Mayor Menino confers Children’s Health award

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino hosts a breakfast and ceremony at City Hall this morning (Jan. 25), conferring the 2000 Award for Excellence in Children’s Health. The award honors The Horizons Initiative for the range of comprehensive services it offers at its Community Children’s Centers.

The $10,000 award, sponsored by the Harvard School of Public Health (SPH), Children’s Hospital, and the City of Boston, annually recognizes a local program that has demonstrated innovative and effective approaches to promoting the healthy development of children.

The Horizons Initiative distinguishes itself not only be meeting the developmental needs of homeless children, providing them with educational play, but also by improving their lives long-term – helping their parents gain self-sufficiency through on-site counseling, education, job training, and parenting workshops.

“Quality childcare and early education are important for children, but especially for children who have experienced the trauma of homelessness,” said Sue Heilman, executive director of The Horizons Initiative.

Also presenting remarks at the ceremony are Dean Barry R. Bloom of SPH and James Mandell, CEO, Children’s Hospital.