A wider circle

Looking across the lake this year, the scene felt both familiar and different.

The boats were back.

The families were back.

But the circle had grown.

A year after our first boating event, families from Toronto, Buffalo, and Rochester gathered with us again by the lakeside.

Children headed onto the water with support from volunteers and activity leaders, trying kayaks and paddleboards under the summer sun. Nearby, parents gathered to hear from specialists, exchange experiences, and take part in a guided meditation — a little space to pause and recharge while the children explored.

Around them, the rest of the day unfolded in its own easy rhythm: food and snacks shared across picnic tables, chess games, bubbles drifting through the air, bikes on the grass, and children moving freely from one activity to the next.

This year, several Starry Bridge Buddy Families — families intentionally connected to build lasting friendships and mutual support — joined us too. That sense of connection is at the heart of what we hope to build: a community where families feel supported, and where parents have the space to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with greater clarity and strength.

We’re grateful to our partner organizations and every family who traveled to spend the day with us.