The Playspace program is made possible by the 700 dedicated PALs across Massachusetts who bring kindness, play experiences, and moments of joy to children living in shelter every week! Horizons staff is committed to the success of the volunteers, the program, and the families we serve. Ensuring volunteers feel prepared and confident is important to us and your feedback is welcome. Email us at palsupport@horizonschildren.org if you have suggestions or feedback.
The following resources and tip sheets are designed to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to support the children served in Playspace. For more in depth information, attend one of our ongoing training sessions!
For activity ideas, please see:
For guidance on building healthy relationships, please see:
For language support, please see:
For strategies on managing behaviors, please see:
For outdoor Playspace protocols and practices, please see:
Volunteer Learning Sessions are a great opportunity to connect with fellow PALs and Horizons staff, talk through successes and challenges, and ask questions. Each meeting includes a short presentation followed by open discussion. Please register to attend on Zoom.
Navigating Boundaries with Confidence and Care | Tuesday, August 12 at 6:30pm
Creating Routines for Smoother Shifts | Wednesday, September 3 at 6:30pm
Fostering Communication Skills through Connection | Thursday, October 9 at 6:30pm
Responding to Challenging Behaviors | Monday, November 10 at 6:30pm
Supporting Early Literacy Skills| Tuesday, December 2 at 6:30pm
Nurturing Social-Emotional Growth | Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30pm
Navigating Boundaries with Confidence and Care | Thursday, February 5 at 6:30pm
Creating Routines for Smoother Shifts | Monday, March 2 at 6:30pm
Fostering Communication Skills through Connection | Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm
Responding to Challenging Behaviors | Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30pm
Supporting Early Literacy Skills | Tuesday, June 2 6:30pm
If you missed any previous sessions, we invite you to review the accompanying tip sheet below:
Stay up to date on all things Playspace! PAL Post Newsletters are distributed every other month. Catch up below in case you missed any!
Looking to share more info about volunteering with the Playspace Program? Share a flyer or social media post to help spread the word!
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Have a question? Looking for support? Please reach out:
Indigenous Peoples’ Day — October 13, 2025
