Latest News
Welcome to the News page of Gregg House, where we share the latest updates, exciting events, and important announcements from our vibrant community. Here, you’ll find stories that highlight our ongoing programs, partnerships, and the impact we’re making in the lives of local families. Whether it’s a celebration of recent achievements or a look ahead at upcoming initiatives, this page serves as a hub for all things happening at Gregg House as we continue to nurture and support the families we serve. Stay connected and informed with us!
BREAKING NEWS
Our $12 million Capital Campaign is off to a strong start, thanks to community support, we’ve already raised $3.8 million toward building a new early learning center where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Every contribution brings us closer to this vision, and together we can create a lasting impact for generations to come.
Lynn Firefighters Serve Thanksgiving Lunch to 300+ Gregg House Children
For more than 30 years, Gregg House has hosted its Annual Thanksgiving Lunch, a cherished tradition that brings warmth, togetherness, and a sense of community to hundreds of children each year.
This year, the tradition continued in a big way as Lynn Fire Local Union 739 generously provided and personally prepared a full Thanksgiving meal for more than 300 Gregg House students. Firefighters, volunteers, community leaders, and Gregg House Board Members gathered at Hibernian Hall to serve the children and share in the holiday spirit.
Gregg House Board Member Brenda Womack reflected on the heart of the event, saying, “It lets kids know that we are thankful to be able to give back to them.”
Gregg House CEO Kelly O’Connor expressed similar sentiment, “The event is important this year because of the climate in the world that we’re living in right now. The kids really need to see everybody coming together.”
For many children, this meal is more than food — it is a moment of joy, stability, and celebration during a holiday season that can be challenging for families. Thanks to the Lynn Firefighters and all who volunteered, the Gregg House Thanksgiving Lunch continues to be a powerful example of community at its best.
Thanks to the generous support of the Cummings Foundation’s $30 Million Grant Initiative, Gregg House has opened a brand-new Zen Den—a calming sensory and emotional support space within our School-Age Program.
Designed to help children decompress after a busy day, the Zen Den offers soft lighting, cozy seating, soothing sounds, and sensory-friendly materials like weighted blankets and fidget tools. It’s a peaceful space where children can breathe, reflect, and restore balance.
Guided by trained staff, the room encourages both supported and independent use, helping children build self-awareness and emotional coping skills. “The Zen Den is more than a room—it’s a reflection of our belief that every child deserves understanding, patience, and a place to feel safe,” said Kelly O’Connor, Executive Director of Gregg House.
This new addition reflects Gregg House’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, high-quality care for all children. The Zen Den team will complete Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training this winter to further enhance support for our students.
3,000 Backpacks Distributed to Lynn Students Through Community Partnership
We are honored that Gregg House could be part of such an incredible community partnership to support Lynn families. Under the leadership of Liliana Patino, Senior Director of Community Impact and Development at the Eliot Resource Center, who generously provided the backpacks and coordinated the event—and with the dedicated efforts of Joel Abramson, who engaged the Lynn Education District and Lynn Public Schools to facilitate distribution, more than 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were shared with local students.
By joining hands with our partners, Gregg House helped ensure that children began the school year prepared and confident. Collaborations like this reflect the true strength of our community and the collective belief in lifting families up and investing in the bright futures of our children.
Coming Soon: New Early Learning Center
Gregg House is entering an inspiring new chapter with the construction of a modern, 40,000-square-foot early learning center designed to support the growth and well-being of our youngest learners.