Room to Grow

My niece is in a shelter with her son I don't know how it feels I've been in shelters but by myself.
WellLife Network paitaint that am bipolar I can't say much to her I don't want to get her down the part is there taking care of her. And the baby.

Room to Grow fulfills its mission of supporting families with all of the necessities to help their child grow and develop by giving out only the highest quality items and their staff truly cares about each and every family that they work with. Having worked with them for the past six years, I believe they are a first in class organization.

Room to Grow is a great organization and everyone there is passionate about what they do.

Room to Grow is an excellent organization that has smart, innovative leadership focused on improving the lives of children and their mothers. The group cares deeply about ensuring their program has the longest lasting impact on the families they serve and achieves the strongest outcomes. They are great to partner with and constantly identify opportunities for visibility, engagement and thought leadership.

Room to Grow has been a grantee of my company for many years. They continue to develop new and unique ways to grow their programs in the community and we proud to have them as a partner!

Room to Grow is an incredible organization! Wonderful resource for families.

I had the pleasure of working with the staff at the Boston office to prepare for a corporate volunteer day through my employer. I was immediately impressed with the dedication of the Room to Grow staff and how hard they work in creating welcoming and supportive environment for their clients. The 40 associates who volunteered with us had a very productive day, and all were moved by the experience of helping Room to Grow meet the needs of the families they serve daily. It is truly an impressive organization.

This is such an amazing organization! The work done here is truly inspirational!

This is a wonderful organization that I have been lucky enough to volunteer with for the last year. Their New York office is incredibly friendly, well organized and peaceful. The Room to Grow clients are treated respectfully and equally and the high level of donations has them leaving with supplies for their baby that they can take pride in. The private sessions with RTG's amazing social workers offers crucial support for parent and baby too. This is an inspiring nonprofit to be involved with!!!

Room to Grow is an amazing nonprofit. It helps underserved families by giving them both parenting support and all the necessities--clothing, books, developmental toys, feeding supplies--for their babies. Room to Grow is making a world of difference in the lives of their clients. Volunteering at this organization is a joy because the staff are so passionate about the mission.

Room To Grow is a well run organization serving a fantastic cause providing young children in poverty with a variety of necessities. I highly support the organization and I'm happy I was able to assist with the cause!

Room to Grow is an absolutely amazing organization. The entire team is extremely passionate about assisting babies born into poverty by providing their families with the support needed to ensure healthy development and progress during their first three years. Second Chance Toys has worked closely with Room to Grow through our toy donation opportunities and events and we have seen firsthand the passion behind the mission.

I feel in love with this organization as soon as I heard about it. It has a real impact and measurable results which you often don't find.

I came to know Room to Grow through my employer. We have worked with Room to Grow for years and have seen firsthand the extraordinary work the organization does. The organization makes the most out of each dollar donated and the staff is incredibly skilled and committed.

I've been volunteering at Room to Grow for 7 years and it is a wonderful organization. The space itself is colorful and clean, making it very welcoming to the clients who arrive with their children. I've mainly worked with Naomi, who does a great job welcoming the volunteers, explaining the activity we'll be helping with, and answering questions from the volunteers throughout the project. The other staff members I've met have also been extremely friendly, welcoming, and appreciative of the volunteers. By the end of the project, the volunteers feel as though they've truly made a difference and so many return to volunteer each month. I'm looking forward to volunteering with Room to Grow for many years to come!

I first came across Room to Grow when I was looking for a children’s charity to donate baby items to. I was delighted to find out that the company that I work for has an ongoing Corporate volunteering relationship with the organization. After doing some research and taking part in my first monthly volunteer session, I realized that this was a charity that I wanted to become more involved in. I was very impressed with the work the organization does. What sets Room to Grow apart from the vast majority of children’s charities is the fact that it’s so much more than just giving away “stuff”. Room to Grow and its staff cares deeply about the families that participates in its programs. The social workers at Room to Grow develop strong relationships with the families that are built on trust and mutual respect. The families receive customized educational and social support for the first three years of their child’s life, paving the way for a brighter forward looking future.

Room to Grow’s impact extends far beyond the immediate families that it works with, it is an integral part of the community and I am so happy and proud to be affiliated with such an organization.

Room to grow has made such an impact in my life. It has helped me to care for my child in more ways than one. From the clothes and toys he receives every visit to the mentoring and educating on his development. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful program.

Room to Grow is a very special organization with an extremely noble cause that is changing the lives of babies and young families faced with very challenging circumstances every single day.

