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FOIA Number: 2012-0741-F FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Public Liaison Series/Staff Member: Alexis Herman Subseries: OA/ID Number: 2905 FolderID: Folder Title: The Horizons Initiative Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 29 4 8 1 The Horizons Initiative Didn'tgu helping hands for homeless children PHOTOCOPY One Kendall Square Building 200 Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617/577-8967 PRESERVATION The Horizons Initiative Suzanne Heilman Pamela G. Mann Co-Director Co-Director helping hands for homeless children One Kendall Square Building 200 Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617 / 577-8967 MEMORANDUM OF CALL Previous editions usable TO: 1 YOU LORI WERE CALLED BY- OF (Organization) Chris Edley's Vy YOU WERE VISITED yes BY- PLEASE PHONE FTS AUTOVON 395-3120 WILL CALL AGAIN IS WAITING TO SEE YOU RETURNED YOUR CALL WISHES AN APPOINTMENT MESSAGE Re: Drinks tonglet or FRI u/ AM H RECEIVED BY A FPMR (41 CFI) 4/6 101-11.6 DATE TIME 12:10 63-110 NSN 7540-00-634-4018 STANDARD FORM 63 (Rev. 8-81) Prescribed by ©SA # U.S.G.P.O.: 1993 342-198/80011 MEMORANDUM OF CALL Previous editions usable TO: 1 YOU Ruby Vanessa WERE CALLED BY- YOU WERE VISITED BY-- OF (Organization) PLEASE PHONE FTS AUTOVON WILL CALL AGAIN is WAITING TO SEE YOU RETURNED YOUR CALL WISHES AN APPOINTMENT MESSAGE Called to find out where AMH is RECEIVED BY DATE TIME 63-110 NSN 7540-00-634-4018 STANDARD FORM 63 (Rev. 8-81) Prescribed by GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 * U.S.G.P.O. : 1993 342-198/80011 MEMORANDUM OF CALL Previous editions usable TO: R YOU WERE CALLED BY- YOU WERE VISITED BY-- Judy George OF (Organization) PLEASE PHONE FTS AUTOVON 617.769.9130 WILL CALL AGAIN IS WAITING TO SEE YOU RETURNED YOUR CALL WISHES AN APPOINTMENT MESSAGE RECEIVED BY DATE TIME 63-110 NSN 7540-00-634-4018 STANDARD FORM 63 (Rev. 8-81) Prescribed by GSA * U.S.G.P.O. : 1993 342-198/80011 FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 Alexis Herman Remarks to Horizons Initiative DRAFT Boston, Massachusetts DRAFT April 9, 1994 Virtually every major city in the United States confronts a homeless problem today. Whether it be the streets of Boston or those of the nation's capital, the homeless problem continues to grow. Many of us have become callous to the problem, intent to brush by the many cold, hungry and needy men, women and children who we see on the streets. We have resigned ourselves to see the homeless as permanent fixtures in our urban landscape, and as a permanent demographic category in the United States. In the last twelve years, Americans have watched with dismay as the number of homeless people on the streets increased drastically despite many local, state, and national efforts to solve the problem, which only seems to be getting worse as thousands of men, women, and children -- more than ever before -- are taking to the streets to find food and shelter. In order to come to grips with the homeless problem, we must first understand it. Homelessness is not a condition -- it is the result of mental illness, drug abuse, disability, or simply hard times. The problems that drive people into the streets are complex and persistent. They cannot be solved by a hot shower or a square meal. 1 Tens of thousands of homeless -- no one knows the exact number for sure -- disappear from our country's outreach programs every day. If we really want to help these people, then we must identify and address the problems that made them homeless in the first place. Today, as the Clinton administration attempts to tackle the many problems facing our country, close attention is being paid to the plight of the homeless in America. The Clinton administration has taken several steps -- both direct and indirect -- to help solve this country's homeless problem. First, on a national level: more than 1.6 million new private sector jobs were created in 1993, and the number of jobs is increasing at the fastest rate in the last four years. President Clinton has also signed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1993, extending unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks for victims of the recession. The act provides $4 billion in emergency unemployment compensation to approximately 1.9 million unemployed American workers. The Clinton administration has also fully funded the special food supplemental program for Women, Infants, and Children, increasing average participation by 300,000 families. 2 Other legislation and programs, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Family Preservation and Support Initiative, and the Child Immunization plan, have all worked to keep American families together and make their lives happy and healthy. But we realize that there are many who slip through the cracks of the system. That's why the Clinton administration has begun to tackle the homeless problem head on as well. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the direction of Secretary Henry Cisneros, has especially been working to make a change. The approach HUD has developed with the strong support of President Clinton addresses a broad range of needs including psychiatric care, substance abuse counseling, training, housing and jobs. But HUD cannot do this alone -- it requires the assistance of local authorities and agencies -- such as the Horizon Initiative -- to truly make a difference. For the last six months HUD has been working closely with other federal agencies, community advocacy groups, and local governments -- including Congress and the other Cabinet Departments on the "DC Initiative," and has earmarked $20 million in federal funds for the program. The D.C. Initiative will do a number of things to combat the homeless problem in the District. 3 First, it will shift the focus on homeless assistance from simply getting people off the streets to solving the problems that put them there in the first place. The Initiative will also help them make the transition from the streets to shelter and finally to permanent housing. Second, it will require the homeless to take responsibility for themselves. The homeless must agree to accept the services offered to them and strive to become self-sufficient. Third, it will seek to end the use of public spaces by homeless persons as residences. Fourth, it will increase affordable housing for low income District residents and develop a fair and effective mans of allocating those housing units. The D.C. Initiative will not be just another Washington bureaucracy, however. Perhaps one of its most important features is the fact that it will be coordinated and implemented by a new, public-private entity that will bring together government agencies, community based non-profit organizations and the business community. But why talk about the federal government's efforts to solve the homeless problem in Washington, D.C.? How do any of these programs effect the homeless here in Boston or the other cities across America? 4 The answer is that the D.C. Initiative's success is critical to the entire country. If we can't combat homelessness on the streets of the nation's capital, then how can we ever hope to achieve success elsewhere. What's more, the DC Initiative will offer a new formula and a new guideline on how to deal with the problem. In the meanwhile, much needs to be done -- in Boston and in other places across the country. The work of the Horizons Initiative is vital to the effort, most importantly because this organization focuses on one of the facets of homelessness that is often overlooked or ignored: Homeless Children. Among the homeless population, homeless children are the most understudied group. There are thousands of young people in America who are homeless, and it is through no fault of their own. Some families are unable to provide children with a safe, nurturing environment due to problems related to crime, poverty, or illness. Other families are caught in an inter-generational cycle of illegal substance abuse, academic failure, or unemployment. As a result, homeless children find themselves not only bereft of a warm place to sleep and enough food to eat, but many of these helpless victims have their childhood stripped away. The work of Horizons Initiative has been important because it attempts to give these children back their childhood. 5 In Boston, and in most major cities in the United States, approximately seventy five percent of the homeless population is families, most of which consist of single mothers and their children. For most of these children, child care and educational opportunities are not available to them because they have not yet reached school age. What's more, they are so often moved from place to place, from shelter to shelter, from soup kitchen to soup kitchen, that their emotional and social growth are often hindered. Horizons Initiative's programs have been instrumental in getting to the heart of the problem and focusing on the future of our country -- our children. The Playspace Program, for example, which provides appropriate play materials, space and guidance for children, is vital to helping the homeless children of Boston live a normal childhood, even if they don't have a normal home. Once again, let me emphasize that organizations like the Horizons Initiative are vital to the homeless population across America. Only with the help of these organizations that manage to keep the hope and the spirit of homeless children alive will President Clinton and our administration be able to effectively combat the homeless problem and ultimately conquer it. The children of our country are the hope of our future. Last year, the Clinton Administration initiated a number of programs that will improve the life, welfare, and education of children in the United States. 6 Law enforcement today is probably more important to more Americans than it has ever been in the history of our country, and President Clinton has made a commitment to making our communities safer. In the last three decades, violent crimes have increased three hundred percent. Over the last three years, a third of Americans have either had themselves or someone in their family victimized by violent crime. If this is the environment in which our children live, how can there be any hope for their future and the future of our country? The President realizes the seriousness of the crime problem in America. His crime bill would put 100,000 more police on the streets of our country and mobilize resources to fight drugs and crime in our nation schools. The President has also worked to reform our country's educational system -- to make the United States the best educated country in the world. Without proper education, our children will not have the proper foundation on which to build their lives. Ultimately, we will not have a proper foundation on which to build our country. That's why the President signed the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993. Not only will the Act reduce the cost of loans and save $3 billion over the next five years. More importantly, it will make college more affordable for students across America. Other programs, like the President's Goals 2000 program, will help set tough, world class academic and occupational standards and will give our teachers and students the tools they need to meet them. 7 Last, but certainly not least, the President's efforts on health care reform are vital to all Americans -- most especially children. That's why the President has introduced the Health and Security Act of 1993, which is a comprehensive reform plan that guarantees comprehensive health coverage for all Americans. Every year fewer and fewer Americans get to choose their doctors. We're paying more money for less care. Right now, the insurance companies call the shots. They decide who's covered and who's not. Our administration is dedicated to promoting a health care system that everyone can rely on. Unless these programs are implemented -- crime, education, and health care reform -- then our country cannot move forward. More importantly, our children will not have the proper environment in which to live, learn, and prosper. They will lack the tools and basic needs necessary to make them into the leaders of tomorrow. 8 In his State of the Union Address, the President said," Let us take away their guns and give them books. Let us overcome despair and replace it with hope. Let us, by our example, teach them to obey the law, respect our neighbors, and cherish our values. Let us weave these sturdy threads into a new American community that can once more stand strong against the forces of despair and evil because everybody has a chance to walk into a better tomorrow." Let us give our children that chance to walk into a batter tomorrow. Together we can make a difference. With the help of Horizons Initiative and other groups like it around the country, we can give our future back to our children. -END- 9 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P001/010 HUMAN SERVICES USA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES & HEALTH A fax message from: OF Melissa T. Skolfield DEPARTMENT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Phone: (202) 690-6853 Fax: (202) 690-5673 To: Flo mcAfee Public Liargon Fax: 456-6218 Phone: Date: 4121 Total number of pages sent: Comments: Aris Zafeele asked me to send the attached- - for more, call Emily Bromberg at 401-6953- - 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Bldg. HHH, Room 647-D, Washington, D.C. 20201 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P002/010 Remarks Donna E. Shalala Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at The National Head Start Association Louisville, KY April 15. 1994 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P003/010 1 Thank you, Theo McIntyre [Metlaskatla Tribe Head Start director in Alaska]. I'm pleased to be with you in Louisville for the 21st National Head Start Association Annual Training Conference. Many of you have seen the hit movie Aladdin -- I'm sure your children have -- over and over and over. For many children and families, you are like the Genies that make wishes come true. Thanks to you, children in our Head Start programs get health screenings and life-saving immunizations. Thanks to you, they are provided a warm, nurturing environment -- where they can learn and grow and feel secure. And, thanks to you, their parents and families become more involved in their lives. You are what a caring society is all about -- offering opportunity where there is potential, and providing hope where there is hopelessness. The Clinton Administration shares your commitment to our children and our future. That's why, in a very tough budget year, we've made rock-solid commitments to children and families. President Clinton has proposed a 21 percent increase in Head Start funding for FY 1995. That's a 45 percent increase since he took office. We've proposed a 19 percent increase in child care for working families. And a 28 percent increase for infant immunizations. I know that you play a vital role in increasing immunization rates by making sure your children are vaccinated. Rut as we embark on a historic immunization campaign, I challenge you to reach out to families with younger children who may not be getting the shots they need. The President has led us in developing a continuum of targeted efforts aimed at helping children and families. And at the same time, we are embarking upon a larger agenda to provide opportunity and socurity to all Amoricane -- which translates into big gains for children. This means major initiatives like health care reform, welfare reform, and the crime bill. All of which greatly impact Head Start families, so it is critical that Head Start plays a role in each of them. