Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking volunteers to support their Playspace Program, which serves over 1,375 children each week in local homeless shelters.

Each Playspace is supported by trained volunteers, called Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs), who play with homeless children who reside in 20 shelters in Southeastern MA and Cape Cod. Horizons will be hosting a PAL training on Saturday, May 18 and Thursday, June 9. Individuals who are interested in signing up can do so online.

Each Playspace has two-hour volunteer shifts that occur throughout the week. For children living in a shelter, Playspace visits with PALs may be the only opportunity to listen to stories being read, create an artistic masterpiece, dress up as a superhero, play a musical instrument, and just have fun.

“Our Playspace Program helps make sure that children can experience the joys of childhood, no matter where they live. Critical developmental milestones happen at such a young age, and volunteers like those on Cape Cod help ensure children living in shelters are given the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive. They are an incredible corps of people that help make this program possible for us and our shelter partners.” - Kate Barrand, President & CEO of Horizons for Homeless Children.

Horizons for Homeless Children created the Playspace Program with the belief that play is essential to healthy childhood development, and every child has the right to play. To make healthy play possible for children living in shelters in Massachusetts, regional staff build and maintain developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed, “kid-friendly” spaces and stock them with books, toys, games, and art materials. Horizons’ Playspaces serve infants and young children who are living in homeless shelters. PALs lead play activities in the Playspaces to help each child heal from the trauma of homelessness and gain the cognitive, physical, and social/emotional skills essential to future social and academic success.

Click HERE to learn more about the Horizons’ Playspace Program, or contact Meghan Schafer, Playspace Program Director, Southeast Region, at mschafer@horizonschildren.org.

Across Southeastern Massachusetts, non-profit organizations rely on volunteers to build a stronger community and transform neighborhoods. Wareham Nurse Midwives is proud to support the volunteers who lend their time and talent to help make the SouthCoast a better place.

If you are looking to add more volunteers to your organization, fill out the form below. Let the SouthCoast know about your agency and how they can help you make an impact in our community. Volunteers of all shapes and sizes are welcome, you just need to have the heart.

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