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Positive Childhood Experiences

A Gift Rooted in Decades of Commitment

Paul and Katie Buttenwieser have long been committed to FamilyAid’s mission. In 1988, the Buttenwiesers helped found the Family-to-Family Project with a group of their Cambridge friends, an innovative endeavor that began connecting donors directly with families in need. When the Family-to-Family Project merged with FamilyAid, that same spirit of generosity continued and grew into the Children’s Dream Fund—an enduring legacy that is already making a difference in the lives of homeless children.

 

The Science Behind the Fund: The HOPE Framework

The Children’s Dream Fund was inspired by the science of HOPE — Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, an evidence-based pediatric research model pioneered by Dr. Robert Sege, of the HOPE National Resource Center at Tufts Medical Center.

HOPE is based on a simple but powerful premise: that positive experiences can act as an antidote to childhood trauma, and that children who have overcome hardship are more likely to thrive if they have had opportunities to enjoy a range of positive experiences.

These can include nurturing relationships, a sense of belonging and the chance to engage in creative activities, sports and other pursuits that spark joy and imagination.

 

What the Children’s Dream Fund Makes Possible

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Buttenwiesers and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, the children we serve can access enrichment activities and opportunities that open doors and change lives.

Our Children’s Dream Fund makes it possible for us to offer children in our programs a range of joyful, formative experiences, including:

  • Arts, music and creative activities
  • Athletics and summer camps
  • Educational and cultural excursions
  • Recreational opportunities and more

The kind of opportunities that allow children—especially those who have experienced the trauma of homelessness—to discover and nurture their unique talents and interests, and to build a foundation for a lifetime of success and happiness.