Evening Stars Barbados

No parent should face autism alone.

Co. # 54298

Empowering children with autism and supporting families through care, education, and community programs.

Programs

Evening Care & Respite
Safe, supervised evening care with sensory play, social interaction, and structured activities for children with autism.Parent & Caregiver sessions.
Monthly sessions providing practical strategies, coping tools, and support for families navigating autism.Community Outreach & Awareness
School talks, awareness campaigns, and community events to promote understanding, inclusion, and support.

About

Mission: To empower children with autism and support
families through care, education and holistic community programs.Vision: A Barbados where every child with autism is valued,
supported, and given the opportunity to shine.

Leadership &
Board of Directors

Our leadership team brings together lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to supporting children with autism and their families.

Vice Chairperson

Sonia Maloney — Founder & Chairperson
Sonia brings lived experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting families navigating autism. She leads the organisation’s vision, programme development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on building accessible, community-based support systems across Barbados.

Vice Chairperson

Shaneka Millar-Kellman — Vice Chairperson
J.P. | BA (Hons) Psychology | Counselling Psychologist | Certified Holistic Counsellor
Shaneka is a Counselling Psychologist with expertise in emotional well-being, child development, behavioural support, and family counselling. As Vice Chairperson of Evening Stars Barbados, she provides strategic leadership in programme development, parent education, and community outreach.
She designs and delivers practical autism training workshops for parents, caregivers, teachers, volunteers, and professionals, helping to build confidence, understanding, and inclusive practices across Barbados. Shaneka is committed to empowering families through evidence-informed education, compassion, and collaborative community support.

Kathryn Daniel — Public Relations
CEO & Lead Designer, Southpaw Grafix Inc.
Kathryn leads communications and brand visibility for the organisation, bringing expertise in design, media, and public engagement to strengthen outreach and awareness efforts.

Deandra Cummins — Treasurer
Deandra oversees financial management and accountability, ensuring transparency and responsible stewardship of the organisation’s resources as it grows and expands its programmes.

Carolann Lashley — Secretary
Carolann supports governance and administrative coordination, ensuring effective communication, documentation, and organisational compliance across board operations.

Advisory & Technical Team

Dr. Jennifer C. Campbell — Programme & Clinical Advisor
MBBS, DCH, DM (Paeds, UWI)
Dr. Campbell provides clinical oversight and guidance in developmental paediatrics, supporting the design of evidence-based programmes and interventions.

Dr. Gemma-Ann Benskin — Advisor
Paediatrician | Well Kids Clinic, UWI
Dr. Benskin contributes medical insight into child development and early intervention, supporting programme quality and alignment with best practices.

Providing clinical guidance and supporting the development of evidence-based programs.

Meet the Founder

Founder & Chairperson – Sonia MaloneyAs a mother with lived experience raising a child with autism, Sonia understands first-hand the emotional, practical, and financial challenges many families face.Her vision for Evening Stars Barbados is rooted in building a more inclusive Barbados — where children with autism are supported, families feel seen, and no parent has to navigate the journey alone.Sonia holds qualifications in Special Needs, Nursing and Patient Care, and Natural Medicine, and continues to strengthen her work through ongoing training in child development, inclusion, and family support.Her recent professional development includes:
• University of Colorado – Managing ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Concussion in School
• UNICEF – Becoming an Inclusion ChampionThrough Evening Stars Barbados, Sonia is committed to helping create stronger support systems, more informed communities, and better outcomes for children with autism across Barbados.“Evening Stars Barbados was created to bridge the gap between diagnosis and real, everyday support for families.”

Contact us

Sonia . Maloney — Founder & Chairperson📞 +1 (246) 846-9979
✉️ [email protected]
🌐
www.eveningstarsbarbados.org

impact

Our ImpactSince launching in December 2025, Evening Stars Barbados has been building a family support hub for Christ Church, St. George and surrounding communities. Here is what we have achieved so far.7 workshops
Delivered online and in person for parents, caregivers and educators112 participants
Parents, caregivers and teachers reached directly, with many more families reached through the educators we trained2 Recharge respite sessions
9 child places across two sessions (5 in Session 1 and 4 in Session 2)7 people trained
2 volunteers and 5 ESB directors prepared to support our programmesWhat families are telling us
Parents and caregivers who completed our feedback survey responded positively, and all respondents asked for Recharge to continue on a regular basis.Pilot progress (2025-2026)
Caregiver workshops: 7 delivered (goal: 12)
Families reached: 100+ (goal: 30+)
Children supported through respite: [unique number] so far (goal: 10-15)
Our Recharge respite pilot continues one Saturday each month until January 2027, so these numbers will keep growing.What's next
Recharge continues monthly through January 2027, and our Autism in the Classroom follow-up workshop takes place on November 4. When the pilot ends, we will review results with families and partners and plan our next phase.See our events | Partner with us: [email protected]

PARTNERS

Community Partners:

Southpaw Grafix inc.
Earth Mother Soulleaf
Natural Goodness Barbados
Colour XL
Cobham Captures
Simply Magic
MGrafix.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Interested in partnering?“Become a Partner”

