Horizons for Homeless Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and their families. We provide homeless children in Massachusetts with the nurturing, stimulation and opportunities for early education and play that all children need to learn and grow in healthy ways.

Description:
Horizons for Homeless Children is an independent, nonprofit organization providing services for homeless children and their families. It is the only organization in Massachusetts working specifically to meet the needs of homeless children. To make healthy play possible for children in shelter settings, our Playspace Programs build age-appropriate, kid-friendly "Playspaces," equipped with libraries, climbing structures, art supplies- tools to challenge children physically and creatively and allow them to be just who they are... kids. Our Playspace Activity Leaders engage children in fun, educational play so that they can grow and develop. To date, we currently have nearly 600 active volunteers working at over 50 sites across Greater Boston.

History:
Horizons for Homeless Children was founded as The Horizons Initiative in 1988 to respond to the growing needs of homeless children and their families. Through our Playspace Programs, we install and maintain Playspaces in local family shelters, and stock them with age-appropriate toys and materials. Our Playspace Volunteer Network recruits, trains, and places volunteers in family shelters and in domestic violence shelters to facilitate activities with the children living there.
In addition, Horizons for Homeless Children operates the Community Children's Centers, which provide full-time child care to more than 130 children from Boston family shelters, as well as offering support services for the families.
We provide leadership in advocating for homeless children and their families through leveraging and sharing our expertise with others and advocating with policy makers and the public.

Contact person: Kerry Mullin, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (617) 522-9910

Address:

Mailing Address: 1705 Columbus Ave Roxbury, MA 02119 (See a map)

Directions:

Please note: Volunteers are placed directly in family shelters and domestic violence shelters to play with children. We work with over 50 different shelters throughout the Greater Boston area, and work with each volunteer individually to find a match. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: varies   Nearest Bus Stop: varies For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

Overall Experience   
Currently Tutor College Students English as a Second Language at my college.

I am not part of an agency. I am a parent, college student, and English tutor part-time as employment and once in a while on my own time. I thoroughly enjoy tutoring English. I cherish the fact that I have something to offer people. I can get them through their first stepping stone of achieving academic success. What I have gained is a knowledge of so many different cultures and diverse lifestyles. posted by GenXer1967 on November 6, 2005

Overall Experience   
Volunteering through The Horizons Initiative has been rewarding and well-organized!

posted on April 10, 2000