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P004/010 2 Take violence prevention, which is a major part of the crime bill. Recently, I visited a Chicago program called Rainbow House that trains families and Head Start staff in violence prevention. One little boy at Rainbow House learned how to prevent family violence from occurring. When his mother was about to hit him, he reminded her, "You can't do that, my bedroom is a violence-free zone." His mother had attended the program with him, and she called upon her own new coping skills to find a better way to discipline her child. That's what I call a successful program -- and that's what prevention, and Head start, are all about. I applaud you for bringing conflict resolution into your programs -- and T urge you to keep doing more. And, because prevention is the centerpiece of the Health Security Act, you also have an important role to play there. For years, your programs have taken a pro-active approach to health -- providing children with health screenings, immunizations, and referrals to doctors and dentists. The President's health care plan will mean now clinics in underserved areas -- we will need you to make them a part of your referral network -- and we will need you to educate parents about how to use the new health services available to them and their children. Head Start is also a part of our efforts to transform our broken-down, counterproductive welfare system. It inspires me that you've recruited almost one-third of all your employees from among Head Start parents -- many of whom were on welfare. These are important entry-level job opportunities that we need you to continue to offer to parents. And, we will need you to share with us your experience in launching low-income parents into secure, rewarding jobs. Head Start ties in with every item on our domestic agenda. And your programs function the same way in communities -- tying together resources for families, bringing hope to children, and empowering parents to lift Chemselves out of poverty. I was very pleased to see that the Gainesville Head Start program was featured recently on a television show about empowering families. They've developed a great new program that pools health, social, and educational services into a family- centered "one-stop shop." Under one roof, d parent can earn a GED, explore job training programs, see a doctor or nurse, and learn to read, AS well as enroll their children in Head start. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO.94566218 P005/010 core 3 And that's what llead Start is all about: Comprehensive services. Empowerment. Support for the entire family. This is an historic time for all of us who have made Head Start the nation's pre-eminent early childhood development program. We're about to turn 30, and we've started doing some very grown-up things. Last January, it was really exciting to announce the reauthorization request -- joined by eight members of Congress -- four Democrats and four Republicans. They had all come to the table with the Clinton Administration to develop a remarkable Head Start bill. And, I'm pleased that this bill successfully glast passed through the Senate Labor and Human Resources committee on Wednesday -- a major step toward becoming law. Many of you made valuable contributions to the Reauthorization effort by testifying before the joint senate and House hearing and I'd like to thank you for your work. We can all be proud of what we've accomplished through the Reauthorization. It sets high quality standards for all programs. It underscores the need for appropriate staffing levels and training requirements. It supports local choices about the kinds of services that work best for families and communities. And, it proposes comprehensive services for some low-income families with children under three years old. As we design these services, we're building on the success of our migrant Head Start programs, our parent and child centers, and our comprehensive child development projects -- all of which already are serving families with children under three. The Rcauthorization was a landmark bipartisan moment in American social policy -- now we need to work together to make sure that it becomes law. All of you are leaders in your communities: together, we all must lock arms to lead Head Start into the 21st Century. And this means looking in the mirror. We must closely examine every program and insist on the highest quality in every single one. Nothing less will do. I know that you're as committed to quality as I am. You've all read the Advisory Committee's report, and you know how important it is that we pull together and launch an effort to implement its recommendations. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P006/010 4 The report recommends three key steps -- sort of like Aladdin's three wishes. And, as the appointed Genies, it's up to us to make this wish list come true for our children. First, we need to forge new partnerships. To serve our children well, we have to do a more thorough job of linking Head Start with the schools, WIC, AFDC, and other programs. Second, we need to make Head Start accessible for more children and families. This means offering more full-year, full- day programs to meet the needs of parents who work or are training for work. It also means looking at ways to serve more families who have younger children who would benefit from Head Start. And, it means extending Head Start to more of the children who are eligible for the program, but can't attend because funding is not high enough to serve them. Third, and most important, in everything we do, we have to insist on excellence and an ethic of continuous improvement. Make no mistake -- I know that many programs are up to par, but T also know that across the country, quality is uneven. I want you to take this as my personal mandate. We all need to take a look at: C How well we are managing our program and our money. C Whether the staff is trained well enough to keep up with changing times. o How effectively we are reaching mothers and fathers. 0 Whether classrooms, playgrounds, and facilities are in excellent condition -- and if they onhanoe the community. Every single person involved with Head Start has the power to make a program better. Let me tell you about a Head Start teacher who made a difference in Winona, Missouri. One day, she overheard a man on the street giving directions to the Head Start center. The man caid, "It's that dingy building with all the junk in the yard.' The teacher was so angry that she mobilized a major clean-up effort. She led a team that removed garbage, planted trees and bushes, and painted the building and playground equipment. Now the site is clean and tidy -- reflecting Head Start's pride from the inside to the outside. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P007/010 5 Wc can all do this. Like Aladdin, when he took flight on his magic carpet -- and saw the world from a whole new angle -- we can all take a fresh look at the services we provide children: the facilities, the teaching, the activities, the meals, and even the games the children play. We can all ask, "Are we doing enough? Is our program worthy of our children?" Together, we will preserve and strengthen the great tradition of Head Start that has enhanced the lives of 13 million children and their families since 1965. It won't be as easy as rubbing Aladdin's lamp, but together we will be the Genies that make our children's dreams come true. Best wishes for a successful conference. Thank you. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P008/010 FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1994 *REMARKS BY DONNA E. SHALALA SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF HEAD START WASHINGTON, D.C. *THIS TEXT IS THE BASIS OF SECRETARY SHALALA'S ORAL REMARKS. IT SHOULD BE USED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME MATERIAL MAY BE ADDED OR OMITTED DURING PRESENTATION. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P009/010 1 Thank you for coming. I want to recognize the leadership -- Democrat and Republican -- Senate and House -- on this critical issue. Thank you Senator Kennedy. Senator Dodd. Senator Kassebaum. Representative Ford. Representative Martinez. Representative Goodling. And Representative Molinari. This is a remarkable group of leaders. This bipartisan group of Congressional members showed a true commitment to America's littlest citizens. In advance of logislation being submitted, they sat down at a table with this Administration, worked out their differences, and came up with a remarkable Head Start bill that puts America's children first. This is the first time in recent memory that this has happened. And I thank you. I'm sure future generations of scientists, policy makers, and perhaps a future Senator or House member, will one day thank you, too. The President's budget, with a $700 million dollar increase for Head Start, bolsters a long bipartisan tradition of support behind our nation's most successful pre-school and family support program. This bipartisan group builds on the President's strong commitment. They have developed a new contract to serve America's most needy children. They rigorously reviewed the recommendations of the bipartisan Advisory Committee on Head Start Quality and Expansion, led by our own Mary Jo Bane, Assistant Secretary of the Administration of Children and Families. And these leaders agreed with the Advisory Committee that quality must be the guiding principle as we strategically plan for the future and for the expansion of Head Start. They agreed that there must be flexibility in local communities to meet the different needs of families Whether these families live in rural or urban areas Whether they need fulltime or all year-round services. 04-21-94 11:13AM FROM OASPA NEWS DIV TO 94566218 P010/010 2 And these leaders agreed that some programs must meet the needs of very young children, those who require extra help to have a fighting chance for a head start in life. Let me emphasize why I believe Head Start is on the cusp of a new era of greatness. An era of renewing the American dream for millions of American children. For the first time, this bill ensures that past performance of every Head Start program will be a factor in receiving future expansion funds. The bill contains tough new provisions that define the expanded quality standards for every Head Start program. Grantees will be held accountable for reaching these standards -- and they will lose their funding if they fail to correct their deficiencies. To help our grantees meet these standards -- this bill has new provisions to enhance the development and training of Head Start staff. This is critical. We must remember that Head Start relies on the skills of more than one hundred thousand front-line teachers, counselors, and managers. It's these employees -- these loving and caring adults -- who establish positive relationships with Head Start children and their families. These Congressional leaders also agreed on the strategic plans to smoothly and efficiently expand Head Start. This proposed legislation allows Head Start more flexibility to design the scope of services, including whether programs operate all day or all year. This flexibility is important in an era when most parents work, go to school, or participate in job training. By coming together now, by endorsing the Head Start reauthorization bill, and by stressing its emphasis on quality and its tough provisions on those who don't measure up, these Congressional leaders are coming through on a 29-year-old commitment to our nation's disadvantaged children. Thank you. called Flo her sti7/94 bach,6,6,12 The Horizons Initiative 4/9 to feash to FAX TRANSMITTAL SHEET DATE: 2/14/94 TIME: 12:00 NUMBER OF PAGES: 2 DELIVER TO: Ruby May COMPANY: The white House FAX NUMBER: 202-456-2983 FROM: Sue Heilman MESSAGE: we are very excited that Ms. Herman has accepted for Apri 9 at the Kennedy Library Attached is the questionnaire filled out. Please let me know about her travel arrangements and how we can help. Send 2/15/94 Thank you ! PIX PLEASE CHECK THE NUMBER OF PAGES SENT. IF FAX IS INCOMPLETE CALL 252-4362. One Kendall Square . Building 1500 Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Pacsimile 617 / 577-8967 helping hands for homeless children Purking - Payche Paper 012 P02 FEB. '94 13:08 SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 2-11-94 ; 3:39PM ; 4582983- :# 2 1. EVENT: The Horizons Initiative 5TH Annual Benefit Gala_ 2. DATE: April 9, 1994 3. TIME: 6:00-11:00 pm 4. LOCATION: John F. Kennedy Library, Dorchester, MA 5. PURPOSE: Event is main fundraiser for organization each year. 6. BACKGROUND: Organization runs programs for homeless children and their families. 7. PARTICIPANTS: 350-400 community leaders 8. PRESS PLAN Public service announcements to local media, i.e. 9. DRESS: Semi-formal radio, +.v., newspapers 10. WEATHER: Could be 40°, could be 60°; could be raining 11. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS: 6:00-7:00 tour of museum 8:00-9:30 dinner and 7:00 - 8:00 : cocktail reception speakers and awards 12. THEME OF PROGRAM: Helping Hands for Homeless Children 9:30-11:00,desset dancing and 13. COMMENTS: 14. CONTACT: (Indicate daytime and home numbers of lead contact and alternate) Sue Heilman W: 252-4362 h: 492-7543 Zall are 617 area code Joan Donahue: h: 235-9952 012 P01 FEB. 14'94 13:08 THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON Alexis Herman, Director (202) 456-2930 Fax (202) 456-6218 FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET 3 Number of Pages (Including Cover) To Sue Heilman Fax Number 6175778967 office Number Date 2/14/94 From Ruby moy COMMENTS Pix enronte Corporate Office D M A N 51 Morgan Drive Norwood, Massachusetts EA417-7693580 02062 30 617-769-913 December 28, 1993 Ms. Alexis Herman Assistant to the President, Director of Public Liaison The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20006 Dear Alexis, I hope your holiday was a special retreat and that you were able to get a day's break in the action. With the advent of the new year upon us, I thought we could start planning your visit to Boston. I know there are a lot of happenings in Washington right now, and your broad-based responsibilities make many requirements of your time. However, if you feel like leaving it all behind for a day, I would love to host you here. I have been looking forward to taking you on a tour of the city and introducing you to some key individuals whom you would be interested to meet, who are involved in promoting women in the workplace. It would also give me an opportunity to show you one of The Horizons Initiative Playspaces in action at one of the Boston area shelters. If you have some time available in January, I will keep my schedule flexible to arrange a date. I'll give you a call next week to see what your calendar looks like. I've enclosed a recent article so you can see some of the exciting things happening at Domain. I send you my warmest wishes for the New Year. Sincerely, Judy Judy George Chairman & CEO II IF YOU ARE LIKE MOST ENTREPRENEURS, CREATIVITY SPARKED YOUR COMPANY'S INITIAL SUCCESS. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP THAT ENERGY FLOWING? On the Creative Edge BY DONNA FENN Y ou've done it. Those months of tinkering in your garage have finally paid off. Your new and im- proved widget is taking the market by storm. The idea, sublimely conceived and flawlessly executed, has earned you the reputation of creative genius, master inno- vator, entrepreneur on the leading edge. Then the months begin to pass; the company grows. One morning you wake up to a life filled with paperwork, ac- countants, lawyers and insurance agents-even the federal government. This isn't quite what you had in mind when you put your name on the door a year ago. Now what? WEBB CHAPPELL FOR PROFIT The challenges are formidable: Growing a company while working to sustain a creative vision can be frustrating. "I used to think that asking for help was a sign of weakness," says Domain Inc. founder and president Judy George. Now she delegates more and says, "Sales have skyrocketed." Take, for example, Nancy Battista DiStefano, president of Po- value message that I never let come out," she recalls. She over- modoro Fresca (fiscal year [FY] 1993 sales: $500,000), a suc- came her initial resistance and gave Berman carte blanche to cessful gourmet pasta-sauce maker in Millburn, N.J. Five begin staging promotional events, such as private sales. "He years ago, DiStefano ignored those who said her sauce could took what creativity I had and turned it into a value-added re- never be mass produced because she used hand-chopped source," she says. "Since then, sales have skyrocketed." fresh tomatoes instead of cooked, processed ones. DiStefano the innovator proved them wrong and went on to build a suc- It's all in the medium cessful business. But now, as the company has grown, so have Experts who study entrepreneurial creativity believe that DiStefano's responsibilities, and she has less time for the kind when companies fail to remain innovative, it's rarely individ- of creative thinking that launched her company. uals who are to blame, but rather the climate of the organiza- tion. "It's like a Petri dish," says Goodman. "If you don't ust recently, she toyed with the idea of adding have a medium at the bottom, nothing is going to grow." The J pasta to her growing product line. Rather than right environment not only fosters creativity among employ- create her own pasta, she went to Brooklyn to talk ees, it can also free the founder to do what he or she does to a company that she'd heard about. "Their pasta best. The principle applies even to the smallest organizations. looked great," she recalls. "I was thinking about packaging, making EMPLOYEES ARE PAID TO all the plans-I was ready to close, the deal. And then I realized that I hadn't even tasted the product. Well, the pas- ACCOMPLISH THINGS, ta was terrible-to think we almost put our name on it. I really learned my lesson." DiSte- fano had stepped back and stopped herself NOT TO AVOID MISTAKES. from making a classic entrepreneurial blun- der: giving in to the temptation of a quick, easy solution just Reuben Ebrahimoff, is co-owner of New York City-based to keep the business moving. Brilliant I.D.E.A.S., a diamond-jewelry design and manufac- turing firm. His company has just 15 employees, but it is de- Share the vision liberately organized for maximum creativity. "The most important starting point for an entrepreneur "There's an environment here where I can walk around is a really in-depth analysis of where the company and the and be a radar dish for ideas," says Ebrahimoff. "My role individuals want to be in five years," says Jon Goodman, and function is to be creative." He can do this because his head of the Entrepreneur Program at the University of perfect complement-his brother Ari-runs the business. Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. She's referring "He's 'Mr. What Is,' and I'm 'Mr. What Could Be,' he ex- to a five-year business plan, and while that may sound like plains. Ari takes care of finances, oversees the manufactur- an unusual requirement for a company seeking to cultivate ing process and coordinates shipping, while Reuben keeps creativity, it's essential. "Creativity cannot exist in an envi- a keen eye on market trends, conceives ideas for new prod- ronment of rigidity," she says. "Conversely, anarchy rarely ucts and pursues customers. Like Reuben Ebrahimoff, leads to creativity. Creativity does have to be harnessed." Richard Brock has little patience for the operational de- That's just the point. "The challenge is to allow entrepre- mands of his computer-software company, Atlanta-based neurs to remain the keepers of the overall vision while creat- Brock Control Systems (FY '93 sales: $23 million). "When ing opportunities for others in the company to put their fin- you get involved in things that you don't do well, it's like gerprint on portions of the vision," says Bob Krinsky, a someone put a flash bulb in front of your eyes," he says. partner with IdeaScope Associates, a San Francisco, "You need freedom from the things that blind you." Brock's Calif.-based management consulting firm. But sharing the solution? He hired a company president so that he could vision requires a willingness to relinquish power, which is focus on what he does best: developing new markets, not easy for many entrepreneurs. "I used to think that asking meeting customers and conceiving broad company goals. for help was a sign of weakness," says Judy George, presi- But for a company as large as Brock Control Systems, just dent of Boston-based Domain Inc. (FY '93 sales: $30 million), getting someone to mind the store wasn't enough. Brock a 15-store upscale furniture chain. "Then I learned that it's re- wanted to build a company where employees were encour- ally a sign of strength, and that changed my whole life." aged to take calculated risks and where judgment was val- In Domain's early stages, George was the sole creative ued over compliance. Says Brock, "There are two types of force in her company, but as the organization began to mistakes: the things you do wrong and the bad decisions you grow, she realized "I could either stay small and get locked make, as opposed to the things you don't do and the deci- into controlling everything, or I could let go." George did sions you don't make." He prefers the first type. Employees, not mind sharing the operational responsibilities-it was he believes, are paid to accomplish things, not to avoid mis- an area she found cumbersome anyway. "When I saw that takes. That philosophy inspires employees to pitch new ideas I had to let go of the vision to other people, I spent many without fear of failure and has resulted in at least three new sleepless nights," she recalls. "But when I did let go, I projects in the past year and a half: a vendor referral pro- found that some of my employees had ideas that were gram, an electronic brochure and a company newsletter. even better than mine. I was humbled." A case in point: For years, George flatly refused to do any Empower employees promotional advertising because she felt it would cheapen the The prescription for managing creativity sounds a bit like company's image. But Bob Berman, her new general mer- a pitch for employee empowerment-a trendy concept that chandise manager, was convinced otherwise. Berman, one of many business owners dismiss as just another fad. But con- six new managers hired by George two years ago, "felt we sider this: John Eggers, manager of the Entrepreneurial Lead- were giving off an exclusive image and that we really had a ership Program at the Center for Creative Leadership, in 8 Greensboro, N.C., has just completed a study analyzing spe- The company also holds regular brainstorming sessions in cific skill sets required by entrepreneurs at various stages of which employees are encouraged to toss out any and all business growth. As organizations mature, says Eggers, bu- ideas-however crazy they may sound. But there are strict reaucracy tends to become its own end, limiting the entrepre- ground rules: "Everyone has to defer judgment," says Kelley, neur's ability to recognize new information and, in turn, sti- "and they have to build on the ideas of others." This process fling the creative output of the company. "The challenge for blurs ownership of ideas so that "several people can come the entrepreneur is to create a structure that allows growth away from a meeting thinking an idea was theirs." As for but also encourages challenging the bureaucracy so that the structure, a hierarchy can't get much flatter than IDEO's. Job organization stays flexible," says Eggers. "In really successful titles are eschewed in favor of job descriptions, and all au- companies, creativity and responsibility are delegated, and thority is temporary. Today's project leader may report to a the people become the organization, not just the entrepre- new group head when his or her previous task is completed. neur." Eggers says his research clearly documents that entre- The system has paid off-IDEO has been profitable from day preneurs who do this successfully have higher growth rates one, and employee turnover is nearly nonexistent. than those who cling to authority. So how do you organize your company to maximize cre- DEO's structure won't work for every company. ative output? "Companies in which there are rigid hierarchies "But even when people hold different positions in are not companies that will be known for creativity," asserts a hierarchy and are responsible for some chain of USC's Goodman. "By its very nature, creativity is serendipi- command, at an operational level they can still tous; it's a function of an environment." Frank Ryder takes this operate in teams," says Goodman. Consider Ruth principle to extremes. His Arab, Ala.-based company, Ryder Owades, for example. Five years ago, Owades International Corp. (FY '93 sales: $20 million), develops prod- founded Calyx & Corolla (FY '92 sales: $10 mil- ucts, ranging from angioplasty systems for balloon catheteriza- lion) in San Francisco and revolutionized the cut- tion to automobile headlamps, for Fortune 500 companies. But flower business by forging strategic alliances with growers unlike traditional research and development firms, the compa- and Federal Express, cutting out both wholesalers and dis- ny works on speculation and makes its profits by retaining tributors and ensuring that customers received fresher flow- ownership of patents and actually manufacturing the products ers. Every year, Owades reinvents her business. "At the it designs. So it's critical for the firm's engineering staff to beginning of every fiscal year, we start over and ask our- come up with working prototypes within days. selves what we can do better in the coming year," she says. Ryder has conceived the ultimate creative environment: The process begins with Owades and her management team, His company is situated in three reproduction ante-bellum but the responsibility trickles down to all 35 employees. mansions perched on 190 mountain-top acres surrounded "We're passing down the edict to look for new solutions," by forests, seven stocked fishing lakes, bike paths and pic- Owades says. "Our employees know that the groping-and- nic areas. It isn't all aesthetics, however. At the heart of Ry- learning strategy is okay because they've seen the manage- der's organization is a very loose company structure (the ment team do it." Owades notes that the company recently horizontal organizational chart that hangs on the cafeteria developed their technology to link directly with Federal Ex- wall places no one at the bottom of the totem pole). "We press from the moment an order is taken and that "some of look for people with a proven track record, then put them the fine points of the way we set up that linkage came from in an environment that allows them to flourish," says the order takers." Ryder. "We will reshape the organization quickly to suit the abilities of the individual." Stepping back Like Richard Brock, Owades constantly is reassessing her yder detests meetings and keeps them to an ab- own responsibilities, delegating authority so that she can di- solute minimum; gives everyone a private, work- rect her energy where it's needed most: toward the company's space with state-of-the-art equipment; and hands relationships with its growers and Federal Express. She thinks out bonuses based on total company profits, not her ability to do that has strengthened the company's grower on individual patents developed. "I don't want network and has led to more sophisticated computer linkage them to focus just on their own areas," says Ryder. with Federal Express. Likewise, Judy George says that since "They have to understand their connection to the she turned over the reins to her new management team, she's rest of the organization. They have to be cognizant had time to focus on new-business development, such as sell- of the vision." While Ryder himself holds hundreds of patents ing her furniture through a television shopping network and worldwide and is a formidable creative force, he has learned exploring the possibility of a joint venture with an overseas to step back. "I'm a cheerleader and a coach," he says. "It manufacturer. As for Richard Brock, his constant face-to-face means I have to stand in their shade sometimes, but there's contact with customers inspired him to make his software nothing wrong with that." Ryder's company generates at least "environmentally independent," meaning that it will run one patent a month. across a wide variety of platforms. He believes the change David Kelley, president of IDEO Product Development (FY gives him a strategic advantage in a marketplace where his '93 sales: $16 million) in Palo Alto, Calif., has also evolved an competition's products run on proprietary programs. effective strategy for keeping his product-design company And sauce maker Nancy DiStefano? She has a new on the leading edge. A veteran of large-organization corporate group of business partners who attend to operational mat- culture, Kelley was determined to build a company that valued ters while she rolls up her sleeves in the kitchen. She's still ideas rather than process. According to his brother Tom, looking for a pasta, by the way. Only this time, she's plan- IDEO's marketing manager, the company was founded on the ning to comb both international and domestic markets for a principle that creativity can be taught-under the right condi- product that's worthy of the Pomodoro name. "And if we tions. "You need to keep the organization from getting dys- don't get it right, then we won't do it," she says. "That's the functional," he says. "So we keep people in small groups of way we did it in the beginning, and that's what we're going about 40, where they feel they can still make a difference." back to." B From : DOMAIN PHONE No. : 617 769 9130 Jan. 07 1994 3:53PM P01 Facsimile Cover Sheet To: Ruby Moy Company: Office of Public Liaison Phone: 202 456 2930 Fax: 202 456 6218 From: Lisa Larkin Company: Domain Phone: 617 769 9130 Fax: 617 769 3580 Date: 01/07/94 Pages Including this cover page: 2 pensio bio inlat Comments: From : DOMAIN PHONE No. : 617 769 9130 Jan. 07 1994 3:54PM P02 Corporate Office D C M A I N 51 Morgan Drive Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 617-769-9130 January 7. 1994 Ms. Ruby Moy Office of Public Liaison The White House Via Fax: (202)456-6218 Dear Ruby, I would like to request to have a copy of Alexis Herman's bio faxed to my attention at Domain A colleague of mine from The Horizons Initiative would like to send Ms. Herman a proposal. My fax number is (617)769 3580. Thank you very much for your assistance. Sincerely Bisa Lisa D. Larkin Public Relations Aprila MI OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON Alexis Herman, Director (202) 456-2930 Fax (202) 456-6218 2983 FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET Number of Pages (Including Cover) 2 To Suzanne Heilman Fax Number 6175778967 Office Number 6172524362 Date 2/11/94 From Ruby Moy COMMENTS Ms Herman accepts. Please fill out questionnaire in great detail Thank promptly. you for returning Some Ruby * subject to President's request qher time NE THERE OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON Alexis Herman, Director (202) 456-2930 Fax (202) 456-6218 FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET 2 Number of Pages (Including Cover) TO Cheryl Mills Fax Number 61647 Office Number 67900 Date 2/11/94 From Ruby may ********** COMMENTS *********** Rer our Conversation this snowy day. JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 w to remara 4p95 2135417736 april 9, 1994 P.02 Boston TO: RUBY MOY FR: JANE HARMAN (508) 653-9902 RE: MS. HERMAN'S BOSTON ITINERARY - HORIZONS INITIATIVE 4/9-10 DT: 3/30/94 You should receive Ms. Herman's airline tickets today via Federal Express. I hope the revised itinerary meets with your approval. Ms. Herman is scheduled to speak after the main dinner course is cleared, while coffee is being served. I know that you and I have to talk about her speech. I understand you received a confirmation letter asking Ms. Herman to speak about the plight of homeless families in this country. Let's talk about what you need us to do in this regard. I left messages with Deloras Handy (Brown?) at WGBH-TV. I will follow up with her. It appears that the tour of the family shelter will be perhaps one of our only times for press. I will keep you and Flo McAfee posted in this regard. Again, thank you for your help. JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.03 PROPOSED ITINERARY: THE HON. ALEXIS M. HERMAN - SATURDAY, APRIL 9 - SUNDAY APRIL 10, 1994 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS GUEST SPEAKER THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE BENEFIT GALA DINNER Saturday, April 9: 11:00 am: USAIR Flight #674 departs National Airport (see itinerary) 12:25 am: Flight arrives Logan Airport Ms. Herman will be met in the terminal by Judy George, Nkere Udofia and Sue Heilman. They will accompany Ms. Herman throughout the day and will provide all transportation requirements. 1:00 am: Ms. Herman tours Horizons Initiative Playspace at local family shelter (tba - press photo op) 2:00 pm: Arrival/check-in/lunch at: The Copley Plaza Hotel 138 St. James Avenue Boston MA 02116 (617) 267-5300 (617) 267-7668 - fax 3:00-3:30 pm Press interviews in hotel (tba) 4:00-5:30 pm: Pre-event reception: The Library Bar (in hotel) approx. 