STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way...

💙 Join STAR tomorrow at the Community Connections Fair! 💙

We’re excited to be part of this wonderful event bringing together local organizations and resources for individuals and families in our community. Stop by to connect with organizations, learn about available services, and discover resources that can help support you and your loved ones.

Come visit our table to learn more about our programs and services and how we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We’d love to see you!

📅 Tomorrow, October 3
⏰ 2:00–4:30 PM
📍 New Canaan Library

Come connect, learn, and discover the resources available right here in our community! ✨

🌟 Gala Speaker: Rick Spalding 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Rick Spalding as the featured speaker at this year’s STAR Annual Gala & Auction on Friday, October 23!

Rick has a special connection to STAR through his sister, Annie, who has been a longtime recipient of STAR services. Annie currently resides in one of STAR’s residential homes and is truly a joy to be around. 💙

Annie’s story is a wonderful example of the lasting impact STAR can have on individuals and their families. We’re looking forward to hearing Rick share more about Annie, their family’s experience with STAR, and what makes our mission so meaningful.

Join us for a night celebrating the individuals and families at the heart of STAR!

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Country Club of New Canaan
⏰ 6:30–11:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets are available now!

Proceeds from the Gala will help STAR continue making a difference in the lives of individuals like Annie and so many others in our community.

🌟 Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! 🌟

This month, we celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. We are grateful for the many individuals and families who help make our communities stronger, more vibrant, and more connected.

From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate the heritage, achievements, and voices that continue to shape the communities we are proud to be a part of. ❤️

Join us in celebrating and honoring Hispanic heritage this month and always!

📣 SportsBuddies Practice Update!

Due to the weather expected this weekend, we’re moving our SportsBuddies practice indoors! 🏀

Instead of our usual location, practice will be held at:

📍 New Canaan High School Auxiliary Gym
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM

We’re looking forward to still getting together and having a great practice! 💙

🌧️ Please continue to check your email for updates in case the weather worsens and we need to cancel practice.

LIVE AUCTION HIGHLIGHT! ✨

Get ready for an unforgettable night of food and w**e! One lucky winner will take home an incredible six-person catered dinner prepared by Chef Jonathan Mathias of A Dash of Salt Catering , complete with carefully curated w**e pairings donated by Leary's Liquor Cabinet to complement the meal.

Gather your favorite people and enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience right at home, with an incredible chef taking care of the details. ✨

This is just one of the amazing experiences you’ll have the chance to bid on at the 2026 STAR Gala & Auction!

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Country Club of New Canaan
🕡 6:30–11:00 PM

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Come ready to eat, drink, bid, and make an impact.

🧘‍♀️ Taking time to slow down, stretch, and breathe! 💙

Our individuals enjoyed a relaxing yoga class with Inner Ring Wellness, learning simple breathing techniques and movements to help promote relaxation, mindfulness, and overall well-being.

It was a great way to take a break, try something new, and focus on wellness! 🌿✨

🕊️ Wishing a meaningful Yom Kippur to all who observe.

May this day bring a time of reflection, peace, forgiveness, and renewal. Wishing you and your loved ones a year filled with peace and blessings. 🤍

📣 WE’RE HIRING! 💙

Looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference? Come meet the STAR team at our upcoming Job Fair!
We’re hiring for:

✨ Direct Support Professionals
✨ Assistant House Managers
✨ Administrative positions

📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Norwalk Library, 1 Belden Ave., Norwalk, CT
📌 2nd Floor Auditorium

We have full- and part-time opportunities available, including day and overnight shifts. Starting pay is $18.50/hour, with benefits available for positions of 30+ hours per week.

💙 On-site interviews will be available!
Come learn more about joining the STAR team and helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live meaningful, independent lives in their communities.

We hope to see you there!

💙 Happy DSP Appreciation Week! 💙

This week, we’re celebrating the amazing Direct Support Professionals who show up every day and make such a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals we support!

DSPs are there for the big milestones, the everyday moments, the challenges, the celebrations, and everything in between. They help individuals reach their goals, build independence, try new things, and live the lives they want to live. Their compassion, patience, dedication, and heart make such an incredible impact on our STAR community.

To all of our DSPs, THANK YOU! 💙 We appreciate you, we are grateful for you, and we truly couldn’t do what we do without you. Thank you for everything you bring to your work and to the individuals you support each and every day!

Help us celebrate our amazing DSPs this week! 🎉💙

🍂 Last Call for STAR’s Fall Family Forum! 🍂

Don’t miss tomorrow’s conversation about Employment Services and the opportunities available through STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way.

We’ll talk about:
• Job skills training programs
• Job placement
• On-site job coaching

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 STAR, Inc. | 182 Wolfpit Ave., Norwalk
🥪 Light bites will be provided

Join us to learn more about how STAR can help individuals explore employment opportunities and build skills for the workplace.

Please RSVP to Dottie Jankowski at [email protected].

We hope to see you there! 🍁