Treehouse Foundation

06/19/2026

Today, as we observe Juneteenth, we're remembering a former Treehouse resident, Marcia.

She was quite ill this past Juneteenth. Although she would normally have taken an active role in the celebration, she just didn’t have the energy. But Marcia was still committed to showing up.

She decided to read "Juneteenth for Mazie" to a group of neighborhood children, parents, and older adults.

It only took a few minutes, but the impact was real: the story of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and finally delivered the news of freedom to more than 250,000 enslaved people—two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and two months after the Civil War ended.

We can still hear Marcia reading: “They worked hard to make a better life. They prayed and sang some more. And they marched for equal rights. They marched for a better tomorrow."

Those kids probably didn't know it then, but Marcia gave them a piece of history and hope they'd carry with them.

Today we encourage you to reflect on the weight of that history, celebrate the progress made toward justice and equality, and to participate as a loving, interconnected member of your community.

06/15/2026

This Pride Month, we're celebrating the three generations who make our community inclusive, vibrant, and connected.

🏳️‍🌈 The LGBTQ+ children who are overrepresented in foster care and deserve homes where they're seen and loved.

🏳️‍🌈 The LGBTQ+ parents who open their hearts and homes through fostering.

🏳️‍🌈 The LGBTQ+ older adults, many of whom face isolation and instability.

Across each of these generations and experiences, one thing makes the difference: a supportive, open, and accepting community.

To all of the LGBTQ+ individuals and allies who make Treehouse, the Commonwealth, and our world more supportive: thank you. Happy Pride!

06/04/2026

We were so honored to be featured on the Fabulous413 podcast through New England Public Media late last week!

Executive Director Erika Kuester joined residents Sue Brow, Susie Jubinville, and Lyn Muth for a heartfelt conversation about what makes the Treehouse so special, from supporting foster youth of all ages, to our upcoming expansions throughout Massachusetts.

▶️ Tune in at the 25-minute mark to hear the story!

https://www.nepm.org/podcast/the-fabulous-413/2026-05-28/treehouse-foundation-rep-jim-mcgovern

06/02/2026

When we asked Jorge, Treehouse's Intergenerational Arts Coordinator, what inspires him about his role, he told us it actually started when he was aging out of foster care himself.

"There were resources available that weren't necessarily being presented or that were in any way on my radar. But they were there."

Today, Jorge wants to offer to others the support that he didn’t have. Who better to understand the needs of transition aged youth than someone who has gone through the process himself?

Recently, a young woman in the Truth Tellers Ensemble needed a prom dress. When someone suggested Goodwill, Jorge thought: you deserve more than that.

One conversation with an intergenerational volunteer later, the community was able to give her a “girl’s day out” to get a dress, hair, and nails done through the support of a local nonprofit.

There was help, she just didn’t know to ask yet. That's where the intergenerational community — and Jorge's work connecting people and resources behind the scenes — made all the difference.

“Otherwise she would have gone through this experience where she could have felt alone. Now she doesn't."

It's our community's support of Treehouse — especially after the recent Runway 5K — that not only makes our intergenerational arts programming possible, but also these small, significant moments that do indeed change lives.

We can’t thank Jorge, our residents, donors, and supporters enough for bringing the magic of Treehouse to life.

05/30/2026

With just a couple days left of Foster Care Awareness Month, we're reminded that community support isn't seasonal.

We're here to support foster youth throughout their entire experience.

In a recent interview, CEO Erika Kuester spoke to the heart of our mission: permanency. When young people are ready to launch, they don't go it alone. They have family and Treehouse staff who help navigate housing, education, employment, and whatever goals that young person holds for their future.

Months change, but the need for permanency does not. And neither does our work. Treehouse is growing, with new communities coming to Boston, Worcester, and Framingham.

Learn more by checking out the full interview below!

https://theauntie.substack.com/p/the-community-where-foster-kids-caregivers?

An interview with Treehouse Foundation CEO Erika Kuester

05/29/2026

As we close out National Foster Care Month, let's get one more round of applause for all who made this year's Runway 5K a flying success.

Together, we packed the runway with 450+ participants and raised more than $130,000 to support foster care and affordable intergenerational living across the Commonwealth!

05/27/2026

Two young sisters would come over to Treehouse resident and Board Member Cherryl Jensen’s apartment about once a week.

“I called them my girls,” she said.

Together, they invented games. One had “stations” set up around her small apartment where you had to complete little tasks. Another turned the living room into an obstacle course made out of boxes and blocks.

“They were really creative,” Cherryl said.

The girls eventually moved away, but the connection stayed with her.

One of the reasons Cherryl came to Treehouse was for the chance to be part of an intergenerational community.

“It’s sort of like the old-fashioned small town or village,” she said.

If you supported our recent Runway 5K or donated to Treehouse, you’ve made these special relationships possible. Thank you!

05/26/2026

"This intergenerational, youth-centered ensemble piece is not merely theater—it is testimony. It is truth spoken aloud by people and families whose lived experiences with foster care, kinship care, and adoption are too often buried beneath statistics, policy language, and systemic silence."

Many thanks to The Hollywood Times for a sparkling review of the Truth Tellers Theater Ensemble's current show, Honesty - Even When It's Hard, in partnership with Arts Integration Studio .

There are two more opportunities to experience this transformative performance: Tomorrow, May 27, 1:00pm, at the Renaissance School in Springfield, and Friday May 28, 6:30pm, at the Divine Theater in Holyoke. Don't miss out!

By Renee Santos Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/24/26 - There are certain performances you review as a critic, and then there are performances you experience as a human being. HONESTY—Even When It’s Hard, created and performed by the Truth Tellers Theater Ensemble, is firmly the latter.P...

05/25/2026

Like Luke Morrison, a young man from Vermont who created a museum to honor generations of military service, we at Treehouse are inspired by the generations of dedicated men and women who have come before us, including those serving now and those who will one day serve.

This Memorial Day, we honor the memory of those generations by recommitting to our mission to build strong intergenerational communities powered by care, dignity, and mutual respect.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/opinion/war-memories-memorial-day.html

05/13/2026

“When we create and share our stories, the world becomes a more loving place.”

So says Priscilla Kane Hellweg (first photo, right), director of the Truth Tellers Theater Ensemble, the extraordinary, intergenerational troupe that will take the stage at the Massachusetts Statehouse on May 14 for Children's League of Massachusetts advocacy day!

Founded in partnership between Treehouse and Arts Integration Studio , Priscilla's consulting firm, the Truth Tellers are excited to share an excerpt from their production, Honesty, Even When It’s Hard, to hundreds of legislators, agency leaders, and other advocates.

The performers, ranging in age from 15 to 70+, will bring vulnerability and joy to the stage, exploring resilience, courage, belonging, and what it means to move from adversity toward healing and finding a way forward.

After more than 40 years working at the intersection of theater, advocacy, education, and human services, Priscilla says the work is rooted in connection:

“There’s something very magical that happens when you bring people together who don’t know each other but have so much in common. It is our humanity that brings us together.”

Truth Tellers’ focus mirrors the Treehouse mission: supporting youth whose lives have been impacted by foster care and in making positive change in the child welfare system.

The May 14th performance Boston kicks off an exciting series. The ensemble will perform in Holyoke on May 21st, Springfield on May 27th, and return to Holyoke again on May 28th. See the flyer for full details on times and locations.