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 volunteers to learn, grow, and contribute to a more

On June 13–14, NorthStar WaveRiders proudly participated in the Paradragon division at the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival on Centre Island. The event brought together athletes, volunteers, families, and supporters to celebrate teamwork, determination, and inclusion. For our team, every stroke reflected the power of working together and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to compete and thrive. We are proud of our athletes for their dedication, r

Introduction As the closing event of National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) 2026, the NorthStar Charity Golf Experience brought together children with autism, families, community members, and supporters for a day focused on inclusion, accessibility, and community participation through sport. The event provided a welcoming and supportive environment where participants of all abilities could enjoy golf while building connections and engaging with the broader community. Promoting Pa

“Accessibility is not just a ramp.” On May 31, 2026, at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham, a meaningful community initiative centered on “inclusion,” “equality,” and “hope” took place. Representatives from government, education, community organizations, academia, and families with special needs gathered together to officially launch the 2026 National AccessAbility Week, advocating for a society where everyone can participate and everyone is seen. Event Coverage Th

The Opening Ceremony of National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) 2026, hosted by NorthStar Special Needs Society, received heartfelt greetings and messages of encouragement from distinguished government leaders across Canada. Among the leaders extending their support was The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, who shared a meaningful message recognizing the significance of National AccessAbility Week and the contributions Canadians with disabilities make across

In many Asian communities, conversations about disability, neurodiversity, and mental health are still shaped by silence, stigma, and misunderstanding. NAAW 2026 hopes to change that. Through a four-part online workshop series, we aim to create a safe and inclusive space where families, caregivers, youth, adults with disabilities, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members can learn, connect, and support one another. Because building an inclusive community beg

In every community, there are families quietly navigating challenges that often remain unseen. There are children seeking connection and belonging, and parents working tirelessly to help them feel included in a world that is not always designed with accessibility in mind. At NorthStar Special Needs Society, these experiences are at the heart of our mission. That is why we are honoured to serve as a co-organizing partner of the National AccessAbility Week 2026 initiative — a c

We are thrilled to share an exciting milestone for the NorthStar community. The NorthStar StormRiders Hockey Team has officially been registered in the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) system. This marks a historic step forward for our program and for the children and families who have been part of this journey. For the first time, our players are now part of Canada’s official hockey structure. This achievement belongs to every child, parent, coach, and volunteer who believ

On a joyful evening in the community, the North Star hockey and skating program welcomed Pierre Poilievre to the ice rink, where he spent meaningful time with the children both on and off the ice. Wearing skates and a bright red jersey, he joined the kids for an energetic session of skating and hockey, sharing laughter, encouragement, and genuine connection. The smiles on the ice said it all. Afterward, he spoke about how sports help children grow—not just physically, but in

NorthStar and CCBAG’s 2026 New Year Charity Concert On January 4, 2026, the Canada Children’s Broadcasting Arts Group (CCBAG) successfully hosted its 2026 New Year Charity Concert in Toronto. Centered on the theme “Art Unites Us, Warmth Brings Us Together,” the concert marked a meaningful collaboration with NorthStar Special Needs Society (NorthStar), bringing children with autism and neurotypical children together on the same stage. Through music and performance, the event d

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 t

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 a

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 NorthStar team was invited to join a community meeting in Richmond Hill with Pierre Poilievre , Leader of The Conservative Party of Canada. The event was held at Art Gala Inc. Pierre shared that he cares deeply about individuals on the autism spectrum, and that our mission strongly resonated with him. We were touched by the warm recognition from the community. Several MPs were present, and many of them smiled and said to us — “NorthStar is famous!” At Nort

In a world that often emphasizes conformity, finding a place where neurodivergent children can truly be themselves is a gift. This is the very mission of Acrozzi, a youth-led initiative, and its partnership with NorthStar is creating waves of positive change for children, families, and the volunteers themselves. At the helm of this inspiring movement is Sarah Chi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Acrozzi. Her vision isn't just theoretical; it's personal. Growing up with siblings who

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 from WK — who’s discovered a special passion: diamond painting! Diamond painting is a fun craft where you stick tiny, sparkling “diamonds” onto a canvas to slowly create a beautiful picture. It’s kind of like a mosaic — every little diamond matters, and together they make something magical. For WK, it’s more than just a hobby — finishing eac