Children’s Services of Roxbury is one of the largest Black-led nonprofits in Massachusetts, annually serving more than 6,500 children and families across the state, 5,000 in Boston. Our mission is to bring peace of mind to children, young adults, and families, supporting and strengthening them on their journey from poverty to stability to wealth-building. Over its 50-year history, CSR has grown in response to community need, providing services to address family health and well-being, facilitate growth for young people, and strengthen the surrounding community.
Knowing that transformative change will only come with sustained investment and institution-building in communities of color, CSR purchased its 57,000 square foot Roxbury headquarters in 2021, creating a permanent stake in the ground in the heart of Boston’s Black community. Guided by community voice, CSR completed architectural plans to transform the building into a community centerpiece with space to grow its wraparound service for youth and families in crisis, add Boston Pre-K classrooms, and create a dedicated teen and young adult space for leadership development, healing, and economic mobility. This growth will add over 170 career-oriented jobs to the local economy, primarily in Roxbury, and in Worcester and Springfield, reflecting a 25% growth in CSR employees, 96% of whom identify as people of color.
In 2022, CSR launched its campaign to raise $19 Million in public and private revenue needed to complete the $40 Million renovation. We begin 2025 with nearly $8M raised through significant funding from Liberty Mutual Foundation, Eastern Bank Foundation, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Lynch Foundation, Congressionally directed spending, State Economic Development bills, MASS Development, and individual philanthropists.
The Front Porch is a barrier-free resource for families in crisis. Through early intervention and support for parents, The Front Porch offers vulnerable families a Family Partner—a trained parent/peer who helps parents navigate systems, access resources, and learn the skills of self-advocacy while sharing their own life experiences. The renovation will provide a healing, family-friendly environment, and confidential family meeting rooms overlooking a play space for children designed in partnership with the Boston Children’s Museum. The Front Porch will also welcome homeless young adults and teens who have aged out of foster care. Young adults will be offered a Therapeutic Peer Mentor for personal support and coaching on life skills and access to resources such as jobs, health care, and housing. The Front Porch will serve at least 400 parents and youth annually.
Partnering with Boston Public Schools (BPS), CSR will expand our childcare center, adding prekindergarten classrooms designed specifically to support our city’s highest needs children. CSR’s culturally attuned clinical supports combined with the BPS curriculum and teacher training and classroom resources, will socially and academically prepare children to successfully enter kindergarten. The childcare center’s expansion will serve an additional 39 children per year, and will raise the center’s Quality Rating from Level 2 to Level 3 (out of 4), reflecting the upgraded quality of the facility for all 132 childnren in the center.
The LaunchPad is a technology-embedded makerspace of studios that foster exploration, experimentation, and creativity, providing young people with access to internships, higher education, and jobs. The LaunchPad builds on CSR’s history of operating youth resiliency and development programs that engage, educate, and embolden young people of color to be agents of change. Young people who come to CSR seeking services will discover a stronger community of belonging, adults who help them know their worth, and experiences that build character, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. The LaunchPad will serve at least 200 pre-teens, teens, and young adults annually.
State Economic Development Bill 2022
Community Project Funding (HUD/EDI)
Liberty Mutual Foundation
Eastern Bank Foundation
Boston Children’s Hospital
Digital Federal Credit Union
Lubin Family Foundation
Lynch Family Foundation
Individual Donations & Major Gifts
Life Science Cares
New Commonwealth Fund
PNC Foundation
RARE Conservation
Children’s Services of Roxbury is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our Tax ID number (EIN) is: 04-3082352. Please consider one of the following options for making your financial gift of pledge to CSR:
Online Giving – Donations can be made through our secure website using a credit or debit card or through a direct bank transfer. CSR uses Stripe to securely connect to banks for donations. Donate online now
Mail-in Contributions – Checks can be sent directly to CSR’s mailing address:
Children’s Services of Roxbury
Attn: Development Office
520 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
Matching Gifts – Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double your contribution. If CSR is not yet registered with your employer, please let us know.
Stock or Securities Donations – CSR accepts gifts of appreciated stock or other securities and can work with your financial institution to arrange transfers. CSR can provide our DTS and brokerage account information upon request.
Donor-Advised Funds – Contributions can be made through a donor-advised fund (DAF). CSR will receive notification directly from your financial institution. However, we recommend that you alert us to your pending gift, so that we keep a watchful eye on the transfer.
Contact Sue Marble Cuthbert, Children’s Services of Roxbury VP of Development with questions:
Join us in bringing this transformation to life.
