Background Information 

Early Origins
This unique annual exhibit dates back to 1989 when it was literally a small display of artwork by the young children at the Knight Children’s Center in Jamaica Plain. Encouraged by our supporters, The Home developed the project into a gala donor appreciation event and moved it to a downtown location. Voices & Visions is now The Home’s signature event, attracting a growing number of corporate and individual sponsors and regularly raising over $1 million to support The Home’s programs. 

Event Format and Program
The event begins with a cocktail reception, a silent auction, and an opportunity to view the children’s Art Exhibit. Guests are encouraged to provide comments in the books alongside each work; these comments are treasured by the children and serve to build their self-esteem. A dinner and program follow. The evening concludes with an awards presentation to an individual or group for their philanthropic commitment. In 2010, The Home is honoring Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for his longtime friendship and commitment to the work of The Home.

Event Theme
Each year’s event has a specific theme, reflecting a yearlong creative arts curriculum at The Home’s special education schools. Art education is used as a means to encourage the children’s artistic and personal expression and to foster their intellectual and therapeutic progress. This year’s theme is “Outer Space and Beyond.” Other themes have included “Landscapes of Massachusetts,” which showcased children’s imaginative and unique perspectives on everything from the Mayor of Boston to Boston Cream Pie; and “Without a Face” - all about emotions and the many ways in which we use our faces to express ourselves. Through portraits, poems, 3-D pieces of artwork and stories, the children find myriad ways to share their voices and visions.

The Voices for Children Committee
Each year, The Home works with a committee of dedicated volunteers who agree to sponsor the event, encourage other sponsors, and help fill the room with friends old and new to support our vital work with children in need. Members of the Voices for Children Committee are crucial to The Home’s success in building the sponsor base and annual tradition of this special event by setting a leadership example and adding a personal touch to The Home’s own publicity and outreach efforts.

How does Voices & Visions help?
The incredible generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations throughout New England has enabled us to provide many additional services for our children that otherwise would be financially impossible. Some examples of how we have used the proceeds of Voices & Visions include: expanding the arts program at our special education schools, implementing a health and wellness initiative, increasing vocational education programs and providing children with summer recreational activities.

Title Sponsors