Thursday, April 24, 2025
Boston University’s Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH) was featured in a recent news story for its partnership with the Amal Alliance. CISWH is the lead evaluator of Colori Playspace Express, a trauma-informed mobile classroom that supports the emotional well-being and development of young immigrant children experiencing homelessness across Massachusetts. CISWH will share evaluation results later this year.
On MassLive, Danielle de la Fuente, executive director of the Amal Alliance, shared how the project fosters stability and resilience among the children participating in the program.
Excerpt from “More than 600 homeless children have boarded this eye-catching bus. Here’s why it matters” originally posted on MassLive:
The brightly painted bus, known as the Colori Project, brings early childhood education directly to children living in Massachusetts’ emergency shelters. Since its launch, the bus has reached more than 600 children, offering play-based learning focused on social-emotional growth. Each session incorporates mindfulness, storytelling, and expressive activities designed to help children process trauma and build foundational skills. Amal Alliance leads the project in collaboration with Horizons for Homeless Children and Neighborhood Villages, working alongside the Healey-Driscoll administration to bring critical developmental resources to families in crisis.