About Us
Breaktime operates Boston’s first transitional employment program specifically tailored to young adults experiencing homelessness.
Our Mission
Breaktime is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that empowers young adults experiencing homelessness to build stability in their own lives while building resilience in their communities. We operate Boston’s first transitional employment program for young adults experiencing homelessness in which young adults launch their careers, nurture their talents, and serve their communities. Through this early intervention that focuses on financial and personal empowerment, Breaktime helps prevent long-term chronic homelessness and supports young adults in becoming changemakers.
Why We Do What We Do...
the problem
1/10 young adults in the USA experience some form of homelessness each year.
While foundational job training programs do exist, young adults experiencing homelessness often encounter difficulty finding stable work after the program's completion.
Stable employment has been found to be the most critical factor in achieving stable housing.
our response
Breaktime offers a flexible one year of "second-step" supported transitional employment to young adults experiencing homelessness. We then help pair our employees with their next opportunity.
We support our young adults with professional and personal development along with one-on-one career mentorship to build social capital and equip them for the 21st-century workforce.
We prioritize building community, reducing stigma, and catalyzing systems-level change.
Meet the Breaktime Team
We are a community of action-driven optimists committed to ending young adult homelessness
Connor Schoen
Co-Founder and
Co-Executive
Director
Sam Goodman
Director of
Communications
Tony Shu
Co-Founder and
Co-Executive
Director
Kathy Nichols
Director of
Programs
Laura Skinner
Director of Development
Michael Brown
Senior Advisor
​Principal, Public Purpose Strategies
Co-Founder, City Year
Da'Waun Lewis
Assistant Manager of Operations
Emma MacKenzie
Programs
Xavier Toledo
Marketing and
Branding
Ben Workman
Development and Programs
Sara Bourne
Communications
Helen He
Programs
Andrew Tucker
Marketing and Branding
Jeffrey Wang
Programs
Erin Buck
Communications
Isaiah Romulus
Programs and
Operations
Nancy Wang
Programs
Rachel Gertsenshtyen
Development
Breaktime is a
community partner of
The City of Boston's Plan to End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness.
