In the small, cramped confines of a homeless shelter room, young children are struggling.

Alarming research reveals that due to the instability of their daily lives, children experiencing homelessness are four times more likely than other children to have a developmental delay.

At Horizons for Homeless Children, we see the effects every day.

Take two-year-old Jacob, for example. When he first joined our program, he faced significant challenges, particularly with his gross motor skills. He struggled with coordination and would often fall, leaving him feeling anxious and distressed in the classroom. With speech delays, he’d cry in frustration at a world he couldn’t navigate.

Jacob’s teachers worked with our Inclusion Specialist, Elizabeth, to support his unique learning needs. Horizons is leading the way for children living in shelter, providing an individualized, trauma-informed education for each child.

Elizabeth encouraged Jacob to visit our dramatic play corner where other children were donning superhero capes and masks.  He then transformed into a brave superhero and leaped into a world of imagination, cradling baby dolls, mimicking what he sees in shelter. Since then – with the continued help of his teacher and the Inclusion Specialist – his social-emotional and language skills have begun flourishing as he continues to engage with his peers.

Will you stand with us to change the story for children like Jacob? Your generous gift today helps build a stronger future for children facing homelessness and their families.  The critical need for our services is growing at a staggering rate; homelessness has increased 16% nationwide with over 7,500 families in Massachusetts seeking resources and support.