Horizons for Homeless Children

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Horizons for Homeless Children
Formation1988; 36 years ago (1988)
FoundersLinda A. Mason and Roger H. Brown
Type501(c)(3) organization
22-2915188
Headquarters1785 Columbus Ave
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Location
Websitehorizonschildren.org

Horizons for Homeless Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Massachusetts which provides early education and services for children and families experiencing homelessness.[1]

Horizons for Homeless Children provides spaces for children experiencing homelessness to play and learn.[2] The organization program operates an early childhood education center in Roxbury,[3] in addition to "playspaces" installed in shelters for families experiencing homelessness across Massachusetts.[4] The organization also assists parents with job searches and goal setting.[2]

History

Linda A. Mason and Roger H. Brown, co-founders of child-care provider Bright Horizons, along with Michael R. Eisenson,[5] founded the organization in 1988 to serve the needs of homeless children in the Greater Boston area.[6][7]

Kate Barrand currently serves as the President and CEO of the organization.[6]

Programs

Early education center

The early education center serves 225 children who are currently experiencing homelessness or have recently experienced homelessness.[8] Serving children between the ages of two months to five years old, each classroom is led by a bilingual teacher and support staff.[7] The education center operates year-round, and all of the organization’s programs are free for families.[2]

The center's curriculum integrates STEM programming, including engineering and coding, to provide students with early exposure to science and technology.[9]

Playspace Program

The Playspace Program installs rooms in family homeless shelters across Massachusetts which provide safe environments for children experiencing homelessness to play.[10] Playspaces are staffed by volunteers.[11] Many Playspaces are located in hotels and motels which have been converted into emergency shelters for families experiencing homelessness.[12]

Family Partnerships Program

The Family Partnerships Program provides "Family Advocates" which assist parents with transitioning out of homelessness and leaving the shelter system. The program also provides classes in financial literacy and parenting.[7]

Partners and funders

Horizons for Homeless Children is funded by the federal and state government,[13] as well as private and corporate donations.[7] The organization receives funding from the federal government for emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in Boston.[13][14]

Horizons for Homeless Children partners with many organizations. These partners include the DevTech Research Group at Boston College which provides curriculum and support for early coding and robotics for children.[9] The organization's engineering programming is also supported by the Museum of Science.[9]

Events

Annual breakfast

Horizons for Homeless Children hosts an annual breakfast event to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Notable guest speakers include Maya Angelou[15] and Nia Vardalos.[16] Other notable attendees include Marylou Sudders,[5] Lauren Baker,[5] Annissa Essaibi George.[5]

Annual gala

The organization also hosts an annual gala event. Notable guests include Joe Kennedy III,.[17] Charlie Baker,[18] Walter McCarty,[17] Emily Rooney[17], Jonathan Lavine[17]

Previous sponsors of the event include MFS Investment Management and Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.[18]

References

  1. ^ Hanson, Melissa (December 26, 2021). "Thousands of children are homeless in Massachusetts as COVID keeps families hesitant from staying in shelters". MassLive. Advance Local Media. ISSN 2641-2829. OCLC 52000893. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Browning, Kellen (August 1, 2019). "Horizons for Homeless Children is a lifeline of learning for struggling families". The Boston Globe. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Carlock, Catherine (May 12, 2021). "Inside Roxbury's new Horizons for Homeless Children facility". Boston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. ISSN 0746-4975. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Jacobson, Linda (April 30, 2021). "'No one knew we were homeless': relief funds hope to reach students missing from virtual classrooms". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Kaufman, Hayley (October 23, 2019). "Horizons for Homeless Children breakfast welcomes author Tara Westover". The Boston Globe. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Logan, Tim (June 16, 2018). "Five things you should know about Kate Barrand". The Boston Globe. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Horizons for Homeless Children". Philanthropy News Digest. Candid. January 12, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Emanuel, Gabrielle (June 14, 2022). "How child care can build kids' brains, one interaction at a time". WBUR. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Bleichfeld, Avery (June 19, 2024). "Horizons brings STEM ed to life for children experiencing homelessness". Bay State Banner. ISSN 1946-6730. OCLC 6749070. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Tarantal, Erika (March 14, 2019). "5 for Good: Volunteers help homeless children through trauma-informed playspace program". WCVB. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Emanuel, Gabrielle (October 25, 2023). "The youngest kids in Mass. shelters need more support, advocates warn". WBUR. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  12. ^ Grobman, Sammy (March 23, 2024). "Concord quietly welcoming migrants to local emergency shelter". Concord Bridge. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Pressley, Wu, advocates celebrate $1M secured for childcare for families experiencing homelessness". Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Boston, Massachusetts. March 28, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Rogers, Madison (March 28, 2024). "Wu, Pressley Celebrate $1 Mil Federal Funding For Unhoused Boston Families". WBZ. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "Sturchio helps Horizons for Homeless Children raise $700K". Wicked Local. Gannett. October 19, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "Vardalos to speak at benefit". The Boston Globe. October 15, 2013. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d Shanahan, Mark; Goldstein, Meredith (April 9, 2013). "Horizons for Homeless Children benefit draws a crowd". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Horizons for Homeless Children Gala Raises $1.3M, a Record". MassNonprofit News LLc. May 28, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
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