In 1996 STARS started activities in the field of disability rehabilitation and development. Now these activities have become its premier activities. The school for the mentally challenged and the psychosocial rehabilitation centre for the differently abled stand out in Kozhikode city as STARS veritable commitment to service to God and Country. A manufacturing unit, as part of macro income generation programme at the rehabilitation centre, was another feather on STARS’ hat. STARS has been living up to its vision of “Creating a Society in which all disadvantaged persons lives a just and dignified life.”

STARS had its origin after long birth pangs due to charity and welfare approaches of development. Down through the years, our area in and around Kozhikode witnessed this 'band-aid' development which could not heal the wounds of exploitation, lopsided development and various discriminations. As a panacea to this age old problems faced by the poorest people, our pioneers developed a vision for a new Society based on justice, equality and fullness of life for all. Thus the St.Thomas Association for Rural Service (STARS) came into existence and got registered as a Social Service Society in September 1991. The goal of the organization is the inclusion of the socially and economically excluded sections of the society to the mainstream.