With a dedicated focus on providing educational and social support as well as essential gear and supplies to babies living in poverty through their first three years of development, along with their outstanding staff and leadership, Room to Grow gives babies and families in great need a fighting chance to thrive.

The families who participate in this program face intense struggles every single day yet remain extremely optimistic and strong through it all thanks to the wonderful support of Room to Grow...all reasons why I am extremely proud and fortunate to be affiliated with Room to Grow.

Our school was looking to partner with an organization that was directly influencing the lives of women and children, and Room to Grow was a perfect fit. They worked with our middle school girls and taught them how a difference can be made on a local level in their city by seeing a need and filling it. The people who work at Room to Grow are incredibly dedicated to their work and want to spread their belief in helping others, and I know they have made a difference in the lives of the girls I teach and in how they view their role in society. I couldn't ask for more in a partnership like this.

I interned with Room to Grow this last summer, and it was one of the greatest experiences I have had with a nonprofit. The women that work at Room to Grow are impassioned and knowledgeable about their field. It is also an incredibly organized nonprofit that serves an important clientele of the New York City area. Each visit parents are provided with a meeting with a social worker, clothing for a week (including coats, shoes, costumes for Halloween), toys, and books for the child and parents. This organization focuses on the first three years of a child's development, which current studies are demonstrating are incredibly vital for ensuring a child does not start kindergarten behind his or her classmates.

For potential donors - it is one of the easiest places to donate with free curbside pick-up or a paid pick-up and delivery service. They provide an inclusive list of what they do or do not accept on their website, and they are always available by phone to ask about other items.

For potential volunteers - the work you do is important for the nonprofit. Sorting through donations and organizing toys and books, there is never a wasted moment of your time. Naomi, who is the Volunteer Coordinator, is not only a sweet and welcoming person, but she also incredibly organized and plans for your time to be spent wisely.

This is an incredible nonprofit filled with and run by inspiring women that are determined to make a change and better the lives of parents in their community.

We have baby gear that is never used, only photographed, due to our editorial work at Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. We love sending it to Room to Grow, where we know it will get into the hands of just-right families. It's important to us that the organization educates families about why they need certain gear and how to use it correctly. And because the families of Room to Grow are "in the zone," so to speak, we can feel reassured that our donations are going to be used quickly by people who truly need it. Plus, the Room to Grow staff never fails to show their appreciation. :)

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we are honored to serve the communities of Massachusetts and are ever mindful of our duty to wisely invest the resources entrusted to us—time, talent, as well as financial. We demonstrate our values and pledge to be a thoughtful and effective corporate citizen through partnerships with community-based organizations that share our commitment to promote good health and economic opportunity, particularly for our most vulnerable populations.

We understand that resources and opportunities are in short supply for those living in poverty. This reality can have detrimental effects on families, specifically a child’s ability to develop, learn and lead as a healthy and engaged young person. That is why we are proud to be long-standing partners with Room to Grow. This well-run organization tackles this issue directly and makes a difference in the lives of children born into poverty every day.

Over the course of our six year partnership, hundreds of our associates have witnessed first-hand through a variety of volunteer opportunities, the level of effectiveness the Room to Grow program provides. Their model supports families during the critical first three years of a child’s life with counseling, guidance and material resources. This successful approach supports scientific research about the critical importance of overall human development during the early stages of life.

We are proud to champion their great work. I am also honored to be personally committed to the organization as a Boston Advisory Board Member, and for the past year, the Board Chair.

Respectfully submitted, Jeff Bellows

Unlike some other charities for babies and children who provide material goods, Room to Grow's work contains a critical component; one on one social work services for the first 3 years of life. Parents are accepted into the program during pregnancy and sign a contract to attend sessions until their child's first birthday. in addition to critical baby equipment and clothing, toys and books are given to the parent and child at each appointment which are age and develpmentally appropriate. one on one sessions include discussion of safe sleep, safe home, developmental milestones, play, and help with securing a job or preschool if appropriate.
the atmosphere in the Boston center, of which i am familiar, is warm and inviting. the staff is deeply passionate about their work, and the administration is thoughful and deliberate with their budget.

I have been volunteering for a few months and it has been a very rewarding experience. The staff are all very enthusiastic, personable and positive. The space is warm, clean and inviting. Their mission is an important one and I feel honored to be able to contribute to it. I would highly recommend anyone interested in volunteering to spend their time at this well run organization.

