“I can’t explain how much my life has shifted and changed ever since I started my journey with Breaktime. I would recommend Breaktime for any youth… they have so many different resources and will work with you 1 on 1."
- Vickie
Benefits of Breaktime's program
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Earn $18/hour 20-30 hours a week during three month worksite placement
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Earn up to $10,000 over the course of programming
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Obtain over 50 hours job training and professional development skills
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Leave Breaktime after three months with up to $1,300 in savings
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1:1 credit counseling accessible for a year
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Gain assistance with navigating financial support opportunities
Eligibility
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Our only official requirements are that a young adult be between the ages of 18 - 24 and at high-risk of homelessness, currently experiencing homelessness, or recently transitioned out of housing insecurity within the past year (ex: is in a rapid rehousing program). Our one other requirement is identification to be able to fill out an I-9.
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Within this pool, we give preference to young adults who are motivated and demonstrate a growth mindset and initiative.
What financial support does Breaktime offer?
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Aside from providing stipends–during Launchpad ($250/week) and Stable Orbit ($100/month)--and wages during Liftoff ($18/hr), Breaktime has two main programs to provide financial support to associates in our program: the Matched Savings Program, and BullPen Emergency Funding.
Resources
Emergency Resources
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please dial 911.
National Suicide Hotline: 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Boston Youth Shelters
Y2Y Network employs a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming environment for young adults 18-24 experiencing homelessness. Have 22 beds, which are yours for 30 days as long as rules are followed. Usually closes in the summer. Uses a daily lottery for beds. Must submit either online or over the phone between 8-8:30 am for the bed. Can call back between 8:45-9:15 to learn update on if lottery was selected.
Address: 1 Church St, Cambridge
Contact: #: 617-864-0795 (Lottery line) Email: info@y2ynetwork.org
Emergency Youth Shelter (Ages 18-24); Many Drop-In Day Services for ages 14-24. Works with runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth. Also provides counseling and psychiatric services to those who have completed intake, regardless of if they are sheltering at Bridge. November-April: there are additional Warming Centers for youth seeking shelter from cold.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM Address: 47 West Street, Boston Contact: #: 617-423-9575 (You can leave a message on this line outside of “open hours”.) Email: bridge@bridgeotw.org
Funding Services
A part of the Innovative Stable Housing Initiative (ISHI), Flex Fund resources are short-term emergency funds for individuals and families to maintain or achieve safe and healthy housing. This fund aims to reduce barriers to emergency funding that may exist in other systems for those who need these resources.
PFLAG is a group of Parents & Families, as well as members of the LGBT+ community who aim to provide support and access to resources that assist allies in providing a pathway to a more inclusive and safe environment. They offer a variety of monthly support groups and paid opportunities. This link specifically leads to their page for initiatives and scholarships offered through their programming.
Youth Pass CharlieCards can be loaded with cash value, for roughly 50% reduced one-way fares, or $30 monthly LinkPasses for unlimited bus and subway travel.
Housing and Urban Development provides contacts for those experiencing homelessness. This link was provided in the original Resource Map for an Emergency Housing Voucher program put into place in 2021. It is unclear if this is still active, pending hearing back to find out.
SNAP/EBT is a state funded provision of a monthly limit to be used towards food per month, to assist food-insecure households. SNAP benefits include: Monthly funds on an EBT card to buy food.
$40, $60 or $80 a month put back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy local produce via the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).
SNAP Path to Work free education and training opportunities.
Free nutrition education classes and resources.
Food Servies
National Resoures
The Homeless Youth Handbook is a guide for homeless youth with information about your legal rights, responsibilities, and resources in every major aspect of life.
“The mission of the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is to help keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. NRS provides education and solution-focused interventions, offers non-sectarian, non-judgmental support, respects confidentiality, collaborates with volunteers, and responds to at-risk youth and their families 24 hours a day through phone, email, and live chat.”
Select your state to find the contact information of a homeless service provider in your community.
Daytime Services
A program of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, is a drop-in center for homeless and street-involved youth, ages 14-24, located in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
BAGLY’s weekly meetings and drop-in programs are held at their Community Center at 28 Court Square in Boston. Their center offers identity-based social support groups, mental and behavioral health programs, and a walk-in clinic. Just looking for a place to drop-in, grab a snack, play some games, do some art, or simply decompress? Their community center is open to LGBTQ+ youth ages 22 and under.
St. Francis House is a nonprofit providing critical services and assistance to the adult homeless community. They provide a day shelter, community meals, access to health services, recovery focused treatment for addiction and substance use, as well as access to affordable housing units which are maintained by St. Francis House. St Francis Brochure.
City of Boston - Public Restrooms Map
Map of all public restrooms in Boston, provided by the Boston government. Some may be closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Day Program and Resource Center for individuals living with HIV. Offers a wide variety of resources, including peer, nutrition, educational, and wellness focused services to those who have undergone the intake process to gain membership with the program. There is also a focus on holistic healing services and general peer support and community building for those with HIV/AIDS. (Open to all/ not youth specific).
Boston Warm: Common Cathedral Emmanuel Church
Christian (Episcopal) led day center providing support for those experiencing homelessness. Began as a winter warming center, but continued year round since 2015. Provides community support and non-judgemental connection to a church for those whom that is important to, as well as breakfast, lunch and community meals. Aims to meet the physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs of those experiencing homelessness in Boston. (Open to all/ not youth specific).
Rosie's Place is a multi-service community center that offers women emergency shelter and meals, and so much more: a food pantry, ESOL classes, legal assistance, wellness care, one-on-one support, housing and job search services, and community outreach. The Overnight Shelter is open 365 days a year to provide 20 women with a warm, safe bed for 21 days, three meals a day and a chance to get her footing so she can best make a plan for what comes next. (Open to all/ not youth specific).
The Engagement Center (City of Boston Recovery Services)
The Engagement Center is provided through the City of Boston as a day center for individuals who simply need a place to go, or who are seeking resources and referrals to recovery and sobriety programs sponsored through the City of Boston. Access to medical care, housing programs, mental health assistance, and more can be gained here. This is not a supervised injection site, however individuals are not required to be sober to be in the space; please note that if they are evaluated to be at risk of harm under the influence, they may be referred out to an ER or more intensive program for medical monitoring.(Open to all/ not youth specific).