Wikipedia

Horizons for Homeless Children

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

Horizons for Homeless Children provides spaces for children experiencing homelessness to play and learn.[2] The organization 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

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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

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Early education center

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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

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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

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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

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Horizons for Homeless Children is funded by the federal and Massachusetts state government,[7] as well as private and corporate donors.[7] In the past, the organization has received 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]

The organization also works with Boston Public Schools through their Universal Pre-K program to assist with Kindergarten placements.[15]

In 2023, the organization partnered with Cradles to Crayons and Neighborhood Villages to provide children in shelters with winter coats, hats, gloves, diapers, books, school supplies, and play kits.[16]

Events

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Annual breakfast

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Horizons for Homeless Children hosts an annual breakfast event to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Notable guest speakers include Maya Angelou,[17] Tara Westover,[5] Angie Thomas,[18] and Nia Vardalos.[19] Typical attendance for the event is over 1000 guests.[5]

Annual gala

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The organization also hosts an annual gala event. Notable guests include Joe Kennedy III,[20] Charlie Baker,[21] Walter McCarty,[20] Emily Rooney,[20] Jonathan Lavine[20]

Previous sponsors of the event include MFS Investment Management and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.[21]

References

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  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 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 e "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. ^ Rogers, Madison (March 28, 2024). "Wu, Pressley Celebrate $1 Mil Federal Funding For Unhoused Boston Families". WBZ. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Eldahshoury, Mae (March 28, 2024). "Pressley, Wu, Advocates Celebrate $1M Secured for Childcare for Families Experiencing Homelessness". Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  15. ^ "Universal Pre-K Boston / Horizons for Homeless Children". Boston Public Schools. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Initiative by Cradles to Crayons, Horizons for Homeless Children, and Neighborhood Villages to Provide Families Receiving Emergency Assistance with Winter Essentials". Mass.gov. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "Sturchio helps Horizons for Homeless Children raise $700K". Wicked Local. Gannett. October 19, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  18. ^ Miles, Ellen (October 13, 2020). "Best Selling Author Angie Thomas to Keynote Fundraising Event for Horizons for Homeless Children". Business Wire. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Vardalos to speak at benefit". The Boston Globe. October 15, 2013. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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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