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Westborough News
By Sarah Menesale/ News Staff Writer
Friday, September 29, 2006 - Updated: 01:40 PM EST
Driving in his car last year with the radio on for background noise, an advertisement caught Rob Glaser’s attention. It promoted the chance to volunteer for Horizons for Homeless Children as a playspace activity leader.
The Westborough High senior’s ears perked up at the opportunity to help young children living at a shelter.
When he called to sign up for training, he hit a snag. Volunteers need to be 18 years old to volunteer alone, and 16 and older if accompanied by an adult. Rather than let the opportunity to volunteer pass, he asked his mother, Anna, to join him.
"I said, mom, you have two hours a week," said Rob.
The timing worked out great because once committed, the Glasers wanted to start as soon as possible.
"I think Rob called on a Wednesday and the training was that Saturday in Springfield," said Anna, a preschool teacher at the Westboro Area Jewish Community Center.
The Westborough residents now volunteer at the Haven Shelter in the MetroWest area. They volunteer for two hours a week and started right after the holidays last year. Volunteers must commit for six months, but the Glasers have passed that mark and will continue until Rob leaves for college next summer.
"My younger son expressed interest in taking his place," said Anna. "It’s hard to leave once you start too."
At the Haven Shelter, and others like it in the state, Horizons for Homeless Children employees set up a Playspace Program. The play space is a small room with an overhead fan painted rainbow colors, bookshelves of children’s books, a desk and a play kitchen.
The activity closet is where the real fun hides.
So when the Glasers knock on the door to the shelter on Thursdays, the kids come running.
"The kids get so excited when we come," Anna said.
Pulling out crafts, books and games from the activity closet, the Glasers bunker down to play.
"I guess I feel like I can make a difference, even though it’s only two hours a week," said Rob, who believes the shelter will be good experience if he decides to pursue a career as a elementary school guidance counselor.
There are six families currently living at the Haven Shelter and a half dozen children who crave playtime. The most children the Glasers have supervised at a time is nine.
Although each family living at the shelter can only stay there a few months, the Glasers come to know them and connect with the children.
"You miss the people when they leave. The kids get so attached to you," said Anna.
As if on cue, she says to a little girl, "Hey, I missed you last week."
"You’re doing a great job there," says Rob to a young boy working on a craft project with Popsicle sticks, glue and glitter.
Not only is volunteering at the shelter a time to bond with the children living there, it’s also a bonding experience for the Glasers.
"It’s nice because I get to do it with him and we get to spend time together," said Anna.
Rob’s mother was also happily surprised at his expertise working with children.
"He has so much understanding and patience," she said.
The mission of Horizons for Homeless Children is to improve the lives of homeless children and their families. Since 1990, Horizons for Homeless Children has been offering homeless children opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. With more than 20,000 Massachusetts children experiencing homelessness each year, with half under the age of 5, the need is great.
To date, Horizons for Homeless Children has trained more than 6,500 members of the community to become play space activity leaders.
The idea of volunteering on a regular basis appealed to Rob after working at WJCC summer camps during school vacations.
"When I heard the ad I thought it would be something fun to try. I’ve never done something like this before," said the cross country and track athlete.
Rob finds volunteering rewarding. "I wanted to do something somewhere where I could be really helpful," he said.
"I like just coming every week and playing with the kids, especially when there’s a lot of kids," he added.
His mother agreed.
"It’s hectic. They keep you busy," she said.
Keeping the kids entertained, albeit only two hours in the entire week, is a load off the mothers’ shoulders. They use the time to attend meetings at the shelter or deal with other responsibilities, explained Jamie Pear, Horizons for Homeless Children’s Playspace Programs director, Central Region.
"We’re giving the moms a break," said Rob. "You really feel good when you leave here, you really feel like you helped."
His mother agreed.
"The moms are busy trying to get their lives together, so for these two hours the children get our individual attention," she said.
Because the shelter is only for women and their children, Rob is often a role model for some of the children, his mother said.
"It’s nice for these kids to spend time with males. Some of the older kids need someone to talk to," said Anna.
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