Events

Upcoming EventsRecharge: Respite & Inclusive Activities
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 2:30pm-6:30pm
Bush Hall Resource Centre, St. Michael
Inclusive play, sensory and creative activities for autistic children ages 4+, with play-based support from Play Therapy with Tammy. Space is limited and registration is required.
Register here:Later dates: Nov 14, Dec 12, 2026 and Jan 16, 2027Autism in the Classroom: Follow-Up WorkshopWednesday, November 4, 2026
In collaboration with Caribbean Autism Support Education (CASE)
Time, venue and registration: coming soonPast EventsSeptember 30, 2026: Autism in the Classroom
Workshop in collaboration with Caribbean Autism Support Education (CASE)September 15, 2026: Understanding Autism
Workshop at the Barbados Council for the DisabledSeptember 12 and August 15, 2026: Recharge Respite Sessions 2 and 1
Inclusive activities for autistic children while parents rest, at Bush Hall Resource CentreJune 2, 2026: Autism & Family Support Workshop
Oistins ChapelApril 14, 2026: Autism & Family Support Workshop
Black RockFebruary 2026: Autism & Family Support Workshops
Focused sessions supporting families navigating autism and neurodiversity. Topics: Understanding Autism, Parent & Caregiver Support, Emotional Balance & Communication, Home & School Strategies.February 2026: Volunteer & Community Engagement Drive
Recruitment, training and community sensitisation.February 2026: Staff & Volunteer Training
Safeguarding, ethics and service excellence.December 2025: Community Launch
A sensory-friendly, inclusive event marking the start of our pilot programme and bringing together families, volunteers and community partners.Ongoing: Outreach & Partnerships
Engagement with schools, organisations and community groups to strengthen support systems across Barbados.7 workshops | 112+ participants | 2 respite sessionsWant us at your school, church or workplace?
Ask about hosting an Evening Stars workshop: [email protected]

MEDIA & PRESS

📺 Television Feature — Morning Barbados
Evening Stars Barbados was featured live on national television, sharing our mission and highlighting the urgent need for autism support services and inclusive care across Barbados.
👉 Watch Interview
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AdVqcCa8u/https://www.youtube.com/live/uyThm6bKgxU?si=PcsJekrU2hqIcm9D📰 News Feature — Barbados Today
Evening Stars Barbados was featured in Barbados Today, highlighting our advocacy for autism support, inclusive education, and resources for families navigating neurodiversity.👉 Read Article
https://barbadostoday.bb/2026/04/10/evening-stars-barbados-pushes-for-autism-support-and-inclusion/👉 Read Article
https://barbadostoday.bb/2026/04/10/parents-urged-to-advocate-for-children-as-autism-services-struggle/

Support Our Work!

Governance & Transparency

Evening Stars Barbados is committed to strong governance, accountability, and ethical leadership.We operate in accordance with our Constitution, Bylaws, and adopted policies.🏛 Board Oversight
Our Board provides oversight for:
• Financial accountability
• Safeguarding
• Policy compliance
• Risk management
• Programme quality📑 Policies We Have Adopted:
Governance & Risk Manual
Financial & Donations Manual
Safeguarding Policy
Code of Ethics
Volunteer Code of Conduct💰 Financial Accountability
We maintain:
• Board-approved budgets
• Dual signatories
• Financial reporting
• Proper records📬 Reporting & Complaints
Email: [email protected]🌍 Legal Status
Registered Nonprofit
Co. #54298
Established 2025

PARENT RESOURCE

Many parents notice developmental differences but are unsure where to start.Evening Stars Barbados supports families with guidance, information, and community resources.
Early Signs of Autism (Ages 2–4)Communication
• Few or no words by age 2–3
• Limited response to name
• Difficulty expressing needsSocial Interaction
• Limited eye contact
• Prefers playing alone
• Does not imitate actionsBehaviour Patterns
• Repetitive movements (rocking, hand flapping)
• Lining up toys
• Distress when routines changeSensory Differences
• Sensitive to sounds, textures, or lights
• Fascination with spinning objects👉 Note: Not all children showing these signs are autistic. Speak with a doctor if concerns persist.What Parents Can Do Next1. Speak with a Doctor
Start with a polyclinic doctor, pediatrician, or family doctor.
Request a developmental assessment if needed.2. Contact Student Support Services
The Ministry of Education provides evaluations and guidance on school support options.3. Start Early Intervention
Early support may include:
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Behavioural supportSchool Options in Barbados
Children may attend:• Mainstream schools with support
• Special education programmes
• Specialised schools
Examples include:
• Challenor Creative Arts & Training Centre
• The Schoolhouse for Special Needs
• Derrick Smith School & Vocational Centre
• Erdiston Special Needs School
• The Learning Centre
Parent Support
Families can connect with:
• Autism support groups
• Therapy providers
• Community organisationsEvening Stars Barbados provides:
• Parent education workshops
• Community support networks
• Advocacy and awareness
• Future respite and care servicesContact ESB
Need guidance? Connect on facebook or instagram .We work alongside existing services to help families understand their options and access the support they need.