EnrichEd is a therapeutic after–school program that serves low-income youth, most of whom have experienced homelessness and have a history of complex trauma. The EnrichEd team strives to provide a safe and inclusive environment that fosters students’ abilities to engage in individual or group tutoring, individual or group counseling, and enrichment clubs. In collaboration with the youth and their support networks, EnrichEd utilizes a strength based, culturally humble, and trauma informed approached to assess the needs of each individual, develop an individualized schedule, and identify client centered goals to increase social emotional skills.
EnrichEd Services
Each student has an individualized weekly schedule of tutoring and therapeutic activities that meet their specific academic and social-emotional needs. During daily after-school programming, staff and trained volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups with children to work on homework or play engaging academic games.
Youth can sign up for after school programming through our annual application. Families who work with other programs in the agency will receive information from their case managers. Youth in the community can reach out to our program manager for more information on enrollment.
EnrichEd staff help families navigate the school system and receive the accommodation and support they need to be successful. In collaboration with the youth, their caregivers, and other members of their support network, the Academic Coordinator will assist families by meeting with them to understand their current needs, identify accommodations or services that may be useful, and provide support by attending school meetings.
School vacation camps are run during the February and April break weeks of most Massachusetts Public Schools. During these weeks, students who are enrolled in the after-school program engage in enrichment activities. Oftentimes, the program leans on their partner agencies to facilitate off-site field trips for the students. Youth have enjoyed field trips to Nature Linc, Museum of Science, Stoneham Zoo, Breakheart, etc.
In partnership with School Districts North of the city of Boston, EnrichEd collaborates with the McKinney Vento Liaisons to provide a 10-week long weekend program to youth who are currently experiencing homelessness. Through a culturally humble and trauma informed lens, the team provides academic support and enrichment programming.
Saturday School
In partnership with Malden Public Schools, Housing Families will facilitate a 10-week Saturday School program that will run from 2/24-4/27 at Cross St with youth in first-sixth grade. This program will support youth that attend Malden Public Schools who are currently unhoused from 9am-12:30pm.
Extended Day Saturday School
Again in partnership with Malden Public Schools, Housing Families will support the 11-school aged youth, who attend MPS, that live at the Econo Lodge. This program will be able to take youth out of the hotel and focus on community learning experiences and field trips. This program will also run for 10 consecutive weeks from 2/24-4/27 from 12:30pm-4pm.
Sunday School
In partnership with Peabody Public Schools, Housing Families will support 30, 6th-12th grade students that live in the Holiday Inn in Peabody, MA. This program will take place at the Holiday Inn in one of their four conference rooms/ballroom and with the use of the program vans will be facilitating field trips weekly. This program will run for 10 consecutive weeks from 2/25-4/28 from 11am-2:30pm.
EnrichEd provides transportation both to and from programming, picking students up from school and dropping them off at home afterwards. Transportation is a major barrier to access for many families for Out-of-School time, so we provide pick-up and drop-off vans ourselves, instead of asking youth to rely on public transportation or asking caregivers to try to arrange transportation.
Our students utilize their strengths and support from staff to develop skills related to frustration tolerance, self-regulation, emotion identification, and executive functioning to further their academic, social, and emotional growth. Our kids are encouraged to show up as their authentic self, strive for their dreams, and HAVE FUN!
Elizabeth Kia, LICSW
Clinical Director