Our Partnership with Connor’s Kindness Project
Written by Isa Torres
Did you know that Housing Families has an important and meaningful partnership with fellow local nonprofit Connor’s Kindness Project?
What began with Connor Wright and Sharon Marrama, his grandmother, distributing COVID care packages in Lynnfield has blossomed into the Connor’s Kindness Project (CKP), a nonprofit organization that has delivered 5,751 baskets of toys and essentials to children in hospitals and shelters over the past three years.
Connor, who created CKP at just 12 years old, and his grandmother initially created packages filled with activities and comfort items for children in Lynnfield who were sick or in isolation from COVID. As their efforts grew, he and his grandmother expanded towards projects such as self-care baskets for healthcare workers at Boston area hospitals, clothing and essentials drives for Catie’s Closet, and “birthday-in-a-box” kits for children in shelters. CKP’s impact has increased, with the number of kits distributed growing from 250 kits in 2021 to 2,000 kits in 2022, and 3,501 kits in 2023. This year, CKP estimates that 4,250 kits will be funded and sent to children across the East Coast.
Since its founding in 2021, CKP has partnered with Housing Families to distribute almost 500 Kindness Kits to kids in our shelter programs and other youth experiencing housing insecurity—the kits include a variety of mini Legos, Play-Doh, slime, crayons, coloring books, and/or more. In addition, we have worked with CPK to distribute essentials kits—which contain hygiene supplies, gift certificates, and more. Thanks to our mutual supporters like the Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation and StonehamBank, 385 kindness and 70 essential kits have been donated to children in our shelters and programs experiencing housing insecurity and poverty. Looking forward, Housing Families will soon be receiving 50-75 additional kindness kits that will be sent to children in need.
We are grateful for the support provided by our donors and by Connor’s Kindness Project. We invite you to join us in the ongoing effort to serve children in Massachusetts. By visiting the link below, you can contribute to our mission to mitigate the effects of housing insecurity by selecting from a list of toys to donate to children in shelters this winter during the holidays.
You can also support Connor’s Kindness Project here.
Additionally, we are excited to announce that Connor will be sharing his inspiring journey and the impact of CPK at the upcoming fall session of our Youth Service and Engagement Program (YSEP). His story is a testament to the power of youth-led initiatives and the difference a collective effort can make. Together, we can ensure that every child receives the comfort and care they deserve.