New Bedford Star Kids Scholarship Program
Holds Starry Night Event!

New Bedford Star Kids Scholarship Program held its 4th annual fund raiser at the Hawthorne Country Club in Dartmouth, March 26th 2011. There were over 150 guests and the main speaker was graduating senior, Mark Godding. Mark's sponsor's, Biff and Jane MacLean, gave him a graduation gift and a farewell hug. Mark will be attending Notre Dame in the fall with a full academic scholarship. Dr. Tim Flanigan, founder of Star Kids, acknowledged two of the New Bedford Chapter's key supporters, Kathy and Gurdon Wattles and the William Martin Family of Brahmin Leather Works in Fairhaven. This year the Martins donated an extra 10 new sponsorships. Altogether this is support for 20 children in the program; a charitable donation of $70,000 a year. "The contribution is paramount to any other donation given in prior years with the exception of its founder, Dr. Timothy Flanigan. It's the kind of giving that will impact this community in years to come. The Martin family wanted to give back to the community for giving them a wonderful work force throughout the years." says Judy Zwirblis, Executive Director of the New Bedford chapter.

Founder of the Star Kids Scholarship Program, Dr. Flanigan heads the Infectious Disease Department at Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital and Brown University and is a friend to kids whose parents have a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse. Dr. Flanigan mentioned that, "The extraordinary generosity of the Martins allows New Bedford Star Kids to get off to a running start-we hope before long to be helping 100 children who are 'at risk' in the greater New Bedford area. It is through education and support that we can break the cycle of hopelessness that is so common among children of incarcerated parents."

The goal is to have each child graduate from high school through their mission of providing educational opportunities in the form of tuition aid to effective non-public schools, uniforms, after-school and summer programs, tutoring and mentoring for those high-risk, low-income children who have a parent with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse. Children are typically enrolled in the program between kindergarten and Grade 4.

Star Kids students are enrolled at All Saints Catholic School,Bishop Stang High School, Friends Academy, Holy Family/ Holy Name, St. Francis Xavier, St. James/St. John's, St. Josephs/St. Therese, Nazarene Christian Academy, Nativity Prep. Along with good academics and a second home atmosphere, these schools have become a moral compass for their students.

The program is known to give families an opportunity with an added ingredient for success, that of accountability. Students must maintain a C+ average and with the help of their committed parents or guardians and tutors that the program supplies, it becomes possible. For further information contact Judy at 774-202-5224.

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