Mission & Model
Mission
Breaktime’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by equipping young adults with the job and financial security they need to establish housing security.
Model
Breaktime’s core program is a three-part supported transitional employment program that utilizes partnerships to empower young adults at risk/experiencing housing insecurity. This includes 3 weeks of work readiness training and financial education, 3 months of paid job placement at a local nonprofit or business, and 3 years of continued wraparound career, academic, housing, and financial support services. The Breaktime model is uniquely and intentionally designed to support young adults to access high-quality, in demand job opportunities while equipping them with the skills, financial knowledge, and support necessary for them to acquire long-term stable housing.
Through Launchpad, young adults are introduced to Breaktime’s 6 Essentials of Success (6ES): Attendance, Punctuality, Engagement, Communication, Professionalism and Equipped, in addition to receiving credit counseling. Upon completion, Breaktime connects associates with local nonprofits or small businesses where they work for three months as part of our Liftoff Program. During this time, they earn a living wage of $18+ per hour for 20-30 hours per week while gaining valuable work experience with continued support from Pathway Coaches. This process of early intervention enables Breaktime to combat long-term chronic homelessness and support young adults in becoming stably employed and housed. At the conclusion of Liftoff, young adults are enrolled into our Stable Orbit program which provides 3 years of continued support towards their career and education goals via Pathway Coaching. Breaktime’s Pathway Coaches come from Boston’s top Master of Social Work programs and provide intentional support to young adults throughout the entirety of the model. They provide one-on-support, facilitate workshops, make community referrals, and collect key outcomes data.
The Breaktime model is uniquely and intentionally designed to support young adults to access high-quality, in demand job opportunities while providing them with the skills, financial knowledge, and support necessary for them to acquire long-term stable housing.
Our Program
Launchpad
3 weeks
Liftoff
3 months
Stable Orbit
3 years
Skills Learned and Practiced
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Professionalism
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Goal-Setting
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Introduction to Housing
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Conflict Resolution
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Communication
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Dependability
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Self-care
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Job Process Prep: Interviewing, Cover Letter, Resume, LinkedIn
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Budgeting & Credit
Benefits of Transitional Employment
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Building transferable job skills
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20-30 hours of paid work
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Networking Opportunities
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Exposure to new skills and fields
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Positive impact on the community
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Opportunity to save $1300 over 13 weeks
Services include
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Continued 1 on 1 Pathway Coaching/Case management
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Resume writing support
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Professional development opportunities
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Exposure to job opportunities
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Crisis Management and community-based referrals
Wages and Matched Savings
Earn $18/hour 20-30 hours a week during 3 month worksite placement
Earn up to $10,000 over the course of the program
Obtain over 50 hours job training and professional development skills
Leave Breaktime after three months with up to $1,300 in savings
1:1 credit counseling accessible for a year
Pathway Coaching
Throughout every aspect of our model young adults are paired with a Pathway Coach to navigate transitions, break down barriers, and celebrate successes as they move through our model and their careers. Pathway coaches are Masters of Social Work students from local Universities like Boston College and Simmons University.