Breaktime, a local nonprofit organization striving to break the cycle of young adult homelessness just closed a deal on 63 Franklin Street in Downtown Crossing. The nonprofit purchased the 34,000-square-foot building for $6.3 million, with plans to transform it into a first-of-its-kind young adult homelessness resource center, the Hub for Solving Young Adult Homelessness.
According to the state, on a given night, 1,000 youth and young adults experience homelessness in Massachusetts.
The Hub for Solving Young Adult Homelessness
The massive complex spans five floors. Breaktime plans to dedicate each floor to a different resource or service to support young adults experiencing homelessness, such as dedicated areas for career training, laundry, showers, and a health clinic.
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) will operate the health clinic for young adults on the second floor, and another partner will open a retail space at street level that will employ Breaktime Associates, young adults, ages 18 to 24, experiencing housing insecurity in Breaktime’s program.
When Breaktime approached us with the idea for a hub that would co-locate resources for young adults experiencing homelessness under one roof, we knew immediately that we wanted to be a part of it,” said Dr. Jim O’Connell, President of BHCHP. “This model is going to significantly increase young adults’ access to critical services, like healthcare, and ultimately break the cycle of homelessness for young adults. We are so proud to be a part of this vision.
Ecosystem to end the cycle of young adult homelessness in Massachusetts
The Hub for Solving Young Adult Homelessness is not a homeless shelter, its a resource hub and launching pad to help young adults break free from the cycle of homelessness.
This Hub represents a monumental step forward for our Commonwealth, our City, and the entire ecosystem of partners working to end young adult homelessness,” said Connor Schoen, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Breaktime. “Each floor of our Hub will be dedicated to a different resource that supports young adults on their journey to housing stability, making this building a one-stop shop for our unhoused young people, and the first of its kind anywhere in the country.
The Hub for Solving Young Adult Homelessness aims to serve as the one-stop shop for unhoused young adults in Massachusetts.
I went homeless at a young age, and it was hard because there’s not that much help for youth,” said Sammy, a young adult participating in Breaktime’s program. “There should be places where homeless young adults can practice their craft, whether it’s art or entrepreneurship. There should be places put together where they can have a safe space to express themselves, and even sit there and relax and have a break from the world.
Breaktime’s mission
Breaktime envisions a world without young adult homelessness as expressed in its mission statement:
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. By providing employment, wraparound services, and financial support, Breaktime works to ensure that every young person has the tools they need to achieve job, financial, and long-term housing security.
With the generous donations of local philanthropists including Bancel Philanthropies, Linda Hammett and Andrew Ory, and The Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation, Breaktime purchased the $6.3 million property. Renovations begin this January.
About Breaktime
In 2018, Harvard students Connor Schoen and Tony Shu founded Breaktime after interacting with residents while volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Young adults expressed their struggle for employment, and Breaktime found a way to connect those young adults with employment opportunities, wraparound services, and financial support. These tools proved integral in helping break the homelessness cycle and allowing young adults to achieve financial and housing security. Breaktime currently operates out of Boston’s West End neighborhood.
If you are a young adult experiencing homelessness or know someone who is, you can apply or refer to Breaktime. Currently one level of the Hub is operating, the team expects to complete renovations in spring of 2025.
The Hub for Solving Young Adult Homelessness will open at 63 Franklin Street, Boston