Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Residential services programs: the rapid rehousing programs are scattered site housing programs, based on a housing first model, which provides short-term rental assistance and supports homeless youth in gaining stability and permanent housing within the private rental market, while working to ensure long-term stability for each participant. The transitional living program provides housing, life-skills training, and support to homeless youth ages 18 to 21. Young people live among their peers while they learn the life skills necessary to successfully manage and sustain their own households. Through group and individual counseling, residents learn how to set goals and work toward them while focusing on daily routines that may include work, school, homemaking, shared meals, and a regular calendar of traditional holidays and events. All residents have access to all the services available at the organization. The maternal group home provides housing, life skills training, and support to homeless pregnant or parenting girls ages 18 to 21 and their children. Young women live among their peers while they learn the life skills needed to successfully manage and sustain their own households and raise healthy children. Through groups and individual counseling, residents learn how to set goals and work toward them, while focusing on daily routines that may include work, school, child care, and homemaking and shared meals. Mothers participate in parenting education and groups on health, nutrition, and nurturing care. All residents have access to services available at Bridge. Runaway services: Bridge is the local respondent for the national runaway hotline (1-800-runaway), offering 24-hour access to a counselor and a safe bed off the streets for youth 14 to 17 years old who have run away from home and find themselves in crisis. Bridge staff will contact cab services to pick up youth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, within a 30-mile radius of boston at no cost to the youth and safely transport them to our transitional living program in brighton for shelter and services.

Outreach and support programs: counseling services provided by Bridge's licensed counselors who specialize in dealing with homelessness, substance abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment disorder, and other disorders, including depression and anxiety. Youth who are interested in counseling must meet with an intake specialist before being assigned to a counselor. Counseling is free and confidential. Medical and dental services are provided through partnerships with the sydney borum health center, the justice resource institute, and the multicultural aids coalition. Bridge provides weekly medical clinics and hiv/std testing and counseling to youth ages 14 to 24. All services are provided at the main facility located at 47 west street and are free and confidential. The ged program helps students earn their ged. Students may enter the program at any time and work at their own pace to build academic skills to help them reach their long-term educational and career goals. Students also develop job and computer skills necessary for both college and the workplace. College and career counseling by the Bridge's college and career counselors assists youth with job searches, college applications, interview preparation, resumes and cover letters, finding professional clothing for interviews, and provides counseling and referrals to address barriers to employment. The mobile medical van and the outreach mini-van travel through boston, cambridge, and surrounding areas on weekday evenings, offering free and confidential services at locations where young people gather. Volunteer medical staff offer homeless and street youth free basic first aid, referrals, and health advice, as well as access to services including crisis intervention, emergency shelter, survival items (food, blankets, clothes), assessment, counseling, and education. The vans offer youth a place to connect with a supportive adult.

Emergency services programs: the transitional day program (tdp) is a drop-in center where homeless young people can enjoy a hot meal, take a shower, access lockers, do laundry, connect with case managers, and participate in workshops. The tdp offers breakfast and lunch, as well as a safe and comfortable space to relax, read, use computers, and connect with friends or staff. The welcome center is open every night. The center offers homeless youth warmth, safety, and supportive adults who can help. The emergency youth shelter provides homeless young adults with shelter, food, clothing, meals, and safety, along with access to a wide range of support and services, all designed to help young people overcome difficult circumstances, become self-sufficient, and obtain transitional or permanent housing. Beds are available both on an emergency basis and for longer periods of time as a "contract bed" for youth who are actively working toward independence.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. Provided a grant to brunson house for purchase of a building.