Leading with care and commitment
At Opening Hearts, our team doesn’t just supervise youth—we show up for them every day with patience, structure, and unwavering belief in their potential. We understand that trust is built over time, and we are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where youth feel seen, respected, and empowered to heal and grow.
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Starasia Ward
Founder & Owner
Starasia Ward is the Founder and Owner of Opening Hearts. With lived experience in foster care and years as a foster and adoptive parent, she leads with empathy, structure, and a deep commitment to trauma-informed care. Her vision centers on creating a safe, stable, and supportive home where youth feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow
Fredrick Richardson
Program Director
Fredrick Richardson is the Program Director at Opening Hearts. He brings extensive experience in youth development, residential care, and program leadership. Fred is responsible for overseeing daily operations, staff supervision, and ensuring that all services align with trauma-informed practices and Pennsylvania DHS regulations.
He is deeply committed to creating structured, supportive environments where youth feel safe, respected, and empowered to grow.
A team rooted in experience and compassion
The Opening Hearts team is made up of compassionate, experienced professionals deeply committed to supporting youth through trauma-informed, relationship-based care. Our team includes leadership with lived experience in the child welfare system, licensed and trained program leaders, and direct care staff dedicated to providing consistent structure, safety, and emotional support.
Team members bring diverse backgrounds in foster care, residential care, youth development, and mental health support. All staff are carefully selected for their ability to build trust, maintain appropriate boundaries, and support youth with empathy, patience, and accountability. We are extensively trained in trauma-informed practices, crisis prevention, de-escalation, mandated reporting, and positive behavior support.
Our unique approach to youth support
What makes the Opening Hearts team special is our unwavering commitment to showing up consistently, building genuine relationships, and meeting youth where they are. We understand that healing and growth flourish through trust, patience, and reliable support, rather than through punishment or rigid control.
Staff at Opening Hearts guide youth through daily routines, life skills development, emotional regulation, and healthy decision-making using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. We focus on teaching, modeling, and reinforcing positive behaviors while maintaining clear expectations and structure. Our team prioritizes open communication, individualized support, and collaboration with each youth’s support system, balancing empathy with accountability to help young people feel safe, respected, and capable.
Building confidence through ethical care
Families and community partners can feel confident in the Opening Hearts team because our care is rooted in lived experience, professional standards, and a deep understanding of what youth truly need to succeed. We are committed to providing consistent, high-quality care that prioritizes safety, stability, and emotional well-being for every young person.
We operate with clear structure, strong supervision, and trauma-informed practices that align with Pennsylvania state regulations and best practices in residential care. Our staff are carefully trained, supported, and held to high expectations to ensure youth receive dependable, compassionate, and ethical care at all times. At Opening Hearts, we believe trust is earned through transparency, collaboration, and follow-through, always advocating for each youth’s needs and focusing on long-term growth and healing.
"The dedication and compassionate support from the Opening Hearts team are truly exceptional. They build real connections and make every youth feel seen and valued."
A grateful community partner