ABOUT US
At Y2Y Harvard Square, the nation’s first youth-led youth homeless shelter. Y2Y HSQ guests collaborate with service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and develop skills for long-term success. Our shelter has 22 beds, which make up about 1/2 of the youth-specific shelter beds in the Greater Boston Area. Y2Y Harvard Square provides opportunities for both guests and student volunteers to become the next generation’s leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness.
Y2Y Harvard Square will open for the fall season on October 15, 2024.
GET A BED AT Y2Y HARVARD SQUARE
Y2Y Harvard Square is a shelter for young adults (18-24 years old) experiencing homelessness. Y2Y HSQ admits guests for both long-term and 1-night stays via our randomized electronic lottery system. A young person who wins a long-term bed will be able to stay with us for 30 nights. To enter one of our three daily lotteries, please view details below.
ENTERING THE LOTTERY FOR A 30-DAY BED
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Option 1: Online
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Fill out this electronic form before 8:00 a.m. to be considered for that night. You will be notified of lottery results via email by 9:15 a.m. If you receive a bed, we will send you an email notifying you that you may begin staying at Y2Y that night.
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Note: 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.
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Option 2: By Phone
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You may call the shelter between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the days you wish to enter the lottery at (617) 864-0795 . You will receive a lottery number and be instructed to call back between 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. to learn if your number was selected. If selected, you may begin staying at Y2Y that night.
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ENTERING THE LOTTERY FOR A 1-NIGHT BED
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Emergency-Bed Lottery (9:00 pm - 9:30 pm)
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Between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m, potential guests may enter the one-night ‘emergency-bed’ lottery by calling us at (617) 864-0795 or by entering in-person at our physical location at 1 Church Street. You will receive a lottery number and be instructed to call back after 9:30 p.m. to learn if your number was selected. Results will also be posted on the shelter door. If selected, you may enter the shelter beginning at 9:30 p.m.
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Last-Call Lottery (10:45 pm - 10:50 pm)
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If there are any shelter beds that still remain unoccupied at 10:45 p.m., we will lottery them off for one night to those who enter the ‘last-call’ lottery in-person only. At 10:50 p.m., lottery results will be announced at the door and accepted guests will be allowed to enter the shelter.
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Y2Y COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS
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Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
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NO drugs or alcohol in the space
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Security check and COVID-19 screening at the door; no weapons are allowed in the space
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Masks required
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Proof of age is required
Y2Y RESOURCES
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22 beds
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Washers and Dryers
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Showers
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Clothing and toiletries
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Storage
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Computers and internet
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Dinner, breakfast and snacks
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LGBQT+ inclusive
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Accessible for guests of all abilities
Y2Y SERVICES
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Resource Navigation
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Legal services
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Medical care
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Mental health clinicians
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Drop-in service providers
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Referrals to other service providers
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Resume help and job search support
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Leadership and advocacy opportunities
Y2Y is a really beautiful, unique, and inclusive community that emphasizes the importance of building trusting relationships and connections. I will hold the values and relationships I formed at Y2Y close to me throughout the rest of my career, and I plan to continue serving people experiencing homelessness after I graduate.
Y2Y HSQ Student Staff Member
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Arrive before 4pm, beds at the door
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60-night beds available
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See Y2Y Case Manager for more details
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Men only, wet
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MBTA: Andrew Station or #1 bus from Harvard
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(Nov. 1 – Apr. 15)
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66 Winthrop St., Cambridge
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617-547-2841
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7:30 p.m. – 8 a.m. Lottery for 14-day beds; 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for single night beds
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Men and women, dry
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MBTA: Harvard Square
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Takeaway dinners at the door from 7:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
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Roxbury, MA
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617-267-3700
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Ages 18 to 25 only
112 SOUTHAMPTON ST.
SHELTER
HARVARD SQUARE
HOMELESS SHELTER
LIBERTY VILLAGE
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47 West Street, Boston
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617-423-9575
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Sign up by 3:00 p.m.
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Ages 18 – 24 only
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MBTA: Park Street Station
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617-892-9100
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Wet
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Arrive before 3:00 p.m. for lottery at the door
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Men’s Inn: 444 Harrison Ave, Boston
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MBTA: Broadway, or #9 or #11 bus from Broadway
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Women’s Inn: 363 Albany Ave, Boston
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MBTA: Broadway
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794 Mass Ave, Boston
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MBTA: #1 bus from Harvard
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617-534-7100
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Arrive before 4:00 p.m., beds at the door
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Women only
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Wet
BRIDGE OVER
TROUBLED WATERS
PINE STREET INN
WOODS MULLEN SHELTER
CASPAR SHELTER
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240 Albany Street, Cambridge
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617-661-0600
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MBTA: #1 bus from Central Square or Harvard Square
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Beds given at the door
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Wet
ROSIE'S PLACE
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889 Harrison Ave, Boston
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617-442-9322
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MBTA: #47 from Central Square or Silver Line (Washington St. and Lenox St.
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Call 8:00 a.m. M-F for the bed lottery
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Women only
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Dry
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
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130 Boylston St, Boston
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617-457-8140
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MBTA: Boylston Street (Green Line)
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Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
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Drop-In: Mon & Fri: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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Urgent Care Center 660 Broadway, Somerville
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800-981-4357 (call prior to visit)
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MBTA: Davis Square
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Walk-ins: 7:00 a.m. –11:00 p.m. M-F; 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekends.
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Mobile crisis teams (a separate team for young adults under 21)
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362 Green Street, Cambridge
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Call 617-349-6340 for an appointment
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MBTA: Central Square
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New client walk-in hours: 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. M-F
SIDNEY BORUM
BEST/CSEPS
CAMBRIDGE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER
CAMBRIDGE HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS (SALVATION ARMY)
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402 Mass Ave, Cambridge
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T access: Central Square
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Hours
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Mon: 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
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Tues: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Wed: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (women)
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Thurs: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
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47 West St, Boston, MA 02111
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617-423-9575
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MBTA: Park Street
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M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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Young adults 14-24
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Offers numerous day-time services including appointments with licensed clinical counselors