Join a team of over 600 volunteers across Massachusetts empowering children through play and making a difference in the lives of children experiencing homelessness!
The Playspace program gives volunteers the opportunity to give back to their community in a meaningful way that works with their schedule – just two hours, one evening a week makes a difference for a child living in shelter. Volunteers are supported by a dedicated team of staff committed to the success of the volunteers, the program, and the families we serve.
Horizons has designed and installed child-centered rooms, called Playspaces, in shelters throughout Massachusetts with the intention of creating a safe and nurturing environment where children experiencing homelessness can do the things that all kids need…express themselves, build relationships with adults and other children, and have fun!
Fill out the form below to get started !
Ensuring new volunteers feel prepared and confident before heading to their first Playspace shift is important to us, so we require all volunteers to complete virtual training. You will enroll in an upcoming training as a part of the application.
Upcoming Volunteer Training Dates:
Additional dates will be posted here as scheduled.
Playspaces are child-centered rooms that Horizons has installed in family homeless shelters across Massachusetts. These rooms are designed to create a dedicated place for children to learn, play, and thrive while building connections with caring adults. Horizons’ supports the needs of children living in shelter through play – a vital part of a child’s development. Our Playspace program is designed to build consistency in a time of uncertainty for kids living in shelter.
PALs are part of Horizons’ dedicated group of volunteers. PALs are expected to encourage play, make connections and create positive experiences with the children in the program. PALs are assigned to a weekly two-hour shift at a shelter nearest them (or of greatest need if they are willing to travel a little further!) We ask that PALs commit to at least six months. Most shifts take place Monday through Thursday evenings, although limited morning and Friday shifts may be available in certain locations. Click here to apply.
Learn more about interning with the Playspace team, here.
Ensuring volunteers feel prepared and confident is important to us. Please find a complied collection of resources and tip sheets designed to empower volunteers with the tools and knowledge needed to support the children served in Playspace, here.
Visit our FAQ page or contact us!
Playspace Program offices:
1785 Columbus Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
T: 617.553.5488
E:boston@horizonschildren.org
We have Playspaces in the following zip codes:
02112
01854
02139
02050
02556
02150
01905
02026
02072
02346
02128
01831
02126
02072
02149
02724
02115
02061
02191
01118
02458
01060
01608
01366
02740
02135
01970
02140
02139
02119
02601
01960
01002
01841
02125
01752
02452
02155
01742
01440
01473
02119
01109
02364
02130
02129
02124
02301
01702
02122
02125
02780
02703
01610
02141
02534
01606
