The Homeless Services Bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission offers multiple vocational rehabilitation and educational services to its clients to help them with the transition beyond shelter. These programs are offered at the Long Island Shelter, the Woods Mullen Shelter, or both. For eligibility or referral information, please contact the indicated person.
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WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS |
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The Work Experience Program is a live-in, vocational rehabilitation program for homeless men and women. It operates as a harm-reduction model and provides work experience to homeless individuals who have a desire to transition into the workforce, whether they have previous work experience or not. It is designed for those who seek to break the pattern of homelessness. Staff members work closely with participants to establish their goals and take steps necessary to achieve them.
The Work Experience Program is a springboard toward re-entering the workforce. The program can prepare participants for permanent employment by providing structure, a work history and a good basic work ethic. The work encourages a sense of responsibility, competency and self-respect. The program, recognizing each individual’s own needs and aspirations, offers an opportunity for self-discovery. It seeks to instill the belief that it is never too late to change the direction of one’s life.
Any homeless individual who has a desire to become self-sufficient and who is motivated to take steps towards housing and employment is eligible to apply to the Work Experience Program.
The Work Experience Program is offered at both the Woods Mullen and Long Island Emergency Shelters.
For more information about the Work Experience Program on Long Island, please contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit Manager at (617)534-2526 X46133
For more information about the Work Experience Program at the Woods Mullen Shelter contact the Work Experience Program Coordinator at (617)534-7105.
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SERVING OURSELVES |
| The Serving Ourselves program, located at Long Island Shelter, is a vocational rehabilitation program designed to assist homeless persons. This program provides paid, hands-on job training, work skills development and job search skills to enable participants to transition out of the shelter and into community housing. Participants are provided with case-management, educational services, individual and group counseling, housing assistance, and health services.
Eligible individuals must have a minimum of 30 days sobriety and a willingness to work towards maintaining that sobriety.
There are six components to the Serving Ourselves program:
- Basic Kitchen Training
- Culinary Arts Training
- Clothing Distribution and Inventory
- Laundry
- Maintenance.
- Farm (seasonal)
Each participant works with staff to determine which component best meets his/her needs and abilities. The program is 6-12 months in duration, after which there are 3 months of follow-up in order to help the individual transition into employment and housing in the community.
To make a referral, please contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit Manager at (617) 534-2526 ext. 46133.
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PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE ADULT EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTER |
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Adult education is a critical part of a homeless individual's move toward establishing independence. The purpose of Project Lighthouse is to provide support and training to homeless clients and help them in defining and completing their goals.
Project Lighthouse is a department of the Homeless Services bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission. It is an adult education and pre-employment program serving homeless men and women at the Long Island Shelter. The focus of Project Lighthouse is adult basic education, stressing practical and applicable skills for today's competitive job market, and pre-employment skills for those who have been out of the job market.
Project Lighthouse offers classes in:
- Computer Literacy
- Adult Basic Education: math, literacy, and life skills
- GED and Pre-GED preparation
- English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Pre-employment classes and seminars in resume writing, interviewing skills, conflict resolution and on-line and traditional job searching techniques
Classes are presented in both one-on-one tutorials and small traditional classroom settings. Project Lighthouse provides specialized training for job rehabilitation components and prison re-entry programs, working towards matching clients with available employment opportunities. Project Lighthouse also serves as a computer drop-in center with eight computers available for learning computer skills, accessing e-mail, and job search, as well as a lending library for general population guests.
Eligibility:
- Homeless
- Referral from and continued relationship with a case management department
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