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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.

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The last night of the term-time season will be April 15, 2025. ​

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Y2Y Harvard Square will open for the summer season on June 10, 2025.​

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.

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ENTERING THE LOTTERY FOR A 30-DAY BED

  • Option 1: Online

    • 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.

    • 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

    • 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

  • Emergency-Bed Lottery (9:00 pm - 9:30 pm)

    • 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)

    • 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

  • Doors open at 7:00 p.m.​

  • NO drugs or alcohol in the space

  • Security check and COVID-19 screening at the door; no weapons are allowed in the space

  • Masks required

  • Proof of age is required 

Y2Y RESOURCES

  • 22 beds

  • Washers and Dryers

  • Showers

  • Clothing and toiletries 

  • Storage

  • Computers and internet

  • Dinner, breakfast and snacks 

  • LGBQT+ inclusive

  • Accessible for guests of all abilities

Y2Y SERVICES

  • Resource Navigation

  • 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 

Volunteer making meals.jpg

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

  • Arrive before 4pm, beds at the door

  • 60-night beds available

  • See Y2Y Case Manager for more details

  • Men only, wet

  • MBTA: Andrew Station or #1 bus from Harvard

  • (Nov. 1 – Apr. 15)

  • 66 Winthrop St., Cambridge

  • 617-547-2841

  • 7:30 p.m. – 8 a.m. Lottery for 14-day beds; 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for single night beds

  • Men and women, dry

  • MBTA: Harvard Square

  • Takeaway dinners at the door from 7:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

  • Roxbury, MA

  • 617-267-3700

  • Ages 18 to 25 only

112 SOUTHAMPTON ST.
SHELTER

HARVARD SQUARE
HOMELESS SHELTER

LIBERTY VILLAGE

  • 47 West Street, Boston

  • 617-423-9575

  • Sign up by 3:00 p.m. 

  • Ages 18 – 24 only

  • MBTA: Park Street