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

Highgate Park, 37 Highgate Dr, Markham, ON June 2, 5:30–7:30 PM NorthStar Soccer hosted a Charity Soccer Engagement Event at Highgate Park in Markham. The event was built around a simple but meaningful idea: inclusion, connection, and participation through sport. More than a football activity, it was a shared community experience designed to bring children of different backgrounds together in one supportive space. Starting the Day on the Same Field As the event began, childr

“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

For many families raising a child on the autism spectrum, one word has often defined the journey: waiting. Waiting for assessments. Waiting for funding. Waiting for therapy to begin. The Ontario government’s 2026 budget signals an important shift—one that may help more children access support earlier. A Major Increase in Autism Funding The province is investing $965 million into the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) for 2026–27, including $186 million in new funding. What does thi

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

In 2026, families gathered at Camp Adelaide for a warm and meaningful Chinese New Year celebration. This winter retreat was specially designed for families with special needs, creating a supportive and welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and celebrate together. Surrounded by snow-covered landscapes, families enjoyed classic Canadian winter activities while bringing the spirit of Lunar New Year into camp. From outdoor adventures in the crisp winter air to cozy eveni

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 December 5, our NorthStar families had an unforgettable afternoon at Scotiabank Arena, watching the thrilling NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Charlotte Hornets! For many of our kids, it was their very first time seeing a live professional basketball game — and the excitement in the air was incredible. When the game began, the arena exploded with cheers. Our kids joined right in — shouting, clapping, and proudly supporting the home team, the Toronto Raptors. Th

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

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 hours, our artists created everything from flying dragons to wild futuristic worlds. Paintbrushes were zooming, markers were racing, and the room was full of smiles. Best part? It’s totally free! The workshop is all about having fun, trying new things, and showing off your amazing ideas in a safe and friendly space. Huge thanks to our friends

Today, the NorthStar kids and their parents went together to York Lions Stadium to watch a soccer match between Toronto and Halifax. The players ran so fast on the green field, and we cheered loudly for them! Halifax scored first, but Toronto fought back with a penalty kick to tie the game. The final score was 1:1. Even though there was no winner, the match was really exciting! Everyone had a great time watching the game. The kids learned about teamwork and felt the power of

On Sept 14, 2025, the 2nd Lovemax Charity Event lit up Green Park, Richmond Hill with love, laughter, and community spirit! Hosted by TSOne and the Canada Youth Business Club (CYBC), the event raised funds for the NorthStar Special Needs Society, supporting children with autism and other special needs. From a buzzing summer market, art exhibition, outdoor yoga, pet party, kids zone, live shows, BBQ & camping, to a magical sunset concert & charity raffle — the good vibes last

On August 30, 2025, children and their parents were given free tickets to watch the exciting soccer match between AFC Toronto and Calgary Wild FC at York Lions Stadium, Toronto. The children shared their heartfelt reviews after the match: “After watching the AFC soccer match, I felt like I wanted to play soccer right away. Watching the game made me want to become a champion like the players I saw.” “It was good, because I got AFC soccer players to sign my T-shirt after the m

On the morning of August 17, we crossed the border from Niagara Falls into Buffalo, USA for a very special day. This event, jointly organized by NorthStar, Buffalo Chinese Health Professionals (BCHP), and BFB Starry Bridge, brought together children from Canada and many special needs families from the U.S. With boats of all kinds, the kids set sail, gliding across the sparkling water, feeling the breeze, and embracing the beauty of nature. It was not just a boating trip—it wa

Behind the NorthStar Special Needs Children’s Dragon Boat Team’s debut championship are many untold stories — supported quietly and selflessly by a large team of volunteers. On July 27, 2025, during a training session by the lake in Richmond Hill, the Toronto reporter Jeff Peng from Chinese Headline News came to observe the dragon boat practice and interview NorthStar founder Benny, Coach Wei, and volunteer Dora Han. Below are some excerpts from the video interview. Interview

Translated from original Chinese report On August 9, 2025, at the Welland International Flatwater Centre in Ontario, an extraordinary team made a stunning impression — the NorthStar Dragon Boat Team swept all three races to win first place in the Special Needs division! This large-scale event featured more than 50 teams from across regions, and NorthStar’s victory was a true testament to their strength and skill. Caption: All members of the NorthStar Dragon Boat Team with the

On Saturday, August 9th, 2025, the Welland International Flatwater Centre came alive with the thunder of drums, the splash of paddles, and the cheers of spectators. Among the standout moments of the 3rd Annual Hope Floats Dragon Boat Festival was the inspiring performance of the NorthStar Dragon Boat Team, who proudly brought home the gold medal in the Special Needs Division. This festival, hosted by Alkame Dragon Boat Services and benefiting the South Niagara Canoe Club and

On August 8, 2025, So Golf Academy in Markham opened its doors to special needs families for a warm and welcoming Introduction Session. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the academy’s facilities at 7725 Birchmount Rd Unit 29 & 30 became a lively space filled with laughter, curiosity, and connection. Families were greeted by the friendly So Golf Academy team, who had prepared an evening designed to make golf accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone. Children and parents were

On July 23, NorthStar partnered with Acrozzi to host a free art workshop designed for children with neurodiversity. Ten participants, aged 7 to 14, joined the 1.5-hour event filled with creativity, colors, and imagination. The session featured a range of hands-on activities, including illustration tracing, coloring, origami, sketching and creative drawing. Whether following outlines or exploring their own ideas, each child was encouraged to express themselves freely in a supp