15 guests (will supply guest list) 7:15 pm: Depart hotel for J.F.K. Library Horizons Initiative Dinner and Benefit 7:30 pm: Arrive J.F.K. Library JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.04 2-2-2-2 7:30-7:45 pm: Cocktail reception at library 8:00-8:30 pm: Dinner served 8:00 pm: Welcome /opening remarks by Mark Edwards, Master of Ceremonies 8:30-8:40 pm: Overview of organization, plan for evening - Mark Edwards 8:40-8:50 pm: Video presentation 8:50 pm: Mark Edwards introduces Ms. Herman 8:50-9:05 pm: Ms. Herman speech 9:05-9:25 pm: Awards presentations 9:25-9:30 pm: Horizons Initiative staff, volunteer recognition 9:30 pm: Dancing begins 11:00 pm: End Return to hotel is at Ms. Herman's convenience Sunday, April 10: 9:00 am: Hotel departure to Logan Airport 10:00 am USAIR flight # 457 departs Logan Airport 11:36 am: Flight arrival at National Airport # # # Judy George: (o) (617) 769-9130 (h) (617) 696-3580 Sue Heilman: (o) (617) 252-4362 (h) (617) 492-7543 Nkere Udofia: (o) (617) 720-4829 Mark Edwards: (o) (617) 860-7707 (h) (617) 863-1907 Jane Harman: (media) (508) 653-9902 JANE HARMAN (508 653-9902 2135417736 P.01 JANE ROCKWELL HARMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS TELEFAX COVER LETTER TO THE ATTENTION OF: RuBy moy COMPANY/DEPARTMENT : OFFICE OF Puslic LiAlson NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER): 4 RECEIVING TELEFAX NUMBER: 202-456-2983 SENDING DATE: 3/2/30 FROM: Jane Harman *MESSAGE* Thank jm Ruby ! 117 PLEASANT STREET I SOUTH NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760 TEL: (508) 653-9902 FAX: (508) 651-8854 April 9, 1994 il Plo for remarks The Horizons Initiative 6-11p BOSTON February 4, 1994 Alexis Herman Assistant to the President FEB I 6 The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20062 Dear Ms. Herman: After speaking with your assistant Ruby, I am writing to confirm your engagement on April 9, 1994 at The Horizons Initiative's Fifth Annual Benefit Gala, which will be held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, MA from 6:00pm until 11:00pm. Enclosed you will find a copy of the invitation which is being mailed this week to about 4,000 households in the Boston area. We are very excited and honored that you will be the featured guest at our event. We expect 350-400 people to attend the evening affair, including local business leaders and politicians. Judy George and Nkere Udofia of Domain Furniture have spoken so highly of you to us, and other members of our Board of Directors are familiar with your work in the fields of business, human resources, and diversity management. As a representative of the Clinton Administration, we are looking forward to your comments on the plight of homeless families in this nation. In Boston, there are close to 500 homeless families, with more than 1000 children. Our programs are designed to serve the developmental needs of these otherwise neglected children, as well as to provide educational and occupational opportunities for their parents, usually single mothers. We envision our programs as models for other cities and regions. Please let me know what arrangements should be made for your arrival at the JFK Library on April 9. We will be glad to help out in any way that we can. I will contact your office again as we approach the date of April 9. Thank you again for your support of our mission. Sincerely, Suzanne Suganne Heilman Herlman Co-Director enc. One Kendall Square Building 200 Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617 / 577 -8967 helping hands for homeless children Printed on Recycled Paper april 9, 1994 cc 2/11/94 10 The Horizons Initiative MASS, January 5, 1994 Alexis Herman Assistant to the President, Director of Public Liaison The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Speak 6 1994 Washington, DC 20062 MP yes per Dear Ms. Herman: Amer I am writing on behalf of The Horizons Initiative, the only organization in Massachusetts focused exclusively on the needs of homeless children, which I believe 124/94 has been introduced to you through a wonderful supporter of ours, Judy George. She and one of our Board of Directors, Nkere Udofia, met with you a month or so ago and discussed our programs and services for homeless children and their families. We are a non-profit, charitable organization, and have an annual fundraising event planned for this coming April 9, 1994. We would like to invite you to this event, and would be honored if you would speak to our audience about the importance of childcare services and programs for homeless children, from your own personal perspective as well as a representative of the Clinton Administration's interest in this area. We are confident that your presence at our benefit event will add to the evening's appeal to our constituency, therefore adding to its success. The proceeds of the event will help us accomplish our goal of opening the first full-time childcare center for homeless children in Boston, the Community Children's Center. Our program is the first of its kind in this area, and possibly in the country. As the enclosed materials describe in further detail, our programs are not only about the important job of early intervention in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in America, but also, and equally important, about their parents, usually single women, breaking out of the cycle of homelessness and poverty in which they are otherwise trapped. We have heard great things about you from Judy George, (who, by the way, sponsored a fantastic event for us this past fall), and hope that you will be available to help our efforts. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Jugaave Helman Suzanne Heilman Co-Director enc. One Kendall Square . Building 200 . Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617 / 577 -8967 helping hands for homeless children Printed on Recycled Paper EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 18-Feb-1994 08:58am TO: Ruby G. Moy FROM: Cheryl D. Mills Office of the Counsel SUBJECT: Horizons Iniative It would appear to me that Alexis properly could speak to Horizons Iniative. If they pay for her travel, she must complete a non-federal source form, in addition to a TA, at least 5 days before traveling. As always at events that are also organizational fundraisers, Alexis may not request donations nor may she solict other support for the organization. 5 C.F.R. 2635.808 (a) (3). Stevenerts 124 USAIR 4/a USAIR 8,9, IV 4/10 Ano 10/1136 USA To Boston 135 A NW 12.00 136 USA 12N 136 1_ prittey call Bostontrip Dolores Handy 617 4922777 X2465 WBH TV-2 WGBH-TU - JANE HARMAN (508 653-9902 2135417736 P.01 JANE ROCKWELL HARMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS TELEFAX COVER LETTER TO THE ATTENTION OF: RuBy moy COMPANY/DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF Puslic LiAlron NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER): 4 RECEIVING TELEFAX NUMBER: 202-456-2983 SENDING DATE: 3/28 FROM: Jane Harman *MESSAGE* Thank jm Ruby ! I need to square This avay before you leave. 117 PLEASANT STREET / SOUTH NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760 TEL: (508) 653-9902 FAX: (508) 651-8854 JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.02 TO: RUBY MOY FR: JANE HARMAN (508) 653-9902 RE: MS. HERMAN'S BOSTON ITINERARY - HORIZONS INTIATIVE APRIL 9-10 DT: 3/28/94 Please see proposed enclosed itinerary. Of course we are flexible and want to make sure this proposal meets with your approval. I do not know the customary procedure for arranging flights. Is OPL/pays this something we do, or will you arrange the flights? Is it usual that your office provides a budget for airfare or are we expected to cover this cost? Please let me know as soon as possible. I also need to know more about Ms. Herman's BOSTON GLOBE interview, especially time, topics, reporter and projected length of interview. Thank you for your help with this. Needless to say, we are looking forward to Ms. Herman's visit. JANE HARMAN (508 )653-9902 2135417736 P.03 DRAFT #1 ITINERARY: THE HON. ALEXIS M. HERMAN - SATURDAY, APRIL 9 - SUNDAY APRIL 10, 1994 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS KEYNOTE SPEAKER THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE BENEFIT DINNER USAIR Flys every hour Saturday, April 9, 9 am: Flight departs National Airport 10:30 am: Flight arrives Logan Airport Ms. Herman will be met in the terminal by Judy George, Nkere Udofia and Sue Heilman. They will accompany Ms. Herman throughout the day and will provide all transportation requirements. 11:00 am: Ms. Herman tours Horizons Initiative Playspace at local family shelter (tba - possible press photo op?) 12:00 pm: MS. Herman tours Horizons Initiative Community Children's Center site (St. Margaret's Hospital, Dorchester) 1:00 pm: Lunch (location tba) 2:00 pm: Arrival/check-in at: The Copley Plaza Hotel 138 St. James Avenue Boston MA 02116 (617) 267-5300 (617) 267-7668 - fax 2:30-3:30 pm Press interviews in hotel (tba) 4:00-5:30 pm: Pre-event reception: The Library Bar (in hotel) approx. 15 guests (will supply guest list) 530-7 Rest 5 pm: depart hotel for 6-7 pm J.F.K. Library tour (if desired) JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.04 2-2-2-2 6:45 pm: depart hotel for J.F.K. Library Horizons Initiative Dinner and Benefit Spinpromptly 7:00-11:00 pm: Dinher, speech, etc. (will supply event format) Return to hotel is at Ms. Herman's convenience Sunday, April 10: 7:00-9:00 am: Breakfast 9700-10:00 am - 11 Press interview in hotel (tba) > 11:00 am: Depart for airport (transportation provided) 12:00 pm: Flight departs Logan Airport 1:30 pm: Flight arrives National Airport # # # Judy George: (617) tba Sue Heilman: (617) tba Jane Harman: (media) (508) 653-9902 The Horizons Initiative is dedicated to providing programs and services for homeless children. The Horizons Initiative, an independent non- profit organization, was founded in 1988. The organization began as an idea of the creators of Bright Horizons Children's Centers, a work-site childcare corporation. Since then, several pro- grams have been developed and implemented to enrich the lives of homeless children in the Greater Boston area. The Horizons Initiative is the only organization in Massachusetts that focuses exclusively on the needs of homeless children. Because we work with fami- lies, state agencies, shelters, advocates, educational experts, and private sector child care providers, we can bring many different types of expertise and understanding to bear on the problems faced by homeless children. The Horizons Initiative is entirely supported by charitable gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Special thanks to those who donated their ser- vices for this brochure: Board of Directors Steve Mooney Josh Bekenstein Freya Bernstein Walter Silver Photographers Roger Brown Phyllis Cater helping hands Merrill Corporation Joan Donahue Mark Edwards Printer Michael Eisenson Cha Rosenbaum Matthew Epstein for homeless children Scott Wilson William Fonvielle Jane Harman Designers Gale Hunt Anne Hurwitch The families at Just-A-Start, Linda Mason Anne Rollins Family House Shelter Don Steiner Nkere Udofia and Kyle Upton Susan Whitehead Cambridge Salvation Army The Horizons Initiative One Kendall Square, Building 1500 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Childcare Program Executive Directors Telephone (617) 252-4362 helping hands for homeless children 6/93 Printed on Recycled Paper Sue Heilman Pamela Mann Programs of The Horizons Initiative Homeless in Boston Playspace Program Boston, like many cities nationwide, has experi- enced an alarming increase in the number of This program provides age-appropriate materials homeless families in the last decade. In Boston, 75 and equipment for playrooms in family shelters so percent of the homeless population is families, that the children there receive the important stim- most of which consist of a single mother with two ulation and education that occurs during play. We or three children. More than 51 percent of these develop the Playspaces collaboratively with the shelter residents and staff who create their own children are under the age of 6, and therefore are not yet eligible for public school education. There rules and procedures for using the Playspaces. To are rarely any other childcare opportunities avail- date, Playspaces have been equipped in six family able to them, and therefore they are not receiving shelters in greater Boston through the efforts of the learning opportunities necessary for later The Horizons Initiative, and three more are school and community success. In addition, the planned during the coming year. transitory nature of shelter living, compounded by the lack of space and support can often compro- Playspace Volunteer Network mise their emotional and social growth. The Playspace Volunteer Network provides trained In order for the parent in this situation to move and highly motivated individuals to play with toward social and economic self-sufficiency, she homeless children in the family shelters on a regular must have the time available for counseling, job basis, thereby providing the children with impor- training, education, and whatever other programs tant developmental and educational experiences. are necessary to enable her to break out of the cycle of poverty and hopelessness in which she is Each year The Horizons Initiative recruits, trains otherwise trapped. In many cases, childcare can and places over 100 volunteers as Playspace make this possible for her. Activity Leaders, who make a commitment of a few hours a week for at least six months. We hold several training sessions each year for prospective volunteers, as well as ongoing training and sup- port sessions for active volunteers. Community Children's Center Due to open in 1994, the Community Children's Center will be the first childcare center in Boston 8% specifically for homeless children and their fami- 13% lies. This center will be professionally-staffed to serve up to 45 children each weekday, full-time, from the age of 6 months to 6 years. It will be 28% located in Dorchester where the highest concen- tration of family shelters is found. In addition to providing high-quality childcare for the children, the Community Children's Center Ages of Homeless Children 0-5 yrs will support the parents of homeless children in Massachusetts 1990 " Play is the way a child learns through educational programs and counseling 6-12 yrs Statistical information about his world." leading to social and economic self-sufficiency as compiled by the 13-15 yrs Massachusetts well as enhanced child-rearing abilities. Department of Education 16-18 yrs Dr. T. Berry Brazelton The Horizons Initiative Capital Fund Drive for the Community Children's Center A Comprehensive Program for Homeless Children and their Families TABLE OF CONTENTS THE NEED 2. THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE 3. THE COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTER 4. The Community Children's Center Advisory Board 5. The Location 5. A Model Program 5. ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS 7. CAMPAIGN NEEDS 8. ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET 9. TABLE OF GIFTS 10. NAMING OPPORTUNITIES 11. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 12. 1 THE NEED Play is important to The Horizons Initiative, an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1988, every child, because play is one avenue in which is seeking funds to establish the Community Children's Center, an innovative, children learn about comprehensive childcare center for families who are homeless in the Boston area. their world and about themselves. Homeless Boston, like many cities nationwide, has experienced an alarming increase in children often miss out on that very important homeless families in the last decade. In Massachusetts, the majority of the homeless part of growth and population consists of families, usually a single mother with two or three children, development. the majority of whom are under the age of 6. Currently, there are approximately Dr. Jean Cibarowski, 1,200 homeless children in the Boston area, 700 of whom are living in emergency Children's Hospital, family shelters. Half of these children are too young to attend public schools and have Boston, MA no other childcare opportunities available to them. They are not receiving the learning opportunities necessary for later school and community success. The transitory nature of shelter living, compounded by the lack of space and support that help develop a whole healthy child, compromises the emotional and social develop- ment of homeless children. The research on the effects of homelessness on children consistently suggests that these children desperately need the stimulation, nurturing and stability that can be offered through high-quality childcare. For example, the 1982 High/Scope Foundation's Perry Pre-School Study concluded that the cost of providing high- quality childcare to disadvantaged children before they reach school age is one- quarter the cost to society of the remedial and punitive programs that they will require later in life if they have not received these early services; a dollar invested now will save four dollars later spent on rehabilitation programs. In addition, a needs assessment conducted by the Horizons Initiative staff in 1992 concluded that less than 10% of children under the age of 6 in family shelters in Boston had access to childcare of any kind, and more than 75% of the parents expressed a desire to have it. Just as important, the parents of these children need the time necessary for accessing permanent housing, job training, education, parenting skills training and counsel- ling, which together can enable them to thrive and move toward social and economic self-sufficiency. Childcare can be the critical piece that allows parents to move forward, breaking the cycle of poverty and hopelessness that may have trapped them for generations. In addition, these parents need a structure which provides support- ive social services without requiring physical travel to the many different agencies presently involved in providing referrals and services. 