Star Kids has had a presence in the New Bedford community since 2001. New Bedford Star Kids students attend local non-public schools including Holy Family/Holy Name School, Nazarene Christian Academy, St. Joseph/St. Theresa, Mullein Hill Christian Academy, Seekonk Christian Academy, Our Sister's School, Nativity Prep and Bishop Stang High School. As we explored ways to offer this opportunity to more children, we discovered that there are an overwhelming number of potentially eligible children for our program in the New Bedford community. This fact inspired the Star Kids Executive Committee to explore the possibility of further expanding our program there. We decided to find someone who could take the model we have developed and tailor it to the New Bedford area.

Judy Zwirblis, MTS, was hired in December 2006 as Star Kids Associate Director for New Bedford. Judy has been able to explore many new possibilities for our Star Kids there. She has worked hard over the last year to develop relationships with the social service agencies to identify eligible students. She has explored new schools, interviewed families, written grants and investigated new sources of funding. She has formed an advisory board and held a spring fundraiser, "Starry Night" at the New Bedford Country Club.

In April, 2008, Judy met Bill and Joan Martin and their son, Scott, owners of the Brahmin Leather in Fairhaven, MA. In their desire to "give back" to the community, the Martins made a significant contribution to Star Kids administrative and educational programs. This contribution, combined with the other funding that has been committed, will allow us to achieve our goal of having an independent Star Kids Scholarship Program in New Bedford with its own 501 c 3 beginning on July 1, 2009.

The program will continue under the auspices of the Star Kids Scholarship Program for the 2008-09 school year with 31 students. During this time Judy Zwirblis will assume more of the administrative responsibilities of the program, including applying for the 501 c 3 non profit status.

On July 1, 2009, Judy will officially become the Executive Director of the New Bedford Star Kids Scholarship Program. The mission of the program will remain the same and ten new students will be added to the program each year, eventually growing to 100 students.

For more information about New Bedford Star Kids, please contact Judy Zwirblis at 774-202-5224 or jzwirblis@comcast.net.

Providing educational opportunities to low-income, high-risk children