stark was an on-air personality, writer and hosted an entertainment
show. From Cablevision she went to work at Avis as the Director
of Direct Marketing. There she was part of the team that created
Frequent Traveler Awards Programs. She not only traveled the country
(working 80 hours a week) but also taught communications at
Nassau Community College at night.
After giving birth to two sons, Stark slowed down and left the corporate
world. She did, however, continue teaching college. Like most
of her aspirations, meeting her husband came along like a mere ray of
sunshine. “I was working at an optical store when I was 18-years-old.
One day a customer came in wanting some information about contact
lenses. After we met Steven asked me out and we got married.”
Stark not only had loving and supportive parents but her cousins,
grandmother and aunts all lived across the street from her growing
up. When some of them relocated to Florida, Stark and her husband
followed. “We vacationed in Florida – and loved the Florida lifestyle,
so we moved here too.”
While exercising at the Levis JCC in Boca, Stark befriended a woman
who introduced her to the marketing director. Soon Stark become
their assistant marketing director. She also had a change of heart
about her career. “I really liked working in the non-profit world. I
got to use my marketing, writing and speaking skills and making my
mark on the world.”
Her next career move was to United Way of Broward County. She did
fundraising, marketing and became steeped in the selfless steering of
something greater than herself. “The more I learned about non-profit
world the more I wanted to work for them. I wanted to serve people.”
So that’s what she did. Stark found her way to the Milagro Center in
Delray, and for the past eight years has been their President and CEO.
It is at Milagro Center that Stark’s life has come full circle. As a fearless
cheerleader and educator for children less fortunate than herself,
she has the platform to transform lives and share the gifts she
was given as a child.
“I had the best childhood. In my neighborhood (Massapequa
Park, NY) there were so many children. I also had a beautiful childhood
– we didn’t have a lot of money, but I got love and acceptance
from my parents.”
In her role at Milagro, Stark has free reign to be the loving and supportive
parent to children who often lack that pristine form of child
rearing. The children come to Milagro after school by bus and enter a
world of possibilities. They are introduced to the arts, math, science,
robotics, music and other enrichment programs for their inner and
outer growth.
They also get a hot meal, adult mentoring, homework help and tutoring
from certified teachers. “I love having a direct impact on the
kids and sharing their successes. One child recently told me she feels
good raising her hand in school, ‘it feels good to be smart’ she told me.”
Stark also imparts the wisdom that was passed down to her. “I tell
them they can be anything they want to be if they work hard. We help
them succeed. Our philosophy is to instill confidence in these children
and help them feel like they can conquer the world.”
And if anyone knows about conquering the world, it’s Stark. That’s
why she knows that reflection time for children helps them calibrate
their mood or emotional discourse.
When a child is having difficulty, they can go to the “thinking
space.” They can read, use a mini-iPad, do artwork or meditate. “This
teaches a child to be self-aware and gives them space to get centered.
Then they can go back to the group. We are pro-active, not reactive,
we are about communication. Everyone’s voice is important.”
If that sounds familiar, it is. The words of Mr. Dolan still ring true
for Stark, as well as the encouragement she received as a child. It’s
being passed on to a generation of children who thrive in the caring
compassionate world at Milagro.
“It’s been a journey. I always loved children and the way they think.
When I first came to Milagro it was K to 5th grade, now we have a
middle school and high school program,” said the mother of Jared,
an attorney and Matthew, a psychiatrist (and grandmother of two).
Stark wants everyone to know that an undertaking such as Milagro
Center is not a one-person endeavor. “It takes a village to accomplish
what we do. I want to acknowledge our board of directors, supporters,
community collaborators, teachers and administrators who are
caring and passionate professionals.”
And it goes without saying that Stark is grateful for her biggest
supporter, her husband Steven.
www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com | May 2019 | 87