2 THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE The Horizons Initiative began providing programs and services for homeless families It would be hard to in 1990 through its two on-going programs, the Playspace Program and the imagine that society could find a higher yield Playspace Volunteer Network. for a dollar of investment than that found in Recognizing the need for play areas in family shelters, many of which had no room preschool programs for its at-risk children. dedicated for the many children who were residing there, The Horizons Initiative has created Playspaces in six area family shelters; several more are planned in the coming Committee for year. This program involves the parents in the process of creating a fully-furnished, Economic Development, Investing in Our developmentally appropriate playroom for their children - allowing them to gain a Children, 1985 sense of empowerment and accomplishment as they create a special place for their own and others' children. Realizing that Playspaces are only as valuable as the interactions that take place in them, The Horizons Initiative created the Playspace Volunteer Network. The Horizons Initiative has trained, placed and supervised more than 250 individuals who make a six-month commitment to work and play with children in area family shelters. Currently there are approximately 75 Horizons Initiative Playspace Volun- teers interacting with children in thirteen family shelters every week. Through these ongoing programs, The Horizons Initiative has provided significant benefits for the children and invaluable services for their parents; parents need time apart from their children each week during which they can prepare for housing appointments, get ready for interviews, study for GED courses, and in general regain their motivation and energy for the challenges they face. In addition, our trained staff and volunteers, directly and indirectly, pass on helpful parenting skills through role- modelling while they are with the children, as well as during the development of the Playspaces, in which the parents are very involved. The programs and services which have been developed and implemented by The Horizons Initiative are invaluable to homeless families and ultimately help them achieve and maintain stable, long-term housing, increase their skill and income levels, and gain more control over their lives. The success of these programs has shown that access to full-time childcare can be the single most important factor in enabling these children and their parents to achieve long-term stability. The Community Children's Center will serve this important and vital need for families facing the crisis of homelessness. 3 THE COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTER Developing preventative The objectives of the Community Children's Center are to: programs that address homeless preschoolers' potential difficulties Provide safe, affordable, high-quality childcare for homeless families. early makes sense from Provide opportunities for the parents of the children in attendance for both a financial and education, job training, parenting skills training, all leading to economic ethical viewpoint. Children who have self-sufficiency. received appropriate early care are more The Community Children's Center will be designed initially to serve 45 children each likely to escape the frustration, pain and day, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am until 6:00pm. Children will be recruited possible damage and enrolled from at least seven existing emergency family shelters in the Boston area. associated with medical, The childcare center will be organized around three age groups, one area for 7 emotional or educational difficulties later on in infants, two areas for 18 toddlers, and one area for 20 pre-schoolers. life. Each classroom will be professionally staffed with an adult-to-child ratio meeting or Dr. Ellen Bassuk, President, Better Homes exceeding the Mass. Office for Children guidelines, which ranges between 1:4 and Foundation, 1993 1:10, depending on the ages of the children. In addition, parents will be required, as possible, to make a commitment to spend some time in the classroom on a regular basis. Trained volunteers and student interns will consistently augment the staffing. Two Family Advocates will also be on-staff, on-site on a daily basis to provide counselling, referrals and support to the parents while their children are in the childcare center. Special programs designed to meet their needs will occur in the Parent Resource Room, such as GED classes, job readiness workshops, parenting skills workshops, and others. Training to work as apprentices in the Community Children's Center classrooms will also be an important opportunity for many of these parents. The family's average length of involvement with the Community Children's Center is expected to be 15 months, consisting of an average stay of 9 months in a family shelter followed by up to six months of continued care in the Community Children's Center after the family moves to permanent housing. 4 The Community Children's Center Advisory Board For nine months the infant grows in the womb. At the end an The Horizons Initiative has developed the concept of the Community Children's x-ray shows the small Center through a long-standing collaborative process involving emergency shelter but developed body quite bent over on itself and staff, currently and formerly homeless parents, childcare providers, members of The cramped; yet so very Horizons Initiative's Board of Directors and staff, and other individuals with much has happened - professional expertise in the needs of homeless families. This collaborative group has indeed, a whole new life has come into being. For become the Community Children's Center Advisory Board, and has met regularly for some hundreds of more than eighteen months to develop this project. The Advisory Board will continue thousands of American to meet prior to and after the Community Children's Center is operational. children that stretch of time, those months, represent the longest rest ever to be had, the The Location longest stay in any one place. The Community Children's Center will be centrally located in the Uphams Corner Robert Coles, neighborhood of Dorchester, the area of Boston with the highest concentration of Uprooted Children emergency family shelters. The site, chosen after a six month search of the area, is currently a wing of a building on the campus of St. Margaret's Hospital. This site will be vacated during the summer of 1993, and will be leased to social service agencies focusing on the needs of women and children at risk. A Model Program The Community Children's Center will be the only one of its kind in Boston, and one of very few in the nation. As such, we hope that it will serve as a model for others in the future. Although Head Start programs and other agencies provide some slots for homeless children, there are no other programs available to homeless families which serve the range of ages (infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers) which we will serve, for the range of days and hours (every weekday 8am-6pm). At the same time, we will uniquely provide services to the parents on-site through our Family Advocates and collaborations with other social service agencies. The Horizons Initiative's Board of Directors includes the founders of Bright Horizons Children's Centers, which operates more than 50 high-quality work-site childcare centers across the United States. They are experts in the field of early childhood 5 Although the Commu- development. This close affiliation will help to ensure that the Community Children's nity Children's Center Center is of the highest quality. will be focused on the children, it will also be about helping their We plan to constantly evaluate this model, and document its effectiveness over time, mothers break out of the in order to maintain the highest quality of service, as well as to share our experiences, cycle of poverty so that they can feel empowered both positive and negative, with other providers locally and nationally. and productive. They will be able to make an enormous leap in their lives - from feeling hopeless to feeling hopeful. Dr. Jean Cibarowski, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA Homelessness is not hopelessness. 6 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS 7 CAMPAIGN NEEDS Initial Expenditures for Renovation and Equipment $250,000 First Year Operating Costs- 100% 360,000 Second-Seventh Year Operating Costs - 50% 1,090,000 $1,700,000 The other 50% of operating costs in years 2 through 7 are projected to come from federal and state sources and annual fund drives. 8 COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTER ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET SALARIES $250,000 Center Director (1) Teachers (8) Assistant Teachers (3) Family Advocates (2) TAXES/FRINGE $50,000 RENT/UTILITIES $34,000 TRANSPORTATION $10,000 INSURANCE $2,000 TRAVEL $1,000 OFFICE SUPPLIES $1,000 PAPER GOODS $3,000 EQUIPMENT $1,000 FOOD $4,000 PHONE $2,000 TRAINING/RECRUITING $1,000 EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES $1,000 TOTAL $360,000 9 TABLE OF GIFTS NEEDED GOAL $1.7 MILLION # OF GIFTS NEEDED $ RANGE $ TOTAL 2 $150,000 $300,000 2 $100,000 $200,000 6 $50,000 $300,000 14 $25,000 $350,000 30 $10,000 $300,000 50 $5,000 $250,000 TOTAL: 104 GIFTS $1,700,000 10 NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Community Children's Center Facility (1) $150,000 To underwrite the major renovations for this program Playground (1) 75,000 To create an age-appropriate and durable outdoor learning and playing environment. Classrooms (5), Parent Resource Room (1), and Common area 25,000 To ensure that each room in the Center is developmentally-appropriate and well furnished Teachers fellowships (10) 10,000 To ensure that each teaching position is permanently funded Family Advocate Fellowships (2) 10,000 To ensure that high-quality case management services are provided to each family involved in the CCC "Sponsor-a-child" fellowships (45) 5,000 To ensure that 45 homeless children each day can receive the stimulation and nurturing that they need. 11 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Josh Bekenstein, General Partner, Bain Capital In 1984, Mr. Bekenstein helped start Bain Capital, a Boston-based private equity investment firm. He serves on the Board of Directors of several public and private companies. Prior to Bain Capital, Mr. Bekenstein was a consultant at Bain & Company, where he worked on strategic consulting projects for Fortune 500 clients. He received a masters degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelors degree from Yale University. Freya Bernstein, Senior Counsel, RECOLL Management Corporation Before joining the legal department of RECOLL Management Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fleet Financial Group, Ms. Bernstein practiced law for eight years with the firm of Rubin and Rudman. She previously held positions at various levels of government including Director of Licensing for Mental Health Services for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, and Director of Program Planning and Budgeting for the Cambridge Community Action Agency. Ms. Bernstein has a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law, a masters degree in public administration from New York University, and a bachelors degree in American Studies from Brandeis University. Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Bright Horizons Children's Centers Mr. Brown co-founded Bright Horizons in 1986 and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since that time. Prior to the founding of Bright Horizons, he was Co-director of the Save the Children relief and development effort in Sudan and has worked on the border of Thailand with Cambodian refugees for CARE and UNICEF. Mr. Brown is the author of Rice, Rivalry and Politics: Managing Cambo- dian Relief, a book that examines the management of emergency relief efforts. Mr. Brown serves on the board of the Child Care Action Campaign. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Management and Davidson College. Phyllis B. Cater, Vice President of Human Services, Morgan Memorial Good- will Industries, Inc. Ms. Cater oversees Goodwill's Human Services programs in Boston and surround- ing areas. A human services provider in the Boston community for the past 20 years, she is the former Executive Director of the Mattapan Community Health Center and Director of Member Services for the Neighborhood Health Plan. Ms. Cater currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for both the Dorchester/ Mattapan 12 Community Mental Health Center and the Cambridge YWCA. She received a bachelors degree in sociology/psychology from UMass Boston and a masters degree in social planning from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. Joan H. Donahue, Financial Planner, IDS Financial Services Ms. Donahue consults with individuals and businesses as a financial planner for IDS, an American Express company. Prior to IDS, she was Vice President of Marketing at D.C. Heath Publishing, a Raytheon company. There Ms. Donahue helped develop and implement educational programs in the U.S. and overseas. She has also taught elementary school and worked in mathematics and science curricu- lum development. Ms. Donahue received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Kansas and a master's degree from the University of Missouri. Mark Edwards, President, Image Presentations, Inc. Mr. Edwards founded Image Presentations, Inc., one of the country's leading marketing communications companies specializing in recruiting and fundraising communications for educational institutions. For fifteen years, Image Presentations has worked with over 100 independent schools, colleges and universities. Mr. Edwards is a member of Harvard University's Advisory Council on Shareholder Responsibility, and a member of the New England Committee of the NAACP/Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and a member of the Board of Overseers of the Handel and Haydn Society. He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard College. Michael Eisenson, Managing Partner, Aeneas Group, Inc. For the past seven years, Michael Eisenson has co-managed a $1.4 billion portfolio of private equity investments for the Harvard University endowment at Aeneas Group, a subsidiary of the Harvard Management Co., Inc. Previously, he was a member of the Boston Consulting Group, where he was involved in developing strategy and organization design recommendations for major international corpora- tions. Mr. Eisenson serves on the Boards of Directors of a number of public and private companies. He is a graduate of Williams College and received law and management degrees from Yale University. 13 Matt Epstein, Partner, Goulston & Storrs Mr. Epstein practices commercial real estate development and financing law for this Boston-based law firm. He is also a corporate board member of the Massachu- setts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Mr. Epstein is a graduate of Harvard College. