Business Details
Emergency
services
Empowering Youth Through Education & Community Support
Northstar Learning Center has dedicated over five decades to empowering children, youth, and families through comprehensive educational and social services. Founded on principles of equity and community-driven solutions, we address systemic challenges like poverty, discrimination, and educational disparities by fostering resilience and hope. Our programs span early childhood education, mental health support, youth mentorship, and community health initiatives, all designed to cultivate academic success, emotional well-being, and civic engagement. With a culturally responsive approach, we collaborate with schools, government agencies, and local organizations to create wraparound services that meet families where they are. Our 24/7 availability ensures critical support during crises, while our research partnerships advance environmental justice and public health.Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, we combine evidence-based practices with modern innovation to serve over 135 children annually. As a minority-led organization, we champion diversity as a strength, advocating for policy changes that remove barriers to opportunity. Our team of licensed clinicians, educators, and community leaders delivers trauma-informed care, including specialized programs for at-risk youth involved in the justice system. Through initiatives like the HEAL Center and Foster Grandparent Program, we build intergenerational connections and promote healing from community violence. Our commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in our partnerships with institutions like Boston University and Brigham and Women's Hospital, ensuring our work remains at the forefront of social impact.
Services
Early Education & Care
School Age Programs
Mental Health Clinic
Youth & Family Services
Community Health Research
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 crisis intervention to prevent youth removal from homes.
- Our programs combine trauma-informed care with evidence-based mentoring models.
- We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- Our team includes licensed clinicians trained in CBT, DBT, and EMDR therapies.
- We partner with Boston University on EPA-funded environmental health research.
Associations and certifications
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
What people say
24/7 crisis support
Trauma-informed care
Accredited educators
Community partnerships
Mental health access
Services
Early Education & Care
Our state-accredited early learning centers serve children aged 1 month to 5 years with full-day, year-round care. We combine play-based curricula with farm-to-table nutrition and arts education in a safe, nurturing environment. Our classrooms follow Massachusetts standards while emphasizing cultural relevance and family engagement through the NAEYC-accredited framework.
Mental Health Clinic
Licensed clinicians provide trauma-informed therapy using CBT, DBT, and EMDR techniques for children, families, and adults. Services include school-based counseling, crisis intervention, and the HEAL Center's healing-focused programs for youth affected by community violence, all covered by MassHealth and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Youth & Family Services
We offer 24/7 family mediation, supervised visitation, and kinship care support to prevent out-of-home placements. Our wraparound approach includes the FASE program's individualized mentoring and advocacy, focusing on keeping families together while improving educational outcomes and community connections.
School Age Programs
Through school partnerships, we deliver academic enrichment, STEM activities, and college readiness programs for K-12 students. Initiatives like Leading Senoritas and Tying on Success combine mentorship with social-emotional learning to reduce youth violence and improve school engagement in New Bedford communities.
Community Health Research
Collaborating with Boston University and Brigham Women's Hospital, we investigate environmental health risks in low-income neighborhoods. Our EPA-funded research examines how combined chemical and socioeconomic stressors impact child development and community well-being in New Bedford's Superfund-affected areas.
People
Maria A. Rosario
Executive Director
Maria leads strategic initiatives to expand NorthStar's impact, leveraging 20+ years of experience in nonprofit management and community advocacy to strengthen educational and mental health services for underserved populations.
Megan Ryan
Director of Clinical Services
As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Megan oversees trauma-informed mental health programs, including school-based therapy and the HEAL Center's healing-focused interventions for at-risk youth and families.
Jennie Antunes
Director of Education
Jennie supervises early childhood programs and curriculum development, ensuring NAEYC accreditation standards while expanding access to quality education for low-income families in New Bedford.
Damon Chaplin
Health Department Director
Damon coordinates public health initiatives and research partnerships, focusing on environmental justice and community health disparities affecting New Bedford residents through data-driven policy advocacy.
Eric Gilbarg
Director of the HEAL Center
Eric leads trauma recovery programs for youth impacted by violence, implementing culturally responsive interventions that combine clinical care with community mobilization to address systemic inequities.
Questions
How do I enroll in programs?
Contact our New Bedford locations directly to speak with program coordinators about eligibility and enrollment processes for specific services.
What mental health services are available?
We offer individual/group therapy, trauma counseling, and school-based mental health programs using evidence-based practices like CBT and EMDR.
Are there youth mentorship opportunities?
Yes, programs like Boys to Men Mentoring and Leading Senoritas provide structured mentorship to improve academic performance and social-emotional skills.
Do you accept insurance?
Our mental health clinic accepts MassHealth and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for clinical services provided by licensed professionals.
How can families get emergency support?
Our 24/7 crisis intervention team provides after-hours mediation to prevent family conflicts from escalating into out-of-home placements.
What research initiatives are ongoing?
We partner with Boston University on EPA-funded studies examining environmental health risks in New Bedford's underserved communities.
