About Shining Stars Network
Building a Community Where Everyone Has a Place to Shine
Shining Stars Network brings individuals with special needs and the broader community together through the performing arts—creating confidence, connection, and true inclusion.
Who we are
More than a nonprofit. A community built through belonging.
Shining Stars Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating inclusive performing arts experiences where individuals with special needs, peer buddies, families, and supporters come together as one community.
We exist to make inclusion real—not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing experience of connection, creativity, friendship, and belonging.
Our story
It started with a gap—and a simple idea.
Shining Stars Network began with Brian and Courtney Curci. Like many individuals with special needs, they experienced strong inclusion when they were younger—but as they got older, those opportunities became less consistent and less meaningful.
There were activities. There were special nights. But there was not always a place that truly felt like their own—especially in the performing arts.
Then one day, at a birthday party in Cranford, New Jersey, Brian, Courtney, and their friends were singing and performing around a karaoke machine. In that moment, Sally Curci saw what was possible: what if this feeling of joy, confidence, and togetherness could become something more than a moment?
What if there was a place where individuals with special needs and the broader community could come together—not occasionally, but consistently—to create something meaningful through the performing arts?
What we built
A place people return to, grow in, and belong to.
What started as a local show in 2012 has become a growing community serving performers and families from more than seven New Jersey counties.
Our performers do not just participate. They return. Our buddies do not just volunteer. They build real friendships. Our families do not just attend. They find connection, support, and a community that understands them.
That is the dream Shining Stars was built on—and that is what continues to guide us today.
Our Mission
To build an inclusive community that empowers individuals with special needs through meaningful programs, shared experiences, and opportunities to connect—while inspiring others to actively participate in creating a more inclusive world.
Why It Matters
For performers
We create opportunities for individuals with special needs to build confidence, express themselves, develop friendships, and feel a true sense of belonging.
For families
We offer more than activities. We offer connection, encouragement, and a community where families feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful.
For the broader community
We help build a world where inclusion is not a one-off idea or a special project, but part of the fabric of everyday community life.
We are proud of how far we’ve come. We are even more driven by what still needs to be done.
There are still too many individuals and families looking for a place like this. With the right support, we can expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and make this community accessible to even more people across New Jersey and beyond.
Be part of what comes next.
Whether you join a program, volunteer, donate, or sponsor our work, you are helping create a more inclusive future—one where every performer has a place to belong and shine.