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School as well as a master's degree in social and political science at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, while serving as the Harvard Scholar. William H. Fonvielle, Vice President, The Forum Corporation Mr. Fonvielle provides consultation and training to the senior management of large organizations, helping them improve quality, establish performance measures, more effectively gather and analyze information, and become customer-driven. Previ- ously, he has served as vice president of consulting for Goodmeasure, Inc., in Cambridge, Mass., director of public affairs for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and president of Communicon, Inc., a Chicago-based advertising agency. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Shimer College and a master's degree in management from Yale University. Jane Harman, Public Relations Consultant Ms. Harman is a freelance public relations consultant who specializes in media relations and event formulation and production. Her consulting business focuses primarily in the non-profit sector. Ms. Harman is a graduate of Boston University. Gale Hunt, L.I.C.S.W. Ms. Hunt is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, who is now raising her three sons. She worked as a psychotherapist in a private practice in Brighton, Mass., and at a local community mental health center. From 1987 to 1992, Ms. Hunt served as President of the Board of Directors of the Interface Foundation, Watertown, Mass. She also serves on the Board of the Family Center in Somerville, Mass., and is a member of the Threshold Foundation, in California. Ms. Hunt is a graduate of Simmons School of Social Work and Hollins College. Anne L. Hurwitch, Retail Consultant, Gorden Brothers Ms. Hurwitch is a retail consultant for women's apparel stores. Formerly, she marketed and promoted sales and special events for Hurwitch Bros., a women's clothing store in Wellesley, Mass. Ms. Hurwitch serves as President of the Newton 14 Country Day School's Alumnae Association, and is a member of the Horizon House and the Rivers School Parents' League. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Maryville University. Linda Mason, President, Bright Horizons Children's Centers Ms. Mason is President and co-founder of Bright Horizons, which operates high- quality worksite childcare centers. Prior to Bright Horizons, she was Co-Director of Save the Children's emergency program in Sudan, serving 400,000 famine and war victims. Along with Roger Brown, Ms. Mason wrote the book, Rice, Rivalry and Politics, an analysis of their experiences in the refugee camps on the Thai/Cambodian Border during the Cambodian relief operation. She has also worked as a business consultant for Booz, Allen and Hamilton, in New York and Paris. Ms. Mason is a graduate of the Yale School of Management and Cornell University, and is a recipient of the Boston Jaycees' Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award. Anne Rollins, Retired Education Professional After dedicating more than 24 years to education at Lasell College, Ms. Rollins recently retired as director/teacher of the Child Study Center in Newton, Mass. She has served on various educational boards in Newton and Wellesley, including the West Suburban Nursery School Assoc. (WSNSA), Newton Early Childhood Assoc. (NECA) and the FACE Day Care Center, as well as the New England College Laboratory Schools. Ms. Rollins is an active alumnae and serves as a member of the Lasell Board of Management, and a corporator to the Lasell College Board of Trustees. She received an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Lasell College and a bachelor's degree in special education from Framingham State College. Donald Steiner, President, Cornerstone Capital Group Mr. Steiner is a co-founder of Boston Capital Ventures, a Boston-based investment management firm. He has recently formed the Cornerstone Group to acquire and merge companies in the areas of direct marketing, home shopping and specialty retailing. Prior to Boston Capital Ventures, Mr. Steiner was Vice President of New Business Development at the Gillette Company, Boston, Mass. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and the Harvard Business School. 15 Nkere Udofia, Vice President of the Aeneas Group, Inc. Mr. Udofia works as a senior investment officer at Aeneas Group, Inc., the private investment affiliate of Harvard University and also serves as a member of the board of directors for several private companies. Prior to joining Aeneas in 1989, he was employed by Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, and Boston Consulting Group in New York. Mr. Udofia is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a graduate of Harvard Business School. Kyle Upton, Investment Administrator and Senior Consultant, Harvard Univer- sity Office of Human Resources Retirement Programs As primary liaison for the University and four investment company vendors, Ms. Upton advises faculty and staff regarding their retirement related investment decisions and administers the University's retirement plans. Previously, she worked for Scudder, Stevens and Clark, a national investment services firm. Ms. Upton chaired the Parent Fund and Understanding Handicaps Committees, and co-chaired the Class One Gift Committee at Milton Academy. Ms. Upton received a masters degree in business administration from Babson College and a bachelors degree from George Washington University. Susan Whitehead, Attorney at Law Ms. Whitehead has a private practice in Boston. Prior to that, she spent six years in the New York City legal system, primarily in criminal prosecution, and worked for the ACLU in Jackson, Miss. Ms. Whitehead is Vice-Chair of the Board of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT; a member of the Visiting Committee for the MIT Biology Department; a member of the Visiting Committee of the Duke University Medical Center and a Board Member of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. She received a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University and a doctor of law degree from Cordozo School of Law. 16 Clinton Presidential Records Digital Records Marker This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. This marker identifies the place of a publication. Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room. The Horizons Initiative Benefit Gala 8 Saturday, April 9, 1994 to - ay, April-9, 1994 at the ohn F. Kennedy PM Library pendby Ted-ex June 2, 1994 EastWest Travel Inc. 47 Eliot Street South Natick, MA 01760 Attn: Dottie Dear Dottie: Enclosed is the unused tickets for Alexis M. Herman to Boston on April 9. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she was not able to travel. Sincerely, Ruby G. Moy Executive Assistant cc: Jane Harman Enclosures June 2, 1994 EastWest Travel Inc. 47 Eliot Street South Natick, MA 01760 Attn: Dottie Dear Dottie: Enclosed is the unused tickets for Alexis M. Herman to Boston on April 9. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she was not able to travel. Sincerely, Ruby G. Moy Executive Assistant CC: Jane Harman Enclosures JANE HARMAN (508 653-9902 213541736 w for remara 4p95 april 9, 1994 P,02 & Boston TO: RUBY MOY FR: JANE HARMAN (508) 653-9902 RE: MS. HERMAN'S BOSTON ITINERARY - HORIZONS INITIATIVE 4/9-10 DT: 3/30/94 You should receive Ms. Herman's airline tickets today via Federal Express. I hope the revised itinerary meets with your approval. Ms. Herman is scheduled to speak after the main dinner course is cleared, while coffee is being served. I know that you and I have to talk about her speech. I understand you received a confirmation letter asking Ms. Herman to speak about the plight of homeless families in this country. Let's talk about what you need us to do in this regard. I left messages with Deloras Handy (Brown?) at WGBH-TV. I will follow up with her. It appears that the tour of the family shelter will be perhaps one of our only times for press. I will keep you and Flo McAfee posted in this regard. Again, thank you for your help. JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.03 PROPOSED ITINERARY: THE HON. ALEXIS M. HERMAN - SATURDAY, APRIL 9 - SUNDAY APRIL 10, 1994 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - GUEST SPEAKER THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE BENEFIT GALA DINNER Saturday, April 9: 11:00 am: USAIR Flight #674 departs National Airport (see itinerary) 12:25 am: Flight arrives Logan Airport Ms. Herman will be met in the terminal by Judy George, Nkere Udofia and Sue Heilman. They will accompany Ms. Herman throughout the day and will provide all transportation requirements. 1:00 am: MS. Herman tours Horizons Initiative Playspace at local family shelter (tba - press photo op) 2:00 pm: Arrival/check-in/lunch at: The Copley Plaza Hotel carol 138 St. James Avenue Boston MA 02116 (617) 267-5300 (617) 267-7668 - fax 3:00-3:30 pm Press interviews in hotel (tba) 4:00-5:30 pm: Pre-event reception: The Library Bar (in hotel) approx. 15 guests (will supply guest list) 7:15 pm: Depart hotel for J.F.K. Library Horizons Initiative Dinner and Benefit 7:30 pm: Arrive J.F.K. Library JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.04 2-2-2-2 7:30-7:45 pm: Cocktail reception at library 8:00-8:30 pm: Dinner served 8:00 pm: Welcome /opening remarks by Mark Edwards, Master of Ceremonies 8:30-8:40 pm: Overview of organization, plan for evening - Mark Edwards 8:40-8:50 pm: Video presentation 8:50 pm: Mark Edwards introduces Ms. Herman 8:50-9:05 pm: Ms. Herman speech 9:05-9:25 pm: Awards presentations 9:25-9:30 pm: Horizons Initiative staff, volunteer recognition 9:30 pm: Dancing begins 11:00 pm: End Return to hotel is at Ms. Herman's convenience Sunday, April 10: 9:00 am: Hotel departure to Logan Airport 10:00 am USAIR flight # 457 departs Logan Airport 11:36 am: Flight arrival at National Airport # # # Judy George: (o) (617) 769-9130 (h) (617) 696-3580 Sue Heilman: (o) (617) 252-4362 (h) (617) 492-7543 Nkere Udofia: (o) (617) 720-4829 Mark Edwards: (o) (617) 860-7707 (h) (617) 863-1907 Jane Harman: (media) (508) 653-9902 JANE HARMAN (508)653-9902 2135417736 P.01 JANE ROCKWELL HARMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS TELEFAX COVER LETTER TO THE ATTENTION OF: RuBy moy COMPANY/DEPARTMENT : OFFICE OF Public LiAlron NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING COVER): 4 RECEIVING TELEFAX NUMBER: 202-456-2983 SENDING DATE: 3/230 FROM: Jane Harman *MESSAGE* Thank JM, Ruby ! 117 PLEASANT STREET I SOUTH NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760 TEL: (508) 653-9902 FAX: (508) 651-8854 MEMORANDUM OF CALL Previous editions usable TO: 2 YOU WERE CALLED BY- YOU WERE VISITED BY-- Sue Hiliman OF (Organization) X PLEASE PHONE FTS AUTOVON 617-252-4362 WILL CALL AGAIN IS WAITING TO SEE YOU RETURNED YOUR CALL WISHES AN APPOINTMENT MESSAGE 202531178 mobile RECEIVED BY A DATE TIME Prescribed 4/8 by GSA 10am 63-110 NSN 7540-00-634-4018 STANDARD FORM 63 (Rev. 8-81) * U.S.G.P.O. : 1993 342-198/80011 FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 Snt THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON Alexis M. Herman, Director PHONE: (202) 456-2930 FAX: (202) 456-6218 FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET Number of Pages (Including Cover) 12 To: Helene G. Fax: 5140293 Phone: Date: 4/8/94 From: Ruly moy Per our cow Message: anice a 1997 cuflo Flo remarks 2/11/94 The Horizons Initiative MASS, January 5, 1994 Alexis Herman Assistant to the President, Director of Public Liaison The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Speak, 1994 Washington, DC 20062 yes per Dear Ms. Herman: Amer I am writing on behalf of The Horizons Initiative, the only organization in Massachusetts focused exclusively on the needs of homeless children, which I believe 1/24/97 has been introduced to you through a wonderful supporter of ours, Judy George. She and one of our Board of Directors, Nkere Udofia, met with you a month or so ago and discussed our programs and services for homeless children and their families. We are a non-profit, charitable organization, and have an annual fundraising event planned for this coming April 9, 1994. We would like to invite you to this event, and would be honored if you would speak to our audience about the importance of childcare services and programs for homeless children, from your own personal perspective as well as a representative of the Clinton Administration's interest in this area. We are confident that your presence at our benefit event will add to the evening's appeal to our constituency, therefore adding to its success. The proceeds of the event will help us accomplish our goal of opening the first full-time childcare center for homeless children in Boston, the Community Children's Center. Our program is the first of its kind in this area, and possibly in the country. As the enclosed materials describe in further detail, our programs are not only about the important job of early intervention in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in America, but also, and equally important, about their parents, usually single women, breaking out of the cycle of homelessness and poverty in which they are otherwise trapped. We have heard great things about you from Judy George, (who, by the way, sponsored a fantastic event for us this past fall), and hope that you will be available to help our efforts. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Juganne Herlman Suzanne Heilman Co-Director enc. One Kendall Square Building 200 Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617 / 577-8967 helping hands for homeless children Printed on Recycled Paper April 9,1994 cc yeo for remarks The Horizons Initiative 6-11p BOSTON February 4, 1994 Alexis Herman Assistant to the President FEB 16 The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20062 Dear Ms. Herman: After speaking with your assistant Ruby, I am writing to confirm your engagement on April 9, 1994 at The Horizons Initiative's Fifth Annual Benefit Gala, which will be held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, MA from 6:00pm until 11:00pm. Enclosed you will find a copy of the invitation which is being mailed this week to about 4,000 households in the Boston area. We are very excited and honored that you will be the featured guest at our event. We expect 350-400 people to attend the evening affair, including local business leaders and politicians. Judy George and Nkere Udofia of Domain Furniture have spoken so highly of you to us, and other members of our Board of Directors are familiar with your work in the fields of business, human resources, and diversity management. As a representative of the Clinton Administration, we are looking forward to your comments on the plight of homeless families in this nation. In Boston, there are close to 500 homeless families, with more than 1000 children. Our programs are designed to serve the developmental needs of these otherwise neglected children, as well as to provide educational and occupational opportunities for their parents, usually single mothers. We envision our programs as models for other cities and regions. Please let me know what arrangements should be made for your arrival at the JFK Library on April 9. We will be glad to help out in any way that we can. I will contact your office again as we approach the date of April 9. Thank you again for your support of our mission. Sincerely, Juganne Suzanne Heilman Halman Co-Director enc. One Kendall Square Building 200 . Cambridge, MA 02139 Telephone 617 / 252-4362 Facsimile 617 / 577 -8967 helping hands for homeless children Printed on Recycled Paper The Horizons Initiative May 1993 Benefit Community Children's A Great Event Center Update news update The Community Children's Center will be August 1993 Volume 4 Issue 2 "What a fantastic night!" Comments like this a first-of-its-kind comprehensive childcare were echoed again and again from the 300 fes- center for homeless children and their tive supporters who gathered on May 1 at The families. The Community Children's Center 1993 Volunteers Message from the Children's Museum for The Horizons will provide full-time childcare services for 45 Initiative's Fourth Annual Benefit. homeless children of the Year Co-Directors three months to six One of the most rewarding aspects of our Each year, The Horizons Initiative presents an work is the excitement of watching a child years in age. At the award to a volunteer who has shown out- same time, this child- grow and make major achievements in standing dedication and commitment as a care center will offer his/her development. This excitement is Playspace Activity Leader, at one of the area also a part of any parent's experience, as on-site programs and family shelters. This year The Horizons well as the experience of our Playspace opportunities for the