Y2Y is a student-run overnight program in Harvard Square for young adults experiencing homelessness. We are a low-threshold program that provides sanctuary and helps young people achieve their goals at their own pace.
Y2Y HSQ OPENS ON October 15. Please see below for information on how to get a bed at Y2Y HSQ.
Y2Y Harvard Square is a shelter for young adults (18-24) experiencing homelessness. Y2Y assigns 30-day stays to young adults via a daily randomized electronic lottery system. There are two ways to enter and young people should enter the lottery each day they would like to be considered for a bed:
OPTION 1: ONLINE
Fill out this form before 8 am to be considered for that night or after 8:00 a.m. to be considered for the following night, You will be notified of lottery results via email by 9:15 a.m. If you received a bed, you will receive an email notifying you and you may begin staying at Y2Y that night. On opening day, October 15, Y2Y will give away staggered lengths of stay ranging from 30 to 51 days. Beginning on October 16, all guests who receive long-term beds will have 30-day lengths of stay.
OPTION 2: BY PHONE
Call the shelter (617-864-0795) between 8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. on the days you wish to enter the lottery. You will receive a lottery number; call back between 8:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m. to learn if your number was selected. Results will also be posted on the shelter door. If selected, you may begin staying at Y2Y that night.
For service providers: Service providers, teachers, lawyers, or any other adult who has a professional relationship with a young person in need of a place to stay may enter the electronic lottery form on their behalf with the consent of the lottery applicant.
In order to best protect Y2Y guests and staff against COVID-19, Y2Y will not provide one-night stays this year. All beds will be used for long-term stays.
Youth on Fire
- Phone: 617-661-2508
- Address: 1 Church St. Cambridge, MA 02138
- Hours: Walk-in hours on M, W, TH from 11PM-5PM. They can only have 2 clients in the space at a time, so it is possible that they may not be able to see you immediately when you stop by.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
- Phone: 617-423-9575
- Email: bridge@bridgeotw.org
- Address: 47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
- Hours: M-F 9:00AM-4:30PM Call ahead to schedule an intake appointment. Also taking walk-ins
- Doors open at 7 p.m.
- No drugs or alcohol in the space
- We conduct a security check at the door; no weapons are allowed in the space
- Proof of age is required, we will help you if you do not have it
- 22 beds
- Laundry
- Showers
- Clothing and toiletries
- Storage
- Computers and Internet
- Dinner, Breakfast, Snacks
- LGBTQ Inclusive
- Handicap accessible
- Case Management
- Legal Services
- Medical Care
- Mental Health Clinicians
- Drop-in service providers
- Referrals to other service providers
- Resume help and job search support
- Leadership and advocacy opportunities
60-night beds available
See Y2Y Case Manager for more details
Men only, wet
MBTA: Andrew Station or #1 bus from Harvard
617-423-9575
Sign up by 3pm; 18 – 24 only
MBTA: Park Street Station
240 Albany Street, Cambridge
617-661-0600
Beds given at the door
For everyone, Wet
617-547-2841
7:30 – 8am lottery for 14-day beds; 9 – 9:30pm for single night beds
Men and women, dry
MBTA: Harvard Square
Takeaway dinners at the door
7:30 p.m. – Midnight
Arrive before 3pm for lottery at the door
Men’s Inn:
444 Harrison Ave, Boston
MBTA: Broadway, or #9 or #11 bus from Broadway
Women’s Inn:
363 Albany Ave, Boston
MBTA: Broadway
889 Harrison Ave, Boston
617-442-9322
Call 8am M-F for bed lottery
Call 10am Sat.+Sun. for bed lottery
Women only, dry
402 Mass Ave, Cambridge
617-547-3400
Call 7am for bed, must be in by 7pm
Men only, Dry
794 Mass Ave, Boston
617-534-7100
Arrive before 4pm, beds at the door
Women only, wet
130 Boylston St, Boston
617-457-8140
Mon-Fri: 9am – 7pm
Drop-In: Mon & Fri: 9am – 5pm
Drop-In: Friday, 9am – 5pm
402 Mass Ave, Cambridge
Mon: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tue: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wed: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m (women only)
Thur: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (call first)
(add phone number to remove friction)
362 Green Street, Cambridge
Call 617-349-6340 for an appointment
New Client walk-in hours: 9:00-10:30am and 3:30-5:00pm M-F
Urgent Care center
660 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02145
800-981-4357
Accepts walk-ins: 7am to 11pm M-F; 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. weekends. Ask that you call hotline (1-800-981-4357) prior to visiting site
Also has mobile crisis teams (a separate team for young adults under 21, so make sure to tell them if our guest meets that criteria!)
47 West St, Boston, MA 02111
617-423-9575
M-F 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Young adults 14 24
Offers numerous day-time services including appointments with licensed clinical counselors
(617) 864-0795
Cambridge, MA 02139
info@y2ynetwork.org