May 2025

It was far from the parquet at the Boston Garden, but the dedication of the new PSG-funded basketball court at our Jamaica Plain campus generated playoff-level excitement on Wednesday, May 14, a cool, sunny late-spring afternoon.

PSG Managing Director & CFO Marc Puglia stated he was proud that his company partners with Italian Home and happy to be helping the children we serve. PSG has generously sponsored our Gala for three years. As Marc spoke, he could see kids playing on the new court behind the event audience.

Italian Home President & CEO Sue Keays recalled how the old court was used almost year-round despite its battered status. She emphasized that basketball and the organization/teamwork the game requires are potent learning activities for children who need to strengthen their social skills, that is, many of those enrolled in our programs.

Sue displayed the beautiful bronze plaque that honors PSG’s $50,000 donation, which reads “Play hard, Dream big. Your friends at PSG.” Vice President of Agency Advancement Marc Davino thanked I Love Boston Sports and Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis for supporting the court renovations as well. Both donors will be honored with courtside plaques.

A group of kids joined Sue, Marc Puglia, and others who cut the ceremonial blue ribbon with oversized scissors, then the kids, a flock of PSG volunteers, and IHC staff took to the court for some full-court hoops action. Some very small kids scored dazzling baskets, to delighted applause. Everyone enjoyed barbecue, soft drinks, and, finally, made-to-order gourmet ice cream sundaes from Ice Cream Emergency, a truck refurbished into an old-fashioned ice cream parlor! It was a sweet end to a sweet event!

You can still donate to edge us over our goal by visiting our Gala website. We have some Silent Auction items still available until May 31.

Our Emerging Leaders group is holding a Pickleball fundraiser on Saturday, June 14, at PKL in South Boston, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 
It’s a fun time for a great cause.

You’ll enjoy pickleball, shuffleboard, and cornhole, plus have the opportunity to win exciting prizes in our raffles. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to support the children and others we serve. 

The Emerging Leaders is our group of compassionate young professionals who serve as ambassadors of our work of delivering life-saving programs and services. 

We look forward to seeing you at PKL!

Join us by purchasing a ticket or making a donation.
Explore our sponsorship opportunities here.

CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an independent, nonprofit accreditor, recently visited Italian Home for Children for two busy days to evaluate five of our programs: Intensive Treatment Residence, Neurodevelopmental Unit, Day Treatment Program, Brighton-Allston Mental Health Association, and the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative. David Mazza, Vice President of Compliance and Performance Improvement, says, “We earned the three-year accreditation, which is the maximum an agency can receive.”

Discussing the Home’s areas of strength, CARF’s report stated, “IHC has an impressive team of staff members who bring diverse perspectives and significant work and life experiences to the organization. Many employees have been with the organization or worked in the field for decades. Through their diversity, personnel effectively relate to clients. Staff members, from the most senior to those recently hired, expressed how much they care about the clients and love their jobs.”

Congrats to all!