Initiative honored two exemplary volunteers Volunteers, who work with children who parents of the enrolled with the Volunteer of the Year Award. are homeless. These children go through children including the Mary Cappadona, a volunteer at Lifehouse major developmental milestones during time necessary for shelter in Dorchester, has been involved with the time they are living in family shelters. accessing permanent The Horizons Initiative for nearly two years. housing, job skills Many children learn to sit up, walk and talk Mary says that she looks forward to interact- during their time in the shelter, and to training, GED pro- ing with the children each week, and that her make important choices for themselves. grams, child develop- experience at the shelter has truly helped her ment classes and coun- The Horizons Initiative-formerly The to identify with the homeless situation. Peggy Horizons Fund-has experienced this seling. A center of this Smith, Lifehouse shelter staff, emphasizes exciting growth and development process magnitude and scope is Arnold Hiatt, chairman of the Stride Rite how much the children enjoy Mary's compa- itself over the past few years. Originally not available anywhere else in the country. Foundation, accepts the Second Annual Horizons ny. "The children don't know whether it is conceived by and temporarily housed in Initiative Award for his community service work to Plans for the Community Children's Friday or Monday, but they always know the Bright Horizons Children's Centers benefit disadvantaged children and their families Center have been finalized over the past few what day Mary is coming," Smith said. at The Children's Museum in Boston corporate headquarters, while it took its months. Through regular meetings with the first few steps, The Community Children's Center Advisory The evening featured The Horizons Horizons Initiative Board-which includes many family shelter Initiative's audio visual production, "A moved into its own staff-a referral and selection process has Chance To Play". This eight minute presenta- been established, and an evaluation model space a year ago. Now, tion offers a stirring inside look at the enor- as of July 1, 1993, this has been designed. Options for GED pro- mous impact that The Horizons Initiative's former child has grams, career training and placement ser- playspaces, and the volunteers who staff them, emerged with a new vices, and parenting skills programs are have in 15 Boston area family shelters. Other identity, and as the being explored. evening highlights included the presentation Active fundraising has begun. We official- only organization in of the Second Annual Horizons Initiative Massachusetts focused ly launched a Capital Fund Drive on May 1, Award to Stride Rite Foundation Chairman exclusively on the 1993. To date, $250,000 in pledges have been Arnold Hiatt, in recognition of his many years needs of homeless made to the Community Children's Center. of community work to benefit disadvantaged children. Our goal is to have $600,000 pledged before children and their families. The Volunteer(s) The "fund" name opening the center, and we hope to have of the Year Awards went to Cathy Bryant and came from the first reached this number by late Fall, with the Mary Cappadona-Mary was unable to be at opening then slated for the Spring of 1994. and Cathy Bryant (bottom, right) program of the orga- the event (see separate article). nization, which aimed We look forward to the day we can actu- With encouragement from The Horizons Ato provide scholarships to low-income ally open the doors to this childcare center Initiative's volunteers, guests participated in working families for childcare services. and provide these valuable and much need "playing" with some of the museum's on-site ed services to children and families who After a brief attempt at this ambitious goal, exhibition activities. Entertainment was pro- homeless in Boston. the organization chose a new direction, vided by WSSH Radio disc jockey Bob and has operated shelter-based programs Bronson, who lured many onto the dance 1994 Event now for two years: the Playspace Program floor as the evening progressed. A proverbial and the Playspace Volunteer Network. Committee Recruiting smorgasbord of foods from around the world "Fund" was no longer appropriate; thus was provided by East Meets West -one of New Members the "Initiative" was born. The largest "ini- Boston's top caterers. This year's annual event, which tratives planned by the organization to The gala evening nettedimore,than, May 1 at the Children's Museum date,the Community Children's Center-a $20,000, which will be usedito enormous success! We raisedimore comprehensive program for homeless chil- Horizons Initiative's programs $20,000 in donations to help-fund their families-is already receiv- This year's event was organized grams and services. The Horizons great support from the community, chaired by Joan Donahue and Initiative's Event Committee begunes look forward with much anticipa- Other event committee membersincl planning for next year' s spring ationito its opening in Dorchester in less Barbara Eisenson, Cindy Farner, Beth seeking new members to become hasbeen a Playspace than a year. Halpert, Karen Langweber, Lynn Palmer, Annel with planning Activity Leader for In our work to provide these valuable Rollins, Susan Thonis and Mary Anne members dedication programs for children who are homeless, Many thanks, again, to all who attended smaller be of the shelter. In addition we appreciate the nurturing and stimula- the event, participated in its planning, and We shelter, tion that The Horizons Initiative receives most importantly to those who gave a dona- dinvite any The Horizons Initiative organized and completed from its friends and supporters. tion that will help us continue the innovative House enjoy organiz These are essential to our continued and much needed services The Horizons advertising and to contribute experience hasitaught growth and development! Initiative is able to provide. Hope to your talents and and has generally all again next year! beenivery Italso has been very your Thai ou all. greetify ther an enthusiastic continue working event Horizons Initiative. We are helping hands for homeless-children have rinvolvement and dedica thisitype of commitment and true Board of Directors Staff Newsletter devotion that makes both Mary and Gathy Josh Bekenstein Jane Harman Sue Heilman Volunteer of the Award Freya Bernstein Gale Hunt Pamela Mann Roger Brown Anne Hurwitch Co-Directors Phyllis Cater Linda Mason Liz McLaughlin Joan Donahue Anne Rollins Development Assistant Mark Edwards Don Steiner Elissa Shore Michael Eisenson Nkere Udofia Volunteer Coordinator Matt Epstein Kyle Upton Bill Fonvielle Susan Whitehead The Horizons Initiative's (THI) Program Locations Here's How You Can Help Shelter Name # of children Playspace Active THI Us Continue To Help Others built by THI Volunteers The Horizons Initiative is a non-profit, tax exempt organization which is funded entirely by Boston Family Shelter 13 Yes charitable donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. We truly appreciate the The Brookview House 17 Yes Yes generosity of all of those who give what they can to support our programs for homeless children. Cambridge YMCA Family Shelter 14 Yes Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of $ CSR Family Shelter 21 Crossroads Family Shelter 20 Yes Name: Families in Transition 30-40 Yes Address Family House Shelter 30 Yes City: State. Zip. Harbor Me Shelter Yes Phone Number: Hildebrand Family Self Help Center 8 Yes Just-A-Start House 10 Yes Yes Special occasion donations are a lasting way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, to Lifehouse Shelter 10 Yes Yes recognize a promotion or retirement, or to honor the memory of a friend or relative while Project HOPE 16 Yes providing essential funds for The Horizons Initiative. Second Step 5 Yes Yes My Gift is: In honor of In memory of Sojourner House 10 Yes Name: St. Ambrose Family Inn 26 Yes Occasion: Women's Lunch Place 12 Yes Please Send Acknowledgement to: Information is accurate as of July 1, 1993. Progress Name Address: City: State: Zip News of Note Council, comprised be assisting with the the article featuring information new Sojourner House'in oxbury, The Horizons Initiative programs and setting Playspace vices was published in the July runby The Children's Services of Roxbun issue of the Newton TAB and the July issue of the Cambridge TAB. Steve Shapiro; president of American Learning Expeditions, Inc: organizes The Boston Garden management has international travelers to stay in people's chosen Horizons Initiative to one homes the community, and has donated the beneficiaries of three annual portion of the -held the Garden including: two open - - hank you American Learning shouse events Play on Parquet and Bruins Expeditions! skating event; and aWBCN concert Rock of Boston. Horizons hosted Volunteer Appreciation New Playspace at Second Step Shelter in Newton. This Playspace was created by The Horizon's Domain Furniture will belhosting holi- Night" dinner and entertain Initiative in conjunction with Second Step residents. Many of the toys were donated by area families, day event to benefit The Horizons Initiative the esplanade. including a large toy drive coordinated by the Lasell College Child Study Center. on November 21, in the Chestnut volunteers, The Horizons Initiativ An array. of activities including charcoal and shelter staff, met the agoon on Holiday Greetings from December Toy Store and caricatures by esplanade delicious The Horizons Initiative Benefit; Add it to Your Kentertainmentby thanks Shopping List tasty treats provided The theme & everyone who attended concert Send a holiday greeting to your friends willibe the importance of home to-make the and family and make a donation to a No Kidding!, a toy store in Brookline, fre- Polaroid Corporation employees,will AIDS 101 great cause at the same time. The quently hosts "Friday Night Funds" at the working with T he Horizons Initiative about.AIDS awareness Horizons Initiative Holiday Cards will be store. All purchases between 6-9 p.m. on August to complete a series of staff training August our available for purchase in September. Friday nights throughout a exercises. The Employee Owners Influence This year's cards will particular month are of course reflect our totalled and the organiza- new name, with the tion pre-chosen for the Thanks For front cover sporting month receives a donation Volunteer Your Support! festive holiday colors. of five percent of the Inside, the cards will night's sales. Store owner Recruitment The Horizons Initiative is very grateful to all of the individuals who have made contribu- be blank for personal- Judy Cockerton has cho- Next Volunteer Training will be offered ized notes, and infor- tions during the past year. In addition, we sen The Horizons on September 22 and 28 in the evenings. mation about The have been very fortunate to receive gifts from Initiative to be the Call Panela Mann or Elissa Shore for the following list of corporations, founda- Horizons Initiative will December recipient of an application today! tions and organizations: be printed on the back. "Friday Night Funds" Holiday card mar- SEASONS just in time for the Call today! Arthur Arthur Merck Family Fund keting efforts will be Athenaeum Group Merrill Corporation OREETINGS Christmas and 252-4362 Bright Horizons Norwest Ventures expanded by making Hanukkah holidays! Children's Centers Ocean Spray them available at several No Kidding! Canadian Women's Club Pilgrim Church Boston area retail also hosts "Pass It On!", where kids can Wish List Ceridien Polaroid Corporation stores-start looking for them in the Fall. donate or give their old toys, books and Charles Engethard Price Waterhouse We also hope to broaden the holiday card If anyone is interested in donating the follow- Foundation games away to other less fortunate kids, St Paul's of Boston motif to include note cards for all occa- ing items, we would be most appreciative: Environments who aren't able to buy new toys or don't St. Peter's Church sions throughout the year. one cube refrigerator First Parish of Lincoln in Weston have any of their own. The toys must be in Hallsmith-Sysco Beat the holiday rush and order your one desktop laser printer Testa. Hurzwitz good-to-new condition, and must have all Hand in Hand and Thibeault - two to four desk chairs on rollers cards early! Please contact us if you are of the appropriate parts or pieces. Hunt Family Foundation W.B. Mason Company interested in displaying cards at your place Remember to join us at 19 Harvard In-kind donations are also welcome. Many peo- Edward Hutton Foundation Wellesley Congregational of business as well. Cards will be available Street in Brookline on December 3rd, 10th, ple have organized toy drives for our programs, Image Presentations Church at The Horizons Initiative office in and this is a great way to help. Please note that George B.H. Macomber Work/Family Connections 17th, 24th and 31st. Happy Holidays! Company September, call 252-4362. toys and books that are donated to us need to be Massachusetts Financial in NEW condition. Services The Horizons Initiative NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE One Kendall Square, Building 1500 PAID Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 252-4362 BOSTON, MA Permit No. 56969 Address correction requested T H E N E W T 0 N TAB July 13. 1993 Giving kids place to play Horizons Fund helps homeless preschoolers Pamela Mann and Sue Heilman. co-directors of The Horizons Fund for homeless children. By Marge Hiatt Bernstein Special to the TAB CAMBRIDGE-The small room in the basement of Lifehouse in Dorchester is active with toddlers inspecting toys. It may be the site of any child-care have full-time jobs but have made a program. where a weekly commitment to the homeless warm friendly teacher "They face a higher risk children at Lifehouse to show them helps children learn and there are adults they can count on. have fun until it's time to of failure in the future if Creating a play space for young go home. children in homeless shelters is one But these 2-year-olds they don't get support goal of the Cambridge-based non-prof- won't be going home when playtime is over. early. Homeless children, it organization the Horizons Fund. whose executive director is Newton They are part of who have little or no resident Pamela Mann. a former Peace Boston's estimated Corps volunteer in the Dominican 1,200 homeless children stability, seldom develop Republic. under age 18. and they Half of Boston's homeless children live in a shelter - one any self-esteem or sense are under age six, according to Mann. room for each family, and a bathroom, kitchen. of trust in others." They are children of poverty, and since they're preschoolers. they don't living room and play - Pamela Mann. executive director receive any services. "They face a space for common use. higher risk of failure in the future if Their teachers are they don't get support early," says trained volunteers who Mann. HORIZONS FROM PAGE 16 "Homeless children, who own rules for have little or no using the play to the community. Mary Cappadona. a volunteer at Dorchester's stability, sel- spaces." Lifehouse shelter for the past two years. is a budget analyst for the state Joint Labor and Management Committee. She likes dom develop Benefit to kids playing, reading and doing arts and crafts activities with the tod- any self-esteem and parents dlers, who often have been shunted from one place after another. or sense of trust Affiliated And, says Cappadona. hugging 2-year-old Anita and her little in others." through mutual brother, Julio. "it's a good change from doing Senate budgets Through the board members today." efforts of with Bright But it's not only the children who benefit from the Horizons Mann. co-direc- Horizons - a Fund programs. Mann explains that the parents need to break out tor Sue work site child- of the cycle of poverty but cannot leave the shelters without Heilman and a care program in some type of training and a job. To accomplish this, they need board of 18 which both some kind of child care. Often mothers - there are rarely single young business Mann and fathers in shelters just need some time for themselves. Or and profession- Heilman have teenage mothers with babies under age 2 may be working toward al executives, their own a high school diploma and are desperate for child care. the Horizons preschoolers - Probably the most ambitious objective of the Horizons Fund Fund has estab- the non-profit