KidsArts Forever Home Newsletter

An At-Most-Monthly Publication

January 2026

Executive Director Ray-ray Farrales (left), finalizes the deal with Hollow Reed Board members Hermione Garland, Greg Caplan and Tim Garland (right), on 12/09/ 2025

WE OWN OUR FOREVER HOME!

• KidsArts, JP's beloved afterschool and summer arts program, now officially owns 93 Sedgwick Street, the longtime home of the Hollow Reed Pre-School, as well as the 1/2-acre wooded playground across the street. 

• KidsArts acquired both properties by merging with Hollow Reed, thereby inheriting its assets and liabilities.  Hollow Reed has dissolved as an organization.

• So: now comes the fun(d) part! Please help us in this transformational time—every $1 helps tremendously.

Conceptual photo of KA’s Forever Home by ERiSE Builders.

From Dream to Design: The Forever Home Takes Shape

We own it! Now comes the really exciting part: turning this beautiful building into a space purpose-built for KidsArts.

Behind the Scenes

If you're a current KidsArts parent, you know Jenna Figueiredo as the person who keeps everything running smoothly - registration, event reminders, all the logistics that make our programs work. Now she's also on our building committee, coordinating with Ray-ray, architects, builders, and facilities experts to bring this vision to life.

Studio G Architects, right here in JP, is working with us to bring 93 Sedgwick with all its quirky charm to its fullest potential for KidsArts. They're designing flexible studio spaces where kids can spread out with messy art projects, a performance area that can transform for different kinds of shows, and quiet corners for focused work. The goal? A building that feels like KidsArts - creative, welcoming, and designed around what kids need.

We've also brought on ERiSE Builders and nonprofit facilities experts from TSNE to help us phase the renovation strategically and ensure sustainable operations for years to come. We're deeply grateful to The Boston Foundation and the Arts & Business Council's Space Readiness Cohort, whose strategic support and connections were instrumental in assembling this team, navigating the merger process, and preparing us for our first year as property owners.

KidsArts has never owned or renovated a building before. But we've assembled a team of reputable local professionals who believe in what we're building - and we can't wait to share blueprints soon.

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Questions? Interested in volunteering with the Fundraising Committee?

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Why am I receiving this email?

Your child attended KidsArts at some point, or you came to one of our events, or you live in Sumner Hill, or you donated to KidsArts in the past, or we met you while doing outreach in the community – however you’re connected to us, we thought you might be interested in keeping up with what’s happening with our effort to acquire, renovate, and move our program into the old Hollow Reed property on Sedgwick Street. If you’d like to opt out of future newsletters, click below.

An At-Most-Monthly Publication

December 2025

Anticipated Closing Date for 93 Sedgwick Street is Soon!

KidsArts, JP's beloved afterschool and summer program, is merging with Hollow Reed, a pre-school on Sedgwick Street that ceased operations during the pandemic. 

At the closing, KA will officially inherit Hollow Reed's assets and liabilities, and Hollow Reed will dissolve as an organization.

The spacious building and wooded playground on Sedgwick Street where Hollow Reed nurtured hundreds of neighborhood children for 40+ years will become KA’s Forever Home.

Hollow Reed’s liabilities have been structured as a low-interest loan, to be paid off by KA over three years as we renovate the building and grow our programs in our new, much larger space.

Please help us raise $3M over 3 years so we can transform Hollow Reed’s legacy into KA’s future!

Executive Director Ray-ray Farrales stands in the doorway of 93 Sedgwick Street.

If you have any questions or would like to get
involved in the fundraising process:

Connecting with Our Community

Popsicle Party

ICYMI! We had an excellent turnout to our first Forever Home public awareness-raising event in September! About 100 people enjoyed popsicles and bubbles with their kids at the former Hollow Reed playground and got a sneak peek inside the building that housed the Hollow Reed pre-school for over 40 years.

KA’s Annual Haunted House

KA Board members Stefanie and Gigi, along with parent volunteer Jon, tabled the line for KA’s annual Haunted House to get the word out about our Forever Home. People who signed up for a tour of our new building got a button declaring them a JP KidsArts Champion!

Sumner Hill Neighborhood Association Meeting

On November 5, we joined the Sumner Hill Neighborhood Association’s annual meeting to introduce KidsArts, share our plans for the Hollow Reed properties, and answer questions. An audience of almost 30 people gave us a positive reception, and we received a personal endorsement from Michael Epp, the SHNA Board’s VP and Acting President. We were very grateful for the enthusiastic reception - our connection to the community is paramount, and we want to make sure that we have your support!

KA Board Member shakes hands with Phil Hall of JP Soccer as he hands her $1500 check for the Capital Campaign.

What’s Next?

• Fundraising, finalizing our renovation plans, fundraising, selecting a contractor, and more fundraising.

• Please help us raise $3M over 3 years so we can transform Hollow Reed’s legacy into KA’s future!

Why am I receiving this email?

Your child attended KidsArts at some point, or you came to one of our events, or you live in Sumner Hill, or you donated to KidsArts in the past, or we met you while doing outreach in the community – however you’re connected to us, we thought you might be interested in keeping up with what’s happening with our effort to acquire, renovate, and move our program into the old Hollow Reed property on Sedgwick Street. If you’d like to opt out of future newsletters, click below.