NorthStar Community

NorthStar Community NorthStar Community is a community-based recovery services provider.

We offer education, support groups, and counseling to individuals with a substance use disorder and their family members. Northstar Community offers a variety of addiction recovery services both to individuals struggling with substance use as well as family members who want to help loved ones with a substance use disorder. The services include: 12-step support groups and SMART recovery support groups, a friends and family education group, mental health and substance use counseling, family counseling, family recovery coaching, and more.

Hey all- below is the announcement about Kaila’s celebration of life service being held tomorrow for anyone who is able ...
11/06/2025

Hey all- below is the announcement about Kaila’s celebration of life service being held tomorrow for anyone who is able to show up to support Debi and her family.

Celebration of Life for Kaila Danielle Blackburn

With deepest love, we invite family and friends to join us in celebrating the beautiful life of Kaila Danielle Blackburn—our miracle child, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. Affectionately known as “KK” to her cousins, nieces, and many loved ones, she will always be remembered by her family as our everlasting sweet Kaila.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday November 7, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Midlothian, Virginia 23113. Together, we will share stories, blessings, and memories, rejoicing in the 31 years of light, faith, and love Kaila brought into our lives.

Kaila was born on June 13, 1994, in Virginia, and on September 27, 2025, at the age of 31, she ran into the arms of Jesus—free, whole, and radiant in His glory.

A true miracle from the beginning, Kaila entered this world with strength and light. Though she was born a little early, she was a fighter, and she grew into a vibrant, gifted, and loving young woman. She spent her childhood surrounded by friends and family in Virginia, the place she always called home and where her roots ran deep.

Kaila was a natural student and athlete. She swam, dove, played softball, and ran with such breathtaking speed and grace that she earned the nickname “Flash.” Her dedication and talent carried her to Virginia Tech, where she proudly competed as a Division I runner. Beyond athletics, Kaila’s warmth and energy made her a social butterfly—beautiful, kind, and full of joy.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. From an early age, Kaila loved her Jesus, and through her 31 years she remained steadfast, often teaching others through her wisdom and grace. Even in her hardest battles, she clung to her Savior with courage and unwavering trust.

Kaila’s joy was found in animals, flowers, nature, sunsets, and rainbows. She filled her world with beauty and gave love freely. She also treasured the simple, everyday connections that became part of her life—especially her Instacart family, both her customers and fellow shoppers, who brought her joy and companionship. Among her dearest earthly treasures was her very special friend, Linda Viglietti , who walked alongside her with love and faithfulness.

Kaila is survived by her loving parents, Debi and Tom Blackburn; her sister, Alisa Rivas, and Alisa’s husband, Rafael Rivas; and her adored niece and nephew, Isabella and Lucas Rivas. Kaila is also cherished by her grandparents Dave and Diane Daniels , many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless friends who loved her with all their hearts. She now joins loved ones in heaven, including her uncle David Daniels, rejoicing in the eternal presence of her Jesus .

We will not say that Kaila is “resting in peace.” Instead, we proclaim that she is Running in Paradise—whole, free, and forever embraced by the love of her Savior. That is exactly what Kaila would have wanted.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kaila Blackburn Memorial Fund through GoFundMe [ https://gofund.me/c3a2fe77e ] with proceeds supporting A Place of Miracles, Richmond Animal League, and scholarship funds for Kaila’s beloved niece and nephew, Isabella and Lucas.
GOD BLESS 🙏🏼

Celebration of Life for Kaila Danielle Blackburn June 13, 1994 – September 27, 2025 … Debi Blackburn needs your support for Kaila Blackburn Memorial Fund

02/01/2025

Hey all- we have someone who needs help getting to NSC tmw morning. He wants to celebrate his 2 year sobriety anniversary with us and doesn’t have his own transportation. Is anyone available for a ride?

He’s near Staples Mill and Hermitage.

01/11/2025

Hey all-

We will not be meeting tomorrow (1/12/25) out of an abundance of caution, anticipating icy conditions on roads and parking lots.

See you next week!

