Saskia Epstein
Executive Director

Taneisha had endless questions on her first visit to Room to Grow. Pregnant with her third child, Taneisha didn't want her daughter to endure the same difficult experiences as her first two children did. Four years after her children were removed from her custody by The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Taneisha was referred to Room to Grow because she was determined to become a better parent to all of her children and needed the support and resources of Room to Grow's comprehensive program. Taneisha knew that Room to Grow would  better equip her to care and provide for her daughter Stephanie and help her to reclaim her parenting role with her two other children.

Since her last trimester of pregnancy, Taneisha has visited with her social worker Rebecca every three months to talk about Stephanie's development and ways to make positive changes in her own life and living situation. Her first priority was to find a safer living environment, more suitable for a baby. With lots of effort Taneisha was able to move to a new home in a better neighborhood  She then enrolled in cosmetology school  to be able to provide for her family while doing something she loved. Taneisha was also determined to reunite her family and  advocated for greater visitation rights with her older children.  The children now have a much stronger relationship with their mother and are excited to have a baby sister in their lives. DCF has closed Taneisha's case, and since the two older siblings live nearby with their grandmother, they visit regularly with their mom and sister. Taneisha's newfound ability to better care and provide for her children is helping her to mitigate some of the negative effects of her family's past instability.

Today Taneisha is also the happy mother of a beautiful 18-month-old curious toddler who is running, climbing, talking and singing. Stephanie goes to daycare near Taneisha's cosmetology school. Taneisha's days are long, leaving the house with Stephanie as early as 6:30 a.m., so she can get to school on time, and sometimes not returning until after 6 p.m.  Yet, Taneisha is proud of her small victories, confident and happy with the choices she is making for herself and her children. Taneisha says she loves her time at Room to Grow, because it is a safe place to talk about her baby's growth and progress, and that Room to Grow has helped her achieve personal accomplishments as a parent to all three of her children.

June 24 I 2010
Fashion Forward
The Liberty Hotel
Local celebrities and fashionable Bostonians walked the runway at the Liberty Hotel for Fashion Forward on June 24, to benefit Room to Grow. Close to 200 guests enjoyed the show with fashions supplied by local designer Jeff Lehan and Macy's. Strutting their stuff for a good cause were WHDH reporter Michelle Releford, Loren and Wally's Brian Bell, Morning Magic's Amanda Giles, Restaurateurs Christopher Myers and Dante DeMagistris, Designer Daniela Corte, Foundation to be Named Later's Paul Epstein, Stuff Magazine's Michael Diskin, Boston Common's Janice O'Leary, Boldfacers' Lisa Pierpont, Fashion Boston's Alexandra Hall and the Boston Globe's Meredith Goldstein.  Fashion Forward was sponsored by Blooms of Hope, Fashion Boston, Finer Threads, Leon & Co., St-Germain and generously hosted by the Liberty Hotel.

Click here to view photos.  A special thanks to Room to Grow development committee members Robin Falzone, Susan Hassett and supporter Stephanie Spector who dazzled us on the runway. 

As the organization grows, we remain indebted to the individual supporters and small businesses that are helping to raise awareness and needed resources for Room to Grow.  During this past spring and over the summer, we were fortunate to be the beneficiary of many wonderful events, campaigns and collections. We cheered on two marathon runners, Rob Bradford, and Paul Epstein, with bibs gifted through the John Hancock charity program.  We grew our online presence with xtra xtra using social media and web advertising.  Stel's, a stylish boutique on Newbury Street hosted a weekend shopping fundraiser. The Galerie D'orsay included Room to Grow as a beneficiary of their 10th Anniversary Exhibition with internationally renowned painter Bruno Zupan. In May we celebrated Mother's Day at the Four Seasons and enjoyed hearing reflections about motherhood from local author and comedian Beth Teitell.  Finally, we welcomed a new permanent collection site at nearby kiwi baby in the South End.  We look forward to continuing to partner with individuals, business and community groups who are interested in supporting Room to Grow.  To learn more about how you can host a benefit event for Room to Grow, email Melissa Martinez at infoboston@roomtogrow.org.

Please join Room to Grow on your bike for 25, 50 or 100 miles to help enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their first three years of development. There are opportunities to support Team Room to Grow by riding, sponsoring  the event, or pledging to support a rider. Riders must raise $1,000. 100% of all donations raised by Room to Grow through the ride will support our program, plus the Rodman Ride for Kids will match the total by 10%. Click here for more information, to sign up for the ride or to make a donation to the team. Click here for details about sponsorships.

Join us and our chair, former Chronicle anchor Mary Richardson, to celebrate Room to Grow's fifth year of building a strong foundation for babies in poverty in Boston. The evening will feature an inspirational program honoring a Room to Grow family and supporters who have helped build the organization during its first years. Honorees include The Boston Globe, Dorel Juvenile Group. Isis Parenting and Anngret Sacerdote, Room to Grow's founding development committee chair. Guests will enjoy wonderful chef tastings and a silent and live auction. Past auction highlights included a walk-on movie role, a VIP experience at Fenway Park, an opportunity to be a ball boy/girl at a Celtics game and front row tickets to the US Tennis Open. Click here to view sponsorship opportunities or read more about this event.

Update your contact information to receive invitations to upcoming events.