Star Kids has served the children of the New Bedford community since 2001. New Bedford Star Kids students attend local non-public schools including All Saints Catholic, Bishop Stang, Freetown-Lakeville Middle, Friends Academy, Holy Family Holy Name, Nazarene Christian Academy, New Bedford Global Charter, New Bedford Vocational High School, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Joseph

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, BA, 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 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 formed an advisory board and initiated 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, allowed us to achieve our goal of expanding the Star Kids Scholarship Program in New Bedford and will allow the program to eventually grow to serve 100 children in the New Bedford community in addition to the 100 children in Newport and Fall River.

The New Bedford program became a formal chapter of the Newport/Fall River Star Kids Scholarship Program on July 1, 2009. Judy Zwirblis is the Executive Director of Star Kids New Bedford and will be responsible for the administrative and educational responsibilities of the New Bedford community program.

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

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