PRIVACY POLICY

Information We Collect

True Star may collect personal information when individuals visit our website, register for or participate in a program or event, complete a form or application, subscribe to communications, make a donation, contact our organization, or otherwise interact with True Star.

Depending on the activity, information collected may include:

• Name, address, email address, and telephone number
• Parent or guardian contact information
• Age, date of birth, school, grade level, and other program eligibility information
• Emergency contact information
• Program participation, attendance, and related records
• Educational or school-related information when necessary for a program
• Photographs, video, audio, or other media when appropriate authorization or consent has been obtained
• Information voluntarily provided through applications, surveys, forms, or communications
• Website usage and technical information collected through standard website technologies

True Star seeks to collect only information reasonably necessary to operate our programs, communicate with participants and families, meet contractual or reporting requirements, and further our organizational mission.

Youth and Student Information

Protecting information concerning young people is particularly important to True Star.

Information relating to youth participants and their families is treated as confidential and is accessed only for legitimate program, administrative, safety, reporting, or other authorized organizational purposes.

When parental or guardian consent is required for the collection, use, release, or sharing of a minor participant’s information, True Star will obtain the appropriate authorization. True Star also uses consent and media-release procedures when photographs, videos, interviews, or other participant-created or participant-focused media may be publicly shared.

True Star does not sell youth or participant personal information.

How We Use Information

Information collected by True Star may be used to:

• Administer programs, services, events, and youth employment or training opportunities
• Determine program eligibility and enrollment
• Communicate with participants, parents, guardians, schools, partners, and stakeholders
• Maintain attendance and program records
• Support participant safety and emergency communications
• Evaluate programs and measure outcomes
• Fulfill grant, contract, funding, audit, and reporting requirements
• Share organizational news and opportunities
• Process donations and other authorized transactions
• Maintain and improve our website and digital communications
• Comply with applicable legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements

Sharing and Disclosure of Information

True Star does not sell or rent personal information.

Information may be shared when reasonably necessary to operate our programs or fulfill organizational obligations, including with authorized schools, program partners, government agencies, funders, service providers, or other organizations involved in delivering or supporting a particular program.

When confidential participant information is shared with a clinical or social-service provider, True Star follows its applicable release-of-information procedures.

Information may also be disclosed when required by law, court order, governmental requirement, contractual obligation, or when reasonably necessary to protect the safety and welfare of a participant or another person.

Whenever appropriate, True Star seeks to limit information shared to what is reasonably necessary for the intended purpose.

Chicago Public Schools and School Partners

When True Star provides programming in partnership with Chicago Public Schools or another educational institution, student and participant information will be handled in accordance with applicable agreements, consent requirements, school policies, and applicable privacy requirements.

True Star will use student information received in connection with such programming only for authorized program and organizational purposes.

Confidentiality and Data Security

True Star takes reasonable administrative, physical, and technological measures to protect personal and confidential information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

Access to confidential information is limited to employees, contractors, and other authorized individuals who require the information to perform their assigned responsibilities. Individuals with access to confidential information are expected to safeguard that information and are prohibited from unauthorized use or disclosure.

Sensitive documents and electronic data must be protected from unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure in accordance with True Star’s internal confidentiality and data-protection practices.

Third-Party Services and Websites

True Star may use third-party platforms or service providers to support website hosting, email communications, donations, program registration, data management, analytics, or other organizational functions.

These services may collect or process information according to their own privacy policies and practices. True Star encourages users to review the privacy policies of third-party websites or platforms they visit.

Our website may also contain links to external websites. True Star is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of websites operated by other organizations.

Cookies and Website Information

Like many websites, the True Star website may use cookies or similar technologies to help the website function, understand website traffic, and improve the user experience.

Information collected through these technologies may include browser type, device information, pages visited, and other general website usage information.

Photos, Video, and Media

As a youth media and training organization, photography, video, audio, journalism, and digital content may be incorporated into True Star programs and activities.

True Star follows applicable consent and release procedures regarding the public use of participant images, interviews, recordings, and other identifiable media. Participation in a True Star program does not, by itself, authorize unrestricted public use of a participant’s image or personal information.

Data Retention

True Star retains program, administrative, financial, and other organizational records for periods appropriate to their purpose and consistent with applicable contractual, funding, legal, and organizational requirements.

Records containing confidential information are expected to be stored and disposed of in a manner designed to protect against unauthorized access or disclosure.

Privacy Questions or Requests

Individuals with questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns regarding personal information maintained by True Star may contact:

True Star
4655 S. King Drive, Suite 203
Chicago, IL 60653

Email: info@truestarmedia.org
Phone: 312-588-0100

Parents or guardians with questions regarding information collected about a youth participant may also contact True Star using the information above.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

True Star may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our programs, technology, organizational practices, or applicable requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Last Updated: September 2026