Horizons for Homeless Children
Non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| |
| Formation | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Linda A. Mason, Roger H. Brown, and Michael R. Eisenson |
| Type | 501(c)(3) organization |
| 22-2915188 | |
| Headquarters | 1785 Columbus Ave Roxbury, Massachusetts |
| Location |
|
| Website | horizonschildren |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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