NORTH STAR FAMILY CENTER

Community > Community Organisations

Mission Statement
“The mission of North Star Family Center is to protect and strengthen children and families, by addressing their diverse social needs, through community based programs and relationships."
Our Vision
“By using the present to deal with the past and prepare our children for their future."
History
North Star Family Center was established in October 2009 by a group of social workers and foster parents who shared a vision of empowering children, youth, and families to achieve their full potential. The North Star staff has more than 20 years of combined experience working in social services with children, youth and families. North Star is a culturally diverse agency where English, Spanish and Hmong are spoken to better help our children and families. We welcome all children and families regardless of their gender, race, age, sexual orientation, sexual expression and identity.

Mary Dela Torre began her career as a foster parent before becoming a placement worker for her agency. She was responsible for finding homes for children who were removed from their families due to neglect, substance abuse, domestic violence, and many other issues involving affected families. Working as a placement worker was very frustrating at times. Trying to find adequate homes, especially for those children who were a bit more challenging, takes effort and perseverance. Over a few years, while still working as a placement worker, Mary began to pull together ideas from her family that would help develop a strong Foster Family Agency a family-friendly agency where children can be safe in their homes, and where family preservation is first and foremost.

Despite hurdles, setbacks, challenges and discouragement, North Star and our staff, each of whom are completely dedicated, stood fast and prevailed. In the four years since North Star’s beginning we have served approximately 1,200 children from Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties. Some children returned home and some found their way to their forever family. Either way, North Star has created the means for children and families to reach the stars. Learn more about us.

North Star has become a reality because of family and friends who always had a dream of truly changing the lives of the children in our community.

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