MassLive: CISWH-Backed Project Improves Access to Child Care for Over 600 Children Experiencing Homelessness
Child refugees and those experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts have climbed aboard the COLORI Playspace Express — a vibrant, mobile classroom operated by Amal Alliance — to access early childhood education and social-emotional learning directly at emergency shelters. The program provides a safe, joyful environment that helps children cope with trauma, develop social skills, and experience stability. The Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH) at BU School of Social Work collaborated with Amal Alliance to better understand the effectiveness of the program.
Excerpt from “More than 600 Homeless Children Have Boarded this Eye-catching Bus. Here’s Why It Matters” by Hadley Barndollar:
The weekly enrichment programming works to ‘bring calm and tranquility’ to an uncertain, transitional time in these children’s lives, Danielle De La Fuente, CEO of the Amal Alliance, said.
‘These are the most formative years of their life, the most important for brain development,’ she said, noting that many of the kids have experienced varying levels of trauma and are exposed to toxic stress. Boston University School of Social Work is currently studying the traveling classroom program, and ‘everything is indicating we are seeing great progress.’”