Organization Information

Mission Statement

Horizons for Homeless Children is committed to improving the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helping their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. To support our mission, we also advocate on behalf of young children, train educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless children.

Description

Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for caring, dependable individuals to interact and play with children living in homeless family shelters and domestic violence programs across the state.

Our Playspace Program is based on the belief that play is essential for child development. Our Playspace Program ensures that each child living in a homeless shelter in Massachusetts has the opportunity for developmentally appropriate play.

We build age-appropriate, child-friendly, educational Playspaces in shelters and stock them with books, developmental toys, and art supplies. Every Playspace includes: an infant area, a literacy area, an arts and crafts area, a manipulative area, and a dramatic play area.

Playspaces are staffed by trained volunteers, called Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs), who commit two hours weekly for at least six months. PALs enable parents to to participate in activities such as parenting groups, budgeting classes or job searches.

Interested in becoming a Playspace Activity Leader? Apply Today! https://horizonschildren.org/application/