NorthStar Learning Centers
We work with families, other organizations, coalitions, and government to remove historic barriers to educational and economic success, to increase our society's investment in children, and to open pathways for all children and families to achieve a better life.
Description:
Early education and afterschool programs: We provide active learning programs in which children gain skills, knowledge, and confidence that help them succeed in school and in life.
Youth development: We support youth in building personal, social, academic, and civic skills and competencies they need to be safe, healthy, successful, and responsible.
Family support: We work with biological, adoptive, and foster families to strengthen their ability to give children the best possible start in life.
History:
Organizational history:
An outgrowth of community action during the civil rights movement, United Front Development Corporation (UFDC) answered the call for decent, affordable housing by building United Front Homes in New Bedford’s West End. In 1974, UFDC established United Front Day Care Center as a separate nonprofit entity with the intent to provide social services to underserved cultural communities. Initially constituting one-third of the new organization’s board of directors, UFDC members played an instrumental role in getting the preschool center off the ground.
In 1975, United Front Homes Day Care Center opened its doors in the Community Building of United Front Homes. From the outset, we were committed to serving families who could not afford the full cost of programming. With state subsidies, our full-day, year-round program served preschoolers (aged two years, nine months to kindergarten) from low-income families whose parents were working, going to school to become more employable, or looking for work. The center also served at-risk preschool-aged children whose families were involved in the child welfare system.
In the early 1980s, United Front Homes Day Care Center led the way among area early childhood education providers in offering on-site therapeutic and other support services for children with special needs. In 1984, we responded to the burgeoning numbers of mothers going back to work or entering the workforce by opening one of the first area infant/toddler programs to serve children as young as one month old.
New name, same mission with broader programmatic scope:
Under the new name NorthStar Learning Centers, we remain grounded in our original vision to provide services to families who are attempting to create a better life—or, in the words of our mission statement, to “help children, youth, and families realize their strengths and dreams.” Responding to the changing needs of children, families, and the community, we now serve New Bedford area children from birth to adulthood. In three decades, we have grown from one preschool center intended to serve one neighborhood to two early childhood centers, a family child care system, and a broad array of afterschool and youth development programs.
• We help children to learn and thrive: We provide early education, afterschool, youth development, and family support to help New Bedford area children succeed in school and in becoming healthy, responsible, productive adults.
• We promote systemic change, including creating a more open opportunity structure: We work with families and other organizations to remove historic barriers to educational and economic success, to increase our society’s investment in children, and to open pathways for all children and families to achieve a better life. At the state level, we have long been leaders in advocating for informed public policy and adequate funding for children’s and youth programs.
Staying connected with our roots, NorthStar Learning Centers is a state-certified minority nonprofit organization. Our board and staff represent the cultural diversity and speak the home languages of our community—sending a powerful message that all can succeed in our programs.
Our commitment to teamwork:
Given the complex needs of today’s children, youth, and families, we recognize the imperative of working closely with other agencies, institutions, and other community stakeholders to provide an integrated, comprehensive, cost-effective service delivery system that transcends professional and bureaucratic boundaries.
Contact people:
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Maria A. Rosario, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Norma Alvarez, Chief Financial Officer, (phone), (email)
Rober French, Ph.D, Communications Director, (phone), (email) |
Office fax number: (508) 984-3389
Address:
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53 Linden StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.northstarlc.org
Directions:
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Coming from the south: Get on County Street heading north until the intersection on Linden Street. Take a right on Linden St. and then the immediate left into the parking lot.
Coming from the north: Get on Purchase Street heading. . . (more)
Nearest Bus Stop: Purchase Street/Linden Street Bus Stop |
| Last updated on February 11, 2009 |
