About the program: Buddy Up Program | NorthStar Before every Buddy Up session, our volunteers arrive excited and prepared. Most of our volunteers are high school students. They come with games to play, crafts to create, and thoughtful plans to fill the afternoon with laughter and connection. Like many people on their first day, they wonder, Will my Buddy enjoy this? Will we have enough to do? But after their very first session, many discover something they never expected. Som

About the program: Buddy Up Program | NorthStar Building meaningful friendships starts with understanding, respect, and shared experiences. That is the idea behind Buddy Up, NorthStar's peer connection program that brings together autistic children and trained volunteer Buddies in a safe, welcoming environment. Through games, sports, creative activities, and community outings, the program gives children the opportunity to develop friendships and confidence while allowing volu

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

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

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

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...

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...