The Starfish Exchange

Our Flagship community strengthening activity has been offered at schools, festivals, markets, and events. Become a Starfish Caster and do the Starfish Exchange! Below is a description of how it works:
  1. People are asked to write a name on a laminated Starfish magnet of a person who they wish love, grace and protection upon when they themselves are elsewhere. Arts and crafts supplies are made available to personalize the Starfish.

  2. The participant is then asked to “Cast” (drop) their Starfish into the “Ocean” (a decorated bag), to symbolize the fact that we all let our loved ones go off into the world of the unknown where  we must rely on Strangers around them to keep them safe, respected and cared for.

  3. The Starfish Caster then reaches into the Ocean to adopt a Stranger’s Starfish. They take home this handmade symbol of a Stranger’s loved one, and place it where they will see it daily.

  4. Seeing the Stranger’s Starfish reminds us that own Starfish and loved one is in the home and care of a complete Stranger, and that we must care for a Strangers loved ones the way we would want them to care for ours.

  5. Each intention and action sets a tone, and bit by bit creates the world all our Starfish will inherit.  Starfish Casters choose to embrace the responsibility of creating the world they wish their loved ones to live in, through frequent purposeful action.

Save the World! Be a Starfish Caster 101

Meaningful and interactive workshops awakening and recharging the HERO in each of us! Participants will learn to understand the power each of us has to make a difference through our simple daily actions and attitudes and will be motivated to embrace the responsibility to take action! Learn about the "Three C's to Social Change," and have an opportunity to practice their use. Participants will leave anxious to begin setting loose the ripples of positive intention and action with their very own Starfish Caster kit! This workshop is perfect for establishing a community of "Heroes," who will create and protect atmospheres of respect and service. 

Programs are available for Middle and High Schools as well as community Centers. Long term Starfish Caster Culture Causing support also available!

Group Arts: Songs and Murals

We provide custom arts projects such as collective written songs and participant painted murals. Contact us to bring a Starfish Casters art project to your pro-social event!

Check out these sample videos!

On Our Impact

"I wanted to take this moment and send a big THANK YOU for the time you spent with us this Fall at TechBoston Academy. As our school year comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the highlights. One highlight that keeps jumping out is the commanding impact the Starfish Casters presentation continues to have on our community. The presentation has, in many ways, “framed our year”.  Middle School learning is so much deeper than the academics. You provided us a framework for our social and emotional growth, and it is POWERFUL! I use the language of starfish casters daily in my interactions with students. When I meet with students, I start with the question “what is your superpower”. I remind kids the attributes of heroes, and we review what “villainous behavior” looks like in the classroom.  Of equal importance to students, we discuss the name they put on their starfish. Using this frame of reference ensures a thoughtful and caring response. The time you spent with us has truly changed our year. Thank you for casting a starfish in Boston!"

With deep gratitude- 
Patrick Cleary
Chief Administrative Officer
TechBoston Academy