On the journey of raising a child with special needs, every step forward is hard-won, and every spark of progress can change a life. The story of NorthStar begins with one such spark—and has since grown into a constellation of hope for countless families. Benny: Racing Against Time To the children at NorthStar, he is “Uncle Benny”—warm, patient, and reliable. To many families, he is a guide who is always racing against time. As a single father of a child with autism, Benny u

Why Buddy Up Matters Every child deserves a friend — but not every child is taught how to make one. Children with autism and other developmental differences genuinely want friendships, yet struggle to read social cues, understand boundaries, or communicate in familiar ways. These challenges often lead to misunderstandings, isolation, and painful rejection. Inclusion is more than sharing a space. It requires a supported environment, intentional activities, and peers who unders

In his very first hockey game, Asher scored an incredible eight goals!   This video looks so professional! Thank you, Asher’s mom, for capturing so many wonderful moments! After the match, he was overjoyed — and his mom couldn’t have been prouder: “He was so happy!” This remarkable progress is the result of NorthStar’s dedicated coaching team. Asher began his skating lessons in September of last year. At first, he was just a cautious beginner learning to find his balance on

Hockey is more than a game — it’s a way to build confidence, coordination, and friendships on and off the ice. Behind every successful session stands a dedicated coach who knows how to connect, encourage, and adapt to every child’s unique needs. In our latest video, you’ll see our specially trained hockey coaches  in action — guiding children through skating, passing, and teamwork drills designed for players with special needs. Each coach brings not only hockey expertise but

Our basketball class is for children with special needs, providing a safe and supportive space to learn, play, and have fun. Children practice dribbling, passing, and shooting with guidance from our caring coach, and play simple games that teach teamwork and cooperation. Basketball helps children build confidence, improve coordination, stay active, and make friends. Join us and watch our children have fun and grow on the court!

There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching children gain confidence and independence on the ice. Our hockey course is specially designed to be inclusive and supportive , giving children with special needs the opportunity to learn, play, and have fun in a safe and encouraging environment. In this video, you’ll see our skilled coach guiding each child through skating drills, puck handling, and teamwork exercises. With patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement, the

This morning, the North Star team was invited to join a community meeting in Richmond Hill with Pierre Poilievre , Leader of  The...

In a world that often emphasizes conformity, finding a place where neurodivergent children can truly be themselves is a gift. This is the...

Piece by piece, his creations come together like a sparkling personal art exhibition! Come take a look!

At NorthStar, we love celebrating the unique talents and interests of our kids. Today, we’re super excited to share some amazing artwork...

Wow—what a day! On September 21, NorthStar’s Monthly Art Workshop lit up with color, laughter, and tons of imagination. For 1.5 awesome...

Today, the NorthStar kids and their parents went together to York Lions Stadium  to watch a soccer match between Toronto and Halifax. The...

On Sept 14, 2025, the 2nd Lovemax Charity Event  lit up Green Park, Richmond Hill  with love, laughter, and community spirit! Hosted by...

On August 30, 2025, children and their parents were given free tickets to watch the exciting soccer match between AFC Toronto  and...

On the morning of August 17, we crossed the border from Niagara Falls into Buffalo, USA  for a very special day. This event, jointly...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often seen as a “single diagnosis,” but in reality, every child’s presentation can be very different....

My name is Dora, and I’ve been volunteering with NorthStar for more than a year, joining in sports like dragon boat and basketball. My...

Behind the NorthStar Special Needs Children’s Dragon Boat Team’s debut championship are many untold stories — supported quietly and...

Translated from original Chinese report On August 9, 2025, at the Welland International Flatwater Centre in Ontario, an extraordinary...

Hello and Welcome, Everyone, to NorthStar! My name is Johnson, and I’m proud to be one of the volunteers for the NorthStar Dragon Boat...