South Ranch II resides in the middle of run-down houses and crime in South Phoenix much like a mirage in a desert, only it's not imaginary. It has something no other housing community in Arizona does: the Stardust House.
"The Stardust House is a neighborhood resource and learning center," said Executive Director Francisca Montoya. "For many folks, it's a home away from home."
The center is based in two houses within South Ranch II, a housing community of mostly Hispanic families living in 196 homes built by Habitat for Humanity. It is the first community of its kind in the world.
"Every day, you can always help someone and make a difference in someone's life," said Patrick Haisley, partnership development coordinator for the center.
A typical day at the Stardust House begins at 7:30 a.m. with its Head Start program for preschoolers. When older students are released from school, they go to the Stardust House for tutoring, playing and working on the computers. Adults go for English as a second language, computer and financial training classes in the evening.
The center has many affiliates, including one with ASU's Barrett Honors College, whose students volunteer there twice a week to teach and mentor the community's children. The projects they lead include chess lessons, arts and crafts, and tutoring.
Nine-year-old Elizabeth Jimenez is one of many children who regularly seek help from freshman Lakshmi Madhavpeddi with her math, science and English homework.
"She's good," Jimenez said of Madhavpeddi. "I like her because she teaches like my teacher and because she's like my friends.
Jimenez moved to South Ranch II with her parents and two siblings when it opened three and a half years ago. She said she does not remember where she lived before, but that she likes living in South Ranch II, where she goes to the park and plays with her friends.
Montoya said living in a safe place is a big component of South Ranch II. She added that BHC students benefit from volunteering at the Stardust House.
"They get an opportunity to work with real people in a real community and see what people's lives are all about," she said.
Madhavpeddi, who has worked at the Stardust House since August of 2002, said she cannot imagine not working at the center.
"I love it here," she said. "It's so much fun. It just makes my day to help these children."
One of the most popular programs at the center are the chess lessons taught by biochemistry freshman Daniel Barr, who said he chose to volunteer at the Stardust House because of the freedom of choice he was given to teach whatever he wanted.
"It was a challenge to build a program from scratch, to improve some children's lives," Barr said. "I love the kids. I love having the opportunity to get to know them, work with them and help them."
Two of Barr's students are brothers Jordan and Gerardo Willem.
"The best part is trying to beat him," said 12-year-old Gerardo. "He's a good teacher."
Freshman Julie Friedman said she has not experienced any language barriers in her work with the children at the center.
"What I really think is amazing is that they speak English perfectly and they can speak Spanish perfectly," she said.
It is because of funding from the Stardust Foundation, based in Scottsdale, and partnerships with the City of Phoenix and other organizations that the Stardust House exists, said Haisley.
Another community like South Ranch II is being built just around the corner at 15th Avenue and Vineyard Road, which is near Southern Avenue. It will be called Villas Esperanza and will have 93 homes.
Amanda Lee Myers is the Editor-in-Chief of the Web Devil. Reach her at amanda.l.myers@asu.edu.
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