is literally on the drawing board now, Mann says. Thanks to an lished six fur- Horizons Fund architect friend of the organization, plans are ready for a unique nished play provides train- community children's center to open in 1994 in a wing of spaces in home- ing for play space volunteers. Dorchester's recently closed St. Margaret's Hospital. The center less shelters - More than 70 working pro- will provide daily child care for 45 homeless children ages 6 a seventh is fessionals, business execu- months to 6 years from Boston area shelters as well as compre- underway - tives, college students and hensive services for their parents. Only 12 programs that serve with involve- parents have attended train- the same needs currently exist nationwide, says Mann. ment from the ing sessions and made a An already formed advisory board for the center includes rep- parents who commitment of one session a resentatives from Children's Hospital. the state Department of live there. "We week for at least six months Education. Boston Public Schools, Wheelock and Lesley col- read the situa- to young homeless children leges and other social service agencies. tion first and do from Dorchester to The Horizons Fund already has pledges of a quarter of a mil- just what resi- Somerville. The program is lion dollars for the community children's center, and the organi- dents of each run in conjunction with the zation has applied for federal funding through the McKinney individual shel- state Department of Act. which supports programs for the homeless. ter want." says Education. A capital campaign is now underway, but, Mann says, "Until Mann. "And we Mann says most volun- we have $600,000 in our hands, we can't turn the shovel [to dig encourage them teers want to give back the new center]. And every month we're not open, we're wasting to create their something time." COMPLIMENTARY COPY 1992 Parents' Paper CHILD CARE FOR THE HOMELESS GETS A BOOST FROM THE KILLING FIELDS OF CAMBODIA, the hungry belly of Ethiopia and the poverty pockets of the Dominican Republic came a vision for the homeless children of Boston: Recruit volunteers to help create an environ- ment that's nurturing, stimulating and safe. Give them a play space they can call their own, while their mothers (or fathers, more rarely) try to get back on their feet. It was a vision seen by Bright Horizons founders Linda Mason and Roger Brown after their return from relief work in Cambodia and Ethiopia. It was a vision implemented by Pamela Mann after her work with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. And it is a vision that has now, two years later, been rewarded with a seed grant of $50,000 for PHOTO BY LINDA HAAS a community child-care center. The money gives The Horizons Fund, a Volunteer teacher Karen Amodeo reads to LaClea Fields and Celia Duarte as Jamal Clayton looks on at charitable affiliate of the child care facility at the Lifehouse shelter in Dorchester. Bright Horizons, theop- portunity to plan a unique center that would build on grassroots community support and reach out to homeless families and families at risk. The grant provides the With components linked to health care and social services, "it would cater to all ages," says opportunity to plan a Mann. The Horizons Fund, which uses avail- able shelter space for child care, now can start child-care center that would a capital fundraising campaign, Mann adds. She is looking for a building to renovate in build on community support and reach out to homeless BY FAITH KUHNS families. THE BOSTON PARENTS' PAPER MARCH 1992 Dorchester's Upham's Corner, an area that has CHILD CARE FOR HOMELESS- room suite." Then, her brow furrows as she no less than five homeless shelters. The center CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 remembers that her family is not expected to has already been endorsed by Rep. Nelson Mann says. "It's an integrative process with have an apartment until 10 months after com- Merced, D-Dorchester, and Ed Grimes, direc- the residents and staff. We ask them what ing to Lifehouse. "Maybe I can store it in my tor of Upham's Corner Health Center. they'd like to see for their children." aunt's basement." Mann, who is executive director of The Ho- In the basement of the Lifehouse shelter in "I'll decorate it with Waldo," she says refer- rizons Fund, which sponsors play spaces for 11 Dorchester a poster, drawn by resident par- ring to a Where's Waldo book given to her by homeless shelters, has already assembled a ents, hangs on the wall. It states, among other Judy Cohen, house placement coordinator. "Or program planning task force that represents rules, that there shall be time out for misbehav- maybe Barbie. Barbie on one wall, Waldo on such organizations as the Massachusetts De- ior, and that equipment should be used with the other." She picks up a small plastic sports partment of Education, Boston Children's Hos- respect so that it lasts. car. "My Porsche," she announces. pital, Wheelock and Lesley colleges, Project A few feet away, a little girl named Shemeka Mann later notes that, "homeless children Weave (creating careers for the homeless), Mas- plays marble checkers with a volunteer. She's have the same dreams as other kids do." sachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, the Edu- had to stay home from school today, while her When volunteers, like Karen Amodeo, can cation Development Center and Head Start. mother is in college. But Shemeka is not sitting give these children the special attention they Currently there are in front of the television, compiling an impos- crave, they blossom. Amodeo is a graduate only a handful of child- sible wish list from toy advertisements. In- student in elementary education at Wheelock care centers for the stead, she has spent the morning drawing car- College, and drives from Natick two mornings homeless nationwide, toons of herself and her caregiver, and playing a week to volunteer. She says that her usual including one run by the strategic board games. charges are preschoolers. On her first day, she Salvation Army at the Encouraged, she begins talking about her watched 10 children under age 6 by herself. Cambridge YMCA. hopes for the future. "I'm going to get a bed- "It gives me experiences with children that Mann is trying to draw on "the best aspects of these other centers to createa model program to serve Boston." Her pattern of getting the community in- volved in launching want to gain experience working with chil- child-care projects dren, or get more educated about working grows out of her development work in the Mann is looking for a with the homeless. All volunteer out of the Peace Corps. It has proven successful in re- goodness of their hearts. Many work other jobs cruiting, training and placing 60 volunteers in building to renovate in full time or are students." shelters from Dorchester to Somerville, and in The hitch with using volunteers, is that creating shelter play spaces with residents' input. Upham's Corner, an area turnover is high. Mann asks her two-day "I look for involvement from the residents," trainees to commit themselves to three months with no less than five of service. She plans to start another training CHILD CARE FOR THE HOMELESS- session in March. Her greatest manpower need CONTINUED ON PAGE 39 homeless shelters. "is to recruit more daytime volunteers." "We especially need people in the morn- ings," says Amodeo, who often works that I wouldn't have otherwise," she says. "I was an shift by herself. accountant before I started the graduate pro- Donations are also welcome and The Hori- gram, so this is a great experience." zons Fund is now looking for volunteers to All this on a budget of $50,000. Mann credits help throw an annual black tie benefit ball at a generous response to her volunteer recruit- the Prudential Skywalk in May. Call 617-577- ing. 8020 to find out how you can help. "The majority of our volunteers are profes- sionals," she says. "Over 50 percent have had Faith Kuhns is a free-lance writer and mother of child-care or educational experience. Some two in Arlington. Boston Sunday Globe AUGUST 4, 1991 Volunteers work to ease plight of homeless children By Phyllis Coons GLOBE STAFF The 2-year-old from Haiti spent most of his time sitting listlessly in the corner at the homeless shelter. He had not responded to any of the volunteers' efforts to make friends. He hadn't even cried or fought back when other children pushed him off the stool he was sitting on. But when a volunteer arrived with his guitar and cajoled a 4-year- old girl to sing a song in Creole, the boy suddenly stood up and began clapping his hands. Most of the breakthroughs aren't as dramatic at the 12 shelters where people of all ages are starting to work in a new Preschool Volunteer Network. But day by day, volunteers are starting to make friends with the homeless children who do not have the security or the structure in their lives that homes and schools provide. In a new venture started by the Horizons Fund. a Cambridge chari- table organization, and the Mass- achusetts Department of Education, early childhood specialists have trained 35 volunteers to work with homeless children under age six in 12 shelters in the Boston area. By helping children play, they become a friend to youngsters who have no homes and teach them that there are people they can count on. Learning by playing with the same adults every day offers some hope and continuity to children who fear that nothing is going to last. say GLOBE STAFF PHOTO WIGGS the social workers who run the shel- Volunteer Michael Sinsheimer watches over Jamellah Newton and her brother, Cajo, in a playroom at the Cambridge YWCA's homeless shelter. ters. Volunteers pledge to stay on the job for at least six months. By taking Jamellah Newton. punished him by much as I should. celebrated her second birthday at police and warning them 'You are care of children in shelters. they give repeatedly snatching his glasses be- "I have written checks for char- the Salvation Army center. going to get kicked out if you make the children's mothers. who have no cause she wanted him to pay more ity, but the Preschool Volunteer too much noise." homes, the feeling that there are attention to her dancing. But by the Network is an opportunity to deal Need for housing The children are willing to skip people to turn to. people who will time he left, Sinsheimer says that it consistently in a meaningful way "There is no way that I can breakfast to get into the playroom play the roles of neighbors and was a great feeling when Jamellah's with an ongoing problem and help change the world these mothers are first, adds Sister Jon. yet they have friends. two little brothers, Cajo and Daisho, kids that need attention and self-es- living in," said Olem. "All I can do is learned to look out for younger kids. "Mothers call or come in crying both tried to jump into his arms at teem," he said. to take them where they are and A 2-year-old knows enough to close and falling apart, desperate because the same time. About 25 children under six show them some of the skills to navi- the door right behind her so that ba- they have been told that they have to The 31-year-old volunteer has a spend their mornings in nursery gate their way to a better life." bies won't crawl out of the play get out of where they have been liv- son, Jacob, 2, and seven nieces and school classes run by Michelle Olem ing," says Sister Jon Julie Sullivan. nephews, so he knows what it takes director of the Salvation Army's day At Project Hope in Uphams Cor- room. the child life advocate at Project to keep toddlers feeling challenged. ner, where she works every morn- If children are new and they feel care program for homeless children overwhelmed, they make their own Hope in Uphams Corner who runs He also knows how lucky he is to on Massachusetts Avenue in Cam- ing, Amy Feinstein finds her volun- space by putting a blanket over ata- the playroom. have a challenging job himself. as bridge. High school volunteers help teer job "one of the most rewarding ble and hiding under it. "A shelter has failure written all vice president of a dental supply to feed them hot lunches before they things I've done," although she has over it," says Sister Jon, a former go back to the shelters where they been a camp counselor and has a "It often takes a year for a moth- firm. and one that is flexible enough narochial school teacher. "Most to allow him to share his time and live. paid job marketing books. A French er to find a place to live, says Sister mothers feel a tremendous sense of energy with children who have lost "We see people severely wound- and English major at the University Jon. "Even when she gets a Section 8, a housing subsidy, she still has to guilt to be there with their children. their homes. ed by life who need support," says of Massachusetts at Amherst. she find a place that she can afford and although they may be there because Olem. "The mothers come to a wom- says. "Project Hope is a wonderful wait for an inspector to check it out of events beyond their control such Meaningful help en's group to share their problems. place to work, but I agree with my as fire, lost jobs, divorce. ill health, A dozen preschoolers share their Stress is a constant, and violence boss, Sister Jon Julie, that there are and then for the landlord to conform to regulations." ibusive treatment or a whole cycle space with social worker Kate Dare- seems to be taken for granted." better solutions than putting home- Sister Jon thanks Feinstein for if misfortunes." Williams and Sinsheimer. Mothers picking up children in- less people in shelters." helping her with the dozen children At one shelter run by the Cam- "Homelessness is a big problem clude one from Barbados with a "Families need housing, not war- who live at the shelter. Another five oridge YWCA, business executive and I wanted to do what I could in blind 2-year-old daughter, a grand- ehousing," says Sister Jon. "Kids or six come in for the day while their Michael Sinsheimer admits that he terms of where my strengths are," mother from Haiti with a listless tod- love to play house. Sometimes when mothers are earning their high felt awkward when he started volun- says Sinsheimer. "For a while, I dler, and a battered mother from you get up close, you hear one telling school equivalencey diplomas. 'eering. One of the liveliest children, have taken and not given back as Brazil with 8 daughter who had just others that someone is calling the "The mothers need your help as AUGUST 4. 1991 Volunteers work to ease plight of homeless children 'All I can do is show them some of the skills to navigate their way to a better life.' MICHELLE OLEM, on the students' mothers much as the kids," she says. "They "Older sisters help us with the in- are exhausted enough to want to fants," adds Gaudette. "People don- sleep for weeks after all they have ate money to take the kids on field been through." trips. A lot of the families are here because their families broke up and Training efforts for economic reasons. Rents are too Welfare pays about $90 a day for high in Boston even for people who each family living in a shelter, said are working." Robert Wakefield, director of hous- Michelle Linnehan, former direc- ing for the department. "We took tor of the office for education of care of nearly 3,000 families this homeless children at the state De- year in the shelters run by welfare," partment of Education, Horizons ex- Wakefield says, "but there are a lot ecutive director Pamela Mann, and more in shelters run by other agen- child psychologist and pediatrician cies and charitable organizations. Dr. Jean Ciborowski of Children's Lack of decent housing is a major Hospital give training to volunteers problem. Volunteers helping at the at Horizons. local level make a tremendous differ- "To me the Preschool Volunteer ence, but the best shelter system is Network is helping to create a stron- no substitute for decent housing." ger safety network around these At the Crossroads Shelter, in homeless children," says Ciborowski. East Boston where volunteer Mar- "I am impressed by the enthusiasm garet Carr, a public accountant, and and commitment of these men and social worker Tina Gaudette, take women to children who need compe- care of 25 children, Carr says, "the tent adults in their lives. These chil- job could be intimidating, but Hori- dren need to learn how to make zons gave us very sound training. choices, they need to have affection They prepared us to help children and to be listened to. These children learn and have fun while they are do- have an incredible need for support." ing it."