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On Friday, December 5, Executive Director Sue Heilman was one of forty women who were presented with a 2008 Women of Justice Award by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Sue was honored for her years of service to Horizons for Homeless Children and her dedicated and passionate leadership of the organization as it works to serve thousands of homeless children and families across the state.
Forty 2008 Women of Justice Honorees were recognized
at a special event on Friday, December 5.
Sue was featured in a recent issue of Lawyers Weekly:
Sue Heilman
Executive Director
Horizons for Homeless Children
Graduated: Wheaton College, Norton, MA
Outside/Community Activities
Member of the Department of Early Education and Care Advisory Team; Member of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Steering Committee on the Education of Homeless Children.
Why do you do what you do?
I have always had a strong commitment to making the world a better place, particularly for those who are not in as strong a position as others to reap the benefits of the "American dream." I believe that children, and the youngest ones in particular, should be our highest priority as a nation. They are the key to the future. We must provide them with all the tools necessary now to enable them to achieve successful futures.
At Horizons for Homeless Children, I am driven each day to provide high quality early education and care programs for young homeless children and support services for their parents, and by the knowledge that we are the only agency in the country providing such a wide range of services for this population. Our mission makes us unique. I enjoy educating and learning from others on ways to improve services for homeless children and families. I have hope that one day, because of stronger collaborations locally and across the nation, that the problem of child and family homelessness will be fixed once and for all.
What is your proudest achievement?
My proudest moments have taken place each time Horizons for Homeless Children has opened a new Community Children's Center (CCC) for homeless children and families in Boston. We currently have three CCC's serving 175 children each day and the development of each one has been as special as the one that came before.
I also have had a lot of pride when Horizons for Homeless Children's advocacy efforts at state and federal levels have resulted in positive outcomes for homeless children and families. Most recently, we played a significant role in a new state voucher policy that makes early education and care more accessible to homeless children and families.
Finally, there is no greater sense of pride than when I watch a child and his/her parent/s walk out of our doors, now thriving because of their immersion in our program, equipped with the tools to continue their lives as a self-sufficient family.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
I have, and continue to be challenged by an overwhelming lack of awareness of this ongoing and rapidly growing issue of child and family homelessness. I am horrified by the stark reality that there are over 100,000 homeless children across Massachusetts. Although Horizons for Homeless Children is serving several thousand of them and continues to grow to try and meet the need, the need in and of itself is growing every day. We are heavily dependent upon the collective efforts of the community to take action with us in our efforts to break the cycle of child and family homelessness, but we have a long way to go in building awareness of this often-deemed "invisible" issue.
Who is your role model and why?
When I think about my childhood and being brought up during the civil rights and women's movements, I was heavily influenced by the leadership and advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and Ms. Gloria Steinem. I was moved by their refusal to accept the status quo and to resist in the face of discrimination. They were both a major force in my upbringing and to this day drive my passion to be more involved in my community and advocate on behalf of those in need of services.
The biggest challenge facing women today:
I believe that the current most difficult challenge facing women today lies in their ability to "make it" financially. Given the current economic climate and the number of women who are trying to raise children, often on their own, many women are struggling to make ends meet financially. The cost of living continues to increase, particularly in the city of Boston; childcare is expensive; being a single mother and trying to make a living or pursue a career is a significant challenge for thousands of women in our community.
What would be your dream job (other than your current one)?
I really do believe I have found my dream job here at Horizons for Homeless Children, but if I were forced to think about it, I believe I would pursue something very different to this, perhaps something that would keep me outdoors most of the time, and where I could be more physically active. I might explore the idea of leading hiking or biking trips for those new to such activities.
What is the one thing that people don't know about you?
In the late sixties, when I was in high school at Kimberton Farms School in Pennsylvania, I had an opportunity to play ping-pong with Paul Newman! He was visiting his children during a Parents' Weekend and we were all involved in various activities and I got to play him one-on-one.
Have you achieved a work-life balance?
Do you think you ever will?
I am striving more as I get older to hit that perfect balance in terms of commitment to work and personal life. It is out of a motivation to live a healthier life in general and I believe that striking a happy medium between both will undoubtedly have a positive impact.
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