I lead a monthly volunteer project at Room to Grow helping manage the donations they receive. The staff is friendly, smart, and dedicated. The space is warm and welcoming. They provide much needed services to their targeted demographic -- in a respectful, encouraging way. The families lucky enough to work with Room to Grow from before their child's birth through around their 3rd birthday -- and who commit to the experience -- are sure to be set on a path for success in their child's life from 3 years on. I love being even a peripheral part of the life-transforming work they do!

I have been volunteering with Room to Grow for over 5 years and think very highly of the organization. The staff work tirelessly to have a positive impact on the lives of their clients, it's very inspiring. The clients greatly benefit from the program and receive special personalized care from the everyone at Room to Grow. The donors are extremely generous, mainly because they know how devoted the organization is to carrying out Room to Grow's mission. I feel very fortunate to be involved in this great cause!

I have been volunteering regularly for Room to Grow in New York for about 1.5 years, and it has been an incredible experience. Their space feels warm and inviting, and they have such a friendly, hardworking, and appreciative staff. I love how volunteers aren't relegated to a back room or pushed off to the side, but instead work in the main area and can see the direct impact that the organization has on the families it helps. It warms my heart every time I see a little boy or girl choose a new toy, or observe doting new parents carefully choose items for their babies, knowing that these families would otherwise struggle to obtain these things or the guidance they need if it weren't for the work of this wonderful organization.

My experiences volunteering with Room to Grow have led me to be involved with the organization in other capacities, including attending their most recent Spring Gala and joining the committee for their next fundraiser. I expect to support Room to Grow for a long time to come.

I have been involved with Room to Grow for 2 years now and each time I go to their office I fall in love over and over. Their mission is so important and they have made a tremendous impact in the community. Their staff, volunteers and community partners are the most dedicated, charismatic and personable group of people I have ever met. Room to Grow needs more support in order to reach more children and expand to other cities.

I have been involved with Room to Grow on different levels for a little over 3 years. Coming from a background that is comparative to the beneficiaries of Room to Grow, I feel a strong desire to want to give back and help others in this type of situation. I know the importance of receiving aid as well as support and guidance from others, such as the team at Room to Grow. I am continually impressed by the men and woman who come through this organization. When you hear a parent stand in front of a room of 300+ people, confidently tell his or her story and experience and how much better they are and therefor their children's lives are, because of Room to Grow, its amazing, moving, inspiring and incredibly emotional all at the same time. I look forward to a long relationship with this organization, watching the continued good they do, watching the families, and the children thrive as a result of their involvement, watching more families benefit from this, and over time hopefully watching poverty levels decline because organizations like Room to Grow are able to give these men and woman the tools needed to move beyond the situations they come to Room to Grow from, and the ability to help guide and educate their own children in making good choices for their futures as well.

I've been volunteering with Room to Grow on and off since they opened in Boston in 2004. I was drawn to the agency because it has such a great mission. They not only help children born into poverty by providing them with all of their material needs such as clothes, toys and personal hygiene items, but they also provide a safe place for the parents to come and talk about being a parent and all that entails. It's a holistic view that really helps families succeed. I keep coming to volunteer every week because of the professional, fun and friendly staff who always make me feel welcome and appreciated, and because I feel that my volunteer time truly helps them continue their mission.

Room to Grow in Boston makes it extremely easy for me to donate my daughter's lightly used clothing, books and baby gear (some items she never touched). I can either deliver the items curbside, or drop them off at Isis Parenting, a local parenting store and class center. What I most appreciate about Room to Grow is that my donations are going to families in need who made a commitment to work on their parenting and life skills in a three year program, so they are better prepared to raise a happy and healthy child.

I began volunteering for Room to Grow after attending their 2011 Boston gala. I was so impressed with their mission, the work that they do, and the difference they make in their clients' lives. I have three young children and life is so hectic, but being a part of this organization is so important to me that it is worth the juggling and shuffling to be able to volunteer.

I first started working with Room to Grow about 7 years ago after attending a small breakfast at their site on 20th Street in New York City. My friend and I then decided to host their annual Holiday party as a way to support the organization and engage with the clients of Room to Grow in a personal way. From that first experience with Room to Grow, my relationship with the organization continued to evolve. There are many ways to become involved and really make a difference. I was thrilled to be able to volunteer in other capacities and help support babies born into poverty in New York City and Boston. It's the only organization that I know that supports early childhood development through providing not only in-kind items to the child but also offers a customized support for each family through one-on-one appointments with incredibly talented social workers. This organization is extremely approachable from a donor perspective and most importantly, the majority of their funding is spent on program support directly benefitting the families that they serve. That percentage is impressive because most non-profits only spend 65-75% of their budget on program support.

