Boston, MA Boston Medical Center’s The SPARK Center is a model childcare program offering comprehensive, integrated, state-of-the-art services for children and families whose lives are affected by medical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges.  The program serves Boston’s highest-risk children, infants through 5 year olds: those living with complicated medical conditions (including neuro-developmental challenges, failure to thrive and HIV/AIDS). A new group of fragile children, ‘very low birth weight’ babies who were born too early and too small, now attend SPARK, and need our specialized care and attention. Not surprisingly, most of the children at the SPARK Center live in poverty, with parents and caregivers who struggle daily to maintain the integrity of their families. Located in the heart of Boston’s urban community, The SPARK Center represents a unique and powerful collaboration between Boston Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine, the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care, and several additional state and federal funders.

IFMA Boston enjoys a very special relationship and collaboration with The SPARK Center.  Since the early 1990s, when Chapter leadership were introduced to the two remarkable women who conceived of and still run the program today, we were convinced that we had found a truly worthy cause, one where we could make a real difference. Throughout the last two decades, we have raised significant funds, held garden cleanups, assisted with facilities repairs, and gotten to know the staff and children.  Many of the Center’s first children admitted to the program have survived, thrived, and still maintain a relationship with The SPARK Center. This is a testament to the kindness, love, and support these children, now young adults, have received as a result of the staff, and partners like IFMA Boston whom they can count on.

You too can support The SPARK Center by attending the IFMA Boston Giving Thanks Giving Back Gala on Wednesday, November 14th at 5:30 PM.  All of the profits of the event and 100% of the silent auction and raffle go directly to Boston Medical Center and The SPARK Center.

Register at http://bit.ly/2ELTASI