Frances O. Scarantino
Owner,
Reach for the Stars
Howard Beach
JOB: Frances O. Scarantino got her start at Adelphi University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She later received her master’s degree at St. John’s University.
She then started the non-profit Striving To Achieve and Reach Success (STARS). STARS is a non-profit youth organization composed entirely of volunteers, many of whom are young people. It provides recreational, education, and self development programs for children of all ages.
“I’ll always be with STARS,” she said. “It’s my baby.”
Scarantino also recently opened Reach for the Stars, a daycare which accepts infants to children 12 years of age and provides various age-appropriate programs.
“I started Reach for the Stars because I don’t have any children but I really enjoy kids, and I wanted to make it my livelihood.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory is when I was with my grandmother as a child and she taught me how to sew.”
proudest moment: “My proudest moment is when I opened up STARS 10 years ago, and also when we got a facility for the program nine years ago.”
Inspiration: “My parents are my biggest inspiration because they emigrated here from Italy not knowing the language or knowing anybody. They really worked hard and had good work ethic and they inspired me to do the same.”