I have been involved with Room to Grow for more than 7 years and continue to be impressed. The organization's thoughtful, committed management leverages resources well to best serve Room to Grow's clients. Their mission, to improve the lives of babies born into poverty, is most compelling. Their combination of providing clients both physical items for their children (books, clothing, toys) as well as one-on-one parent counseling is most effective

A Room To Grow has been a tremendous resource to the populations that I have also served over the years. This organization fills a critical gap in services when working with low income women and girls who do not have the support, education, or access to resources that they need to prepare them for parenthood. The structure of the support they provide along with the expectations they have of their clients not only equips clients with much needed additional resources but also empowers them to make informed decisions as parents.

I came to Room to Grow over the summer to volunteer. The moment you step into Room to Grow, you really don't know what to say, how can a place like this provide so much for families in need. There so much support and love that is being given to others. Families come in with their kids, only hoping for the best of their kids. As they leave, they not only carry a big smile but they also carried along what they needed, the love, the support, and the things they need to grow as a family. If you stay for long, you'll see, Room to Grow, is a home for everyone. A home that kids can run in, can be free from pressure, and a place for support.

I came across Room to Grow as a place to volunteer and will never regret giving my service here. They do wonderful jobs to keep babies and children from being deprived of necessities and even more wonderful that they give their all to support families. They provide clothes, books, toys, and other essential items to help babies develop, especially in their most crucial stage of growing up. Also, everyone was generous and I did not once ever felt pressured or as if I was unwanted. Together, we got through a lot of work no matter how arduous it was.

I volunteered with Room to Grow and it was a wonderful experience. This organization is great because it has changed many families' lives. They provide them with food, toys, and other necessities for babies through donations. As a volunteer, i felt inspired by the staff who were very nice and treated me with such respect. Room to Grow is a great place with a fantastic cause and one of the best places to volunteer.

My wife has been a volunteer with Room to Grow since the founding of the Boston office and we have also supported the organization financially. The services provided by Room to Grow truly make an impact on the clients the organization serves. Although the organization has grown over the years the thing that strikes me is that one still feels that whatever contribution one makes, be it financial, goods, or volunteering time, is truly valued by the organization. It is for these reasons that we continue to support the organization.

I was introduced to Room to Grow right after having a baby of my own in 2004. I spent some time occasionally volunteering in their Boston office. The first few years of motherhood were a challenge for me. The more I learned about their program and experienced motherhood myself, the more I understood the importance of Room to Grow's work. Here I was an educated, healthy young woman with a supportive husband, family and a stable financial situation and it was still hard! I could not even imagine what it would be like if I was trying to finish my education, if I was a single parent, if my family did not live close by, if I was struggling to make ends meet. What if I had to worry about all those things on top of my child's development, health and care? Room to Grow provides the support that parents need so they can focus positive energy back to their children and give them the strong start that every baby deserves! My role at the organization has grown every year and I continue to feel committed about their work.

I started volunteering with Room to Grow Boston at the end of 2011 and fell in love with their mission, their staff, and their desire to help low income families. I've established a great working relationship with Carrie as I am often the lead on a volunteer opportunity and she is wonderful to work with. I love Room to Grow so much that I've taken the opportunity to get further involved within the organization and now working alongside Mechilia and a group of volunteers to brainstorm ideas for fundraising. I've always had a soft spot for babies and truly believe that all children deserve the opportunity to grow up with necessities such as clothes, books, toys, and guidance. They should not be neglected because of their families' economic hardships. I speak very highly of Room to Grow at every opportunity I get. I truly believe they deserve to be on 2012 Top Rated Nonprofits.

I became involved in Room to Grow after having my first child. I was lucky to have many resources at my disposal but still felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities of raising a child. I was also struck by how much "stuff" we had. Too much. It made me more aware of how others might benefit more by receiving it. RTG's intensive three year program also gives targeted and individualized support during a critical time in a baby's life. I have met a number of the clients in the program and am inspired by their strength and fortitude.

Room to Grow's intensive three-year program provides one-on-one parenting support and material goods to help families raising babies in poverty to create a brighter future for their children.

I am a strong supporter of Room to Grow as it focuses on impacting the first three years of a child's life, which are very critical years in order to thrive in school and beyond. The counseling provided to the child's parent(s) every 3 months, by a licensed social worker at Room To Grow's amazing Boston location is hugely impactful. The baby goods, books and clothing provided at each visit reduce the stress of providing for a child. The coupling of counseling with material goods differentiates Room to Grow and is the source of its success. They will see almost 350 babies and their parents this year. I get a great deal of satisfaction from supporting Room To Grow's mission.