This year, the Boston Regional IAHSP Chapter selected the Home for Little Wanderer's, Boston MA, as their Worldwide Staging Service Week benefactors. At any given time, there are up to 12 boys that reside in the home from, ages 11-16. The home provides a structured, 24-hour therapeutic milieu, individual & family group therapy, and psychopharmacological consultation & management. The mission of the home is to ensure the healthy emotional mental and social development of children at risk, their families, and communities. Over 3 days, members of The Boston Regional IAHSP Chapter transformed the sitting room, dining room, and front hallway.
We wanted to create a feeling of warmth, relaxation, home-like, but masculine setting for the boys. Not only were these areas of the home restored and freshly painted, through the Chapter's solicited Corporate and Chapter Member donations, we were able to purchase new furniture, including a brand new 50-inch plasma television! We also managed to get sports action photographs donated, which were framed, and hung on the walls.
It was a huge success. The Home's Director of Volunteer & Community Outreach had this to say:
"Sadie (Guichard), what a fabulous transformation! The selected colors are warm, complementary and clearly take into account that the home is a group home for teenage boys. All the accessories - from the curtains and blinds, to the framed sports photos and pillows - really add to the new "homey" atmosphere. And with the new configuration, the blinds remain open allowing the sunlight to filter through."
"And the television! It's hard to get the kids away from it! With Cable TV connected, and the fall sports scene in full swing, the guys are loving all the action on the screen. And thanks to your generosity, they have the best seat in the house!"
"The Staff is raving about the makeover, and all the extras that you and your team so generously provided to the home. The new dishes are a welcome addition, along with the great linens for the dining area and bedrooms. And, the goody bags for each of the guys was a nice touch! Truly the success of our programs can be attributed not only to our dedicated Staff, but also to volunteers, like your IAHSP Chapter, who go out of their way to ensure that the kids in our care realize they are part of a supportive community."
Home for Little Wanderer's, Boston MA