Hello Friends,Update on the In-Person Women's group that meets at 1213 Porter St. on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm:We will ...
06/25/2024

Hello Friends,

Update on the In-Person Women's group that meets at 1213 Porter St. on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm:

We will be on "Summer Sabbatical" for the month of July. We plan to resume meeting in-person in August with a focus on our vagal nerves.

Many of us will be taking an online class with Daily Om titled 'The Vagus Nerve Miracle'. It is a pay what you can course and the link is attached here:

https://www.dailyom.com/courses/the-vagus-nerve-miracle/

The focus of the class is to understand our vagus nerve and how to de-stress and regulate our body and emotions for optimal well-being.

Whether or not you take the course, you are invited to join us in August as we discuss and practice what we learn.

Enjoy the season.

Love and Peace,

Tami

Having the tools to soothe your nervous system allows you to navigate the inevitable stressors of life with greater ease. In this course, trauma-informed yoga therapist Melissa Romano will teach you how to effectively process and manage stress, regulate your emotions, and release stored trauma by wo...

05/27/2024
Hey all- we're throwing a party!Northstar Community has been alive for 25 years...and we can't quite believe it...but we...
02/20/2024

Hey all- we're throwing a party!

Northstar Community has been alive for 25 years...and we can't quite believe it...but we're going to celebrate anyway! In keeping with our life philosophy, it will be low key. We will eat food and we will hang out together. We won't make you listen to any speakers drone on and on...but we would encourage you to show up and share with each other what your experience of community has been and how it's helped you on your journey. Let's make this about you, and not so much about Northstar. That's what would feel right.

Also- let us know if you're coming please! And if you want to help out let me know and I'll put you in touch with our diligent planners. We are looking for some help with food in particular.

Here are the details.
When: Saturday March 9, 4-6pm (pop in and out as you see fit)
Where: 1213 Porter St Richmond, VA 23224 (enter by the accessibility ramp on 13th St)

Sign up here so we can plan for food:

Northstar Community has been alive for 25 years...and we can't quite believe it...but we're going to celebrate anyway! In keeping with our life philosophy, it will be low key. We will eat food and we will hang out together. We won't make you listen to any boring speakers...but we would encourage you...

11/05/2023

Ever wonder why you can get sober, but cannot stay sober? It is the million dollar question. We won't answer this morning, but we will give it a go and perhaps something helpful will emerge. 9:30 a.m., at NSC. Hope to see you there.

04/25/2023

Hey all-

Scott here.

Just a reminder we're having our Fireside Chat tonight at 6pm, both in person at 563 Southlake as well online via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84402159300).

This is an opportunity to talk about what it means for NSC that Teresa has moved into another position. We can talk about...anything you want...but I'm imagining we'll talk about some of the fears that come up when a key member of our team moves on and what the implications of this might be. We'll also talk about our hopes for the future (what you would like to see us do, or what you would like to see us expand). And- whatever else comes up.

I hope to see you there- face-to-face or through a screen. I'm happy either way.

04/15/2023

The third and final part of our requests vs. boundaries vs. ultimatum series!

Both requests & boundaries are great tools for us to use if we know what to expect from each. Ultimatums, however, can be very different. When issued with anger and the intent to control others, however, a boundary can become an ultimatium, which is much less likely to be enforced and more likely to try and control their behavior, instead of your own.

Learn more about requests vs. boundaries vs. ultimatums on the Gottman Relationship Blog here: https://bit.ly/3mjPmsd

Please note: this post is not intended to address situations of abuse. If you or someone you know is in need of individualized support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-7233 or by texting 88788.

03/12/2023

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CHRISTMAS PARTY INFO.Okay there's no need to shout, I get it.Teresa and Pete are hosting on us on Friday, Dec. 16th at 6...
12/06/2022

CHRISTMAS PARTY INFO.

Okay there's no need to shout, I get it.

Teresa and Pete are hosting on us on Friday, Dec. 16th at 6pm. Teresa will make lasagna. If anyone wants to bring sides and desserts...feel free.

Sign up so they know how many to count on (please):

Schedule your appointment online Northstar Community

Address

1213 Porter Street
Richmond, VA
23224

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