Emergency Shelter for Families Experiencing Homelessness

In March of 2023, we began working with Making Opportunities Count (MOC), the agency managing the emergency shelter housing families on Elm Street in Concord.
Many residents have reached out inquiring how they can help…

Click here to view a September 2023 segment on WBZ by Kate Merrill bringing attention to this matter and highlighting our community’s response.

DONATIONS

Click here to view a sign up sheet for specific items needed – new items have been added! – for families living at the emergency shelter. We would like to collect all items promptly so they can be delivered to families immediately.

If you prefer to donate funds, please direct donations to the Community Chest’s When In Need (WIN) Fund, which supports unexpected or emergency living expenses for Concord & Carlisle families.

The shelter is also requesting some outdoor toys and equipment for the children.

Click here for the Playspace Wish List. Please have these delivered to Horizons for Homeless Children – 1785 Columbus Ave. Roxbury, MA 02119

VOLUNTEER

Join the Playspace Program at Horizons for Homeless Children!

Two hours a week is all it takes to have an impact on children living in homeless shelters in the Concord community. Horizons Playspaces are dedicated rooms in homeless shelters, staffed by volunteers, full of toys to play with and books to read. Children look forward to time in the Playspace, time that they get to be a kid and play in a space that’s meant for them.

Horizons is needs of volunteers! Learn more: https://horizonschildren.org/volunteer-network/

There are several trainings coming up for folks who would like to volunteer at the Shelter in Concord. If interested, people complete the application form below:

Wed, April 17th 6pm
Thur, May 2nd, 6pm
Tues, May 14, 6pm

*Trainings held on zoom

*Participants must sign up in advance

MORE INFO…

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Horizons for Homeless Children at the new Concord location. Below you will find all the information you need to apply. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their first volunteer shift.

In the meantime, here is more information about our organization, along with a link to our online application.

Playspace Program: Horizons for Homeless Children created the Playspace Program with the belief that play is essential to healthy childhood development, and that 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 stocks them with books, toys, games and arts materials. These Playspace provide the opportunity for children to have a safe place to play, use their imaginations, heal from trauma, and just have fun.

Our volunteers, called Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs), have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the children’s lives by providing them opportunities for play that are critical for learning and growth.

Volunteering: Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for committed and dependable volunteers who:

Can commit to volunteering 2 hours a week, at the same time, same location. Current Shift Openings Are: Monday and Wednesday Mornings (9:30 – 11:30 AM) and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Evenings (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Can commit 6 months or more to volunteering as a PAL.
Are at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 you will need a guardian to both attend the orientation and volunteer with you.
Can attend a one-time, 1 ½ hour New Volunteer Training that covers everything from homelessness on a state and local level to early childhood development.

Helpful Information: Please read our PAL Role Description, which provides more detail about the specific role as a PAL volunteer.

Applying Online: You can complete a PAL application by clicking here. You will hear from a regional staff person within 48 hours of submitting your application. After the New Volunteer Orientation, we place volunteers in about 3 weeks.

We appreciate your support of the Community Chest and any of the organizations that help families during this critical time. Link to the organizations supported by the Community Chest can be found here.

Emergency Shelter for Families Experiencing Homelessness

In March of 2023, we began working with Making Opportunities Count (MOC), the agency managing the emergency shelter housing families on Elm Street in Concord.
Many residents have reached out inquiring how they can help…

We appreciate your support of the Community Chest and any of the organizations that help families during this critical time. Link to the organizations supported by the Community Chest can be found here.

Please check back to this page for future opportunities on how to support these families during this transitional time.

For the most up to date information as this partnership unfolds, please see the Town of Concord FAQ page.

Concord-Carlisle Community Chest

19 Main Street, Suite 2
Concord, MA 01742

Emergency Shelter for Families Experiencing Homelessness

In March of 2023, we began working with Making Opportunities Count (MOC), the agency managing the emergency shelter housing families on Elm Street in Concord. Many residents have reached out inquiring how they can help…

We appreciate your support of the Community Chest and any of the organizations that help families during this critical time. Link to the organizations supported by the Community Chest can be found here.

Please check back to this page for future opportunities on how to support these families during this transitional time.

For the most up to date information as this partnership unfolds, please see the Town of Concord FAQ page.

Concord-Carlisle Community Chest

19 Main Street, Suite 2 Concord, MA 01742

In March of 2023, we began working with Making Opportunities Count (MOC), the agency managing the emergency shelter housing families on Elm Street in Concord.
Many residents have reached out inquiring how they can help…

19 Main Street, Suite 2
Concord, MA 01742