Inspiration Comes to Life in the New Edgerley Family Horizons Center

Updated on March 30, 2023
by adrag

“I wish every kids’ facility everywhere was put together with the kind of care, concern, joy and intelligence that this one was. This is a really special place and it will continue to do the amazing work that Horizons has done for many years.” – Governor Charlie Baker

Pictured in the photo attached left to right are Paul Edgerley; Governor Charlie Baker; Jayd Rodrigues, Center Director, Horizons for Homeless Children; Mike Roberge, Horizons’ Campaign Co-chair; CEO, MFS Investment Management; Michael Eisenson, Horizons’ Founder and Campaign Co-chair; Founding Partner, Charlesbank Capital Partners; Sandy Edgerley, Horizons’ Senior Advisory Board Member; Kate Barrand, President & CEO, Horizons for Homeless Children; Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker; Melissa MacDonnell, President, Liberty Mutual Foundation & Vice President, Liberty Mutual Insurance.

The Edgerley Family Horizons Center has been open to children and families since April, but it was just this week that the broader community was invited in to see and celebrate the spaces firsthand. Guests were invited on tours to see all of the enrichment areas and classrooms, full of evocative artwork and messaging that reinforces Horizons’ mission in service to children and families. A brief program and ribbon cutting followed with special guests, including lead donors Sandy & Paul Edgerley, Governor Charlie Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker, Horizons’ Campaign Co-chairs Mike Roberge and Michael Eisenson, Melissa MacDonnell of Liberty Mutual, Kate Barrand Horizons’ CEO and Horizons’ Center Director, Jayd Rodrigues.

Watch a recap of the event here:

There was a clear vision for this building that set the course for how it would be designed and ultimately built.

“It’s very hard to envision anything better for yourself when all you see around you is decay. Programs for the most vulnerable are often put in leftover spaces which are dark and dreary. We wanted to do the opposite here,” Kate Barrand, Horizons’ CEO explains. “We wanted to create a space of inspiration, engagement, support and skill development that honors the humanity and dignity of our families and our workforce so both could pursue their boldest aspirations.”

Those aspirations are being fulfilled as the new space is already being used to educate two hundred and twenty-five children under the age of five each weekday. Families are using resource rooms to take steps toward accomplishing their professional and financial goals. And as evidenced by the strong turnout of Horizons’ staff, including early educators, the team is thrilled to have warm and welcoming spaces where they can engage and collaborate in ways they never could before.