When the school kitchens cut my hours, I had to go looking for another job. I’ve always worked with kids, and so when the name “Horizons for Homeless Children” appeared on the work-study list I was intrigued, being able to work with kids all year round, rather than just during the summer would be ideal.

It turns out the Horizons for Homeless Children is a program that works with shelters across Massachusetts, putting in play-spaces to allow the children to play. Several times a week, volunteers go in and play with the kids, giving the parents a break and allowing the kids to have some stress-free toys playing with toys that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

The kids that live inside of shelters have experienced trauma and loss and they live under a lot of stress with not a lot of space or time to themselves. Extra individual attention and knowing that there is someone out there that cares enough to take the time just to play gives the children hope that things can get better.

Having never been inside of a shelter before, I walked into my first shift not knowing that to expect. I was led to the basement, which, instead of being dark and dank, was a bright, primary-colored play-land. I was handed a baby, who, to my surprise, was bubbly and smiled the entire time. I was greeted warmly with hugs by several 2-year-olds and introduced to a play-space favorite, the toy kitchen, and taught how to make several different versions of plastic dinners. It became apparent that the children greatly appreciated the attention we were able to pay. Playing with them, even though it was in a basement, was a way for them to just be kids and to get away from the extra stress in their lives.

Through this program, I have met some truly amazing people. People who are willing to put a lot of things aside in order to help out some kids who deserve a little attention. A lot of people who have had their own interesting experiences and bring their own perspectives into working with kids. I have met people who bring individual toys to the kids, people who lend their artistic talents to show the kids what is possible to make with their hands, people who bring experiences from having their own children and grandchildren.

I have met so many people who are amazing role models for kids who could use an extra, steady influence in their lives. Not only that, but I have met so many kids who remain bright, cheery and pleasant despite the challenges they face. I have met kids who greet volunteers with a hug without fail, kids who share toys with their younger playmates even if it’s their favorite; I’ve seen kids give up their alone time to play with another kid that needed some company.

Going into this internship, I didn’t know what to expect. I was worried about having to interact with kids who had experienced a lot of hardship and trauma in their lives. But, through this, I have seen more happiness and triumph, more warmth and kindness from random individuals that I even knew was possible.