Before joining any organization or signing up for any services, we strongly urge you to investigate the organization thoroughly. Join the MHLA egroup and check the archives for a variety of opinions on various organizations -- or post a new question.

Massachusetts Statewide Homeschool Organizations

Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA)
http://mhla.org/
Massachusetts Home Learning Association, founded in 1987, supports home learning as an alternative to public or private schooling in our state. We believe families are uniquely able and competent to support the individual needs and talents of their children. We recognize the right of families to retain control of both their children's education and their moral and ethical training. MHLA maintains a Massachusetts Support Group List on this website, containing information about any local group that wishes to be listed.

Massachusetts Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators (MassHOPE)
http://masshope.org/
From their website: "Mass. H.O.P.E. was established in 1989 as a Christian ministry for the express purpose of encouraging home educators across the Commonwealth." Contact them if you'd like an affiliated group near you.

Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts (AHEM)
http://www.ahem.info/index.htm
From their website: "Advocates for Home Education in Massachusett is an independent, grassroots, volunteer-run organization working to foster informed and active homeschoolers empowered to be their own best advocates in defending the right to independently homeschool."

Nationwide Homeschool Organizations

National Home Education Network (NHEN)
http://www.nhen.org/
The National Home Education Network exists to encourage and facilitate the vital grassroots work of state and local homeschooling organizations and individuals by providing information, fostering networking and promoting public relations on a national level. Because we believe there is strength in a diverse network of homeschoolers, we support the freedom of all individual families to choose home education and to direct such education.

NHEN's Legislative Forums and Controversial Issues are both excellent places to learn about national homeschool issues. As one participant on the Legislative Forums commented: "NHEN is the only homeschool group in existence that is inclusive on the national level. It's the only one hosting a genuine exchange of information among all kinds of homeschoolers with all kinds of opinions."

Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations Serving Homeschoolers

Massachusetts

Balance Rock Democratic Freeschool and Homeschool Support Center
http://www.balancerockcenter.org
Contact: Gray Harrison
407 Princeton Street
Jefferson, MA 01522
508-573-9093, email: balancerock@gmail.com
The Balance Rock Center is a democratic freeschool and homeschool support center. Our facility includes a library, computer room, art room, woodworking and shop area, media center, music room, gardens and access to hiking trails, ponds and woods, along with an assortment of workshops in physics, math, art, film, writing and more. The center is centrally located in Jefferson, MA (near Worcester) and is open to young people aged 13-18.

Family Resource Center (FRC)
http://www.FRC.info
Provides a wide variety of services. From their website: "Monthly field trips: Great group rates, arranged homeschool days, web-based curriculum to accompany programs. You do not have to be a member of The Family Resource Center in order to register for a field trip, class or special event."

Mystic River Learning Center
http://mysticriverlearningcenter.org/
111 Mt. Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
617-923-9229
Mystic River Learning Center is a cooperative center which supports homeschooling and is located in Watertown. It has been open since September 2002 and welcomes and supports children of all ages who would like to feel more empowered and fullfilled in their journey to adulthood. The center offers a wide variety of classes and workshops as well as opportunities to help build a community, healthy citizenship and participate in service projects. It is currently open 3 days a week from 9:30 to 3:30.

North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens
http://www.northstarteens.org/
104 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
413-582-0193
North Star is a teen center for homeschoolers. Most of our members are coming from school experiences, though many life-long homeschoolers join North Star as well. We offer family support in choosing the homeschool option, as well as classes, tutoring, mentorship, and connections to internships and other resources for our teen members. North Star is committed to assisting teens in making their own positive choices for their lives and helping them to direct their own educations. Please visit our web site for more information.

Voyagers --A homeschool resource center and cooperative
http://voyagersinc.org
Voyagers is based in Acton but serves a wide area. Voyagers is a homeschool resource center and cooperative of over 80 families from Massachusetts & New Hampshire; it offers study groups, workshops, performances and support by and for homeschooling families and currently runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. For more information please visit www.voyagersinc.org or e-mail
info@voyagersinc.org.

Nationwide

John Holt/Growing Without Schooling (GWS)
http://www.holtgws.com
John Holt and his legacy, including Patrick Farenga's books and Unschooling Workshops.

Home Education Magazine (HEM)
http://homeedmag.com/
From their website: "Home Education Magazine presents free online newsletters, discussion boards, a networking list, and selections from the magazine, including articles, interviews, columnists, resources, reviews and more!"

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
http://www.hslda.org/
In the Issue Library, you can review HSLDA's positions on state, national, and international issues.

From their website FAQ about HSLDA:
Q: Is HSLDA a Christian Organization?
A: Yes, however, HSLDA's mission is to protect the freedom of all home schoolers. Although our officers and directors are Christians, HSLDA membership is open to all home schoolers...