Horizons for Homeless Children

The mission of Horizons for Homeless Children is to improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services.

Thanks to our specially trained staff, whose efforts are supported and amplified by hundreds of committed volunteers and donors, Horizons provides hope and opportunity to the families we serve. Our four pillars of work include:
Early Education Centers: We operate one of the state’s top-ranked early education programs, which starts children along the path toward success at school.
Playspace Program: We give children in shelters play experiences that let them be kids for a few hours each week.
Family Partnerships Program: We give their parents a much-needed respite from the difficulties of homelessness, a shoulder to lean on, and practical guidance toward getting their lives back on track.
Policy & Advocacy: We highlight the unique needs of homeless children and families to ensure they are consistent priorities among policymakers on local, state, and federal levels.

Horizons for Homeless Children was founded in 1988 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to serving young homeless children and their families.
Horizons for Homeless Children touches the lives of more than 2,000 young homeless children each week in Massachusetts through Playspaces (educational and recreational spaces) in shelters and 175 children through its three Community Children's Centers, Boston's only comprehensive, full-time early education and childcare centers specifically for young homeless children

Annual Women's Breakfast. Featured guests in years past have been Lily Tomlin and Michelle Norris of NPR
Annual Spring Gala and Golf Tournament
We also have bibs for the Boston Marathon

We are a statewide agency with five regions. The Northeast covers the North Shore and Merrimack Valley.
Every volunteer needs to attend a mandatory, 3-hour orientation. They can attend one in any region and still volunteer in the region of their choice.
Besides the Massachusetts CORI/SORI background check, two references are also required.
Volunteers between the ages 16 and 17 are required to volunteer with their parent or adult guardian.