With Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rearview mirror, this week brings a chance to give back to our communities through Giving Tuesday. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a growing movement that inspires people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Here at V2, we’ll be giving back throughout this holiday season with a focus on two organizations near and dear to our hearts—and encouraging others to explore opportunities to help support them this year!
First up is Horizons for Homeless Children, a non-profit organization leading the fight in Massachusetts to alleviate the trauma and stress of homelessness among children and their families by providing high-quality early education, vital opportunities for play, support for parents and crucial advocacy on behalf of some of our state’s most marginalized citizens.
Those vital opportunities for play are made possible through Horizons’ Playspace Program, which addresses the extensive needs of children in the family shelter system. While shelter staff is primarily focused on helping adults reach self-sufficiency, Horizons fills the gap for children through child-friendly rooms installed in over 120 family homeless shelters across the state. Designed to reflect the needs of children ages 0-6 experiencing trauma, Playspaces provide a dedicated place for children to play and grow.
Staffed by a dedicated group of Horizons volunteers called Playspace Activity Leaders, or PALs, the Playspaces also provide an opportunity for children to build connections with caring adults committed to their success.
How you can get involved:
- Horizons has an Amazon Wish List for its Playspaces, featuring educational toys for children and PALs to use across the state. To check out Horizons for Homeless Children’s Playspace Amazon Wish List, visit this link.
- To learn more about volunteering as a PAL, visit the Playspace Program page and read these frequently asked questions to consider as you apply.
Next up is DOVE (DOmestic Violence Ended), an amazing Massachusetts-based organization that supports victims of dating and domestic violence and their families by providing services ranging from crisis intervention, danger assessment and safety planning to supporting counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and education. All of DOVE’s services are grounded in advocacy, survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
Each year, DOVE’s Holiday Assistance Program serves to brighten the holidays of families served through DOVE’s Emergency Shelter and Community Services programs. With so many families in need during the holiday season and prices increasing for everything from basic groceries to essential items, the Holiday Assistance Program is a direct way to help survivors of domestic violence.
V2 is supporting two DOVE families this year, providing gift cards for a wish list of stores the families have identified as most helpful to them this holiday season.
How you can get involved:
- Learn more about DOVE’s Holiday Assistance Program here.
- Reach out to [email protected] to receive a list of options where donors can choose to support a specific family, donate general goods to their shelter or help support their much needed general gift card drive benefiting families through the holidays and beyond.
With the season of giving upon us, V2 is grateful for the opportunity to help others and for the tireless efforts of Horizons for Homeless Children, DOVE and so many other amazing mission-driven programs throughout the country, as they work to provide families and their loved ones with the support they need this holiday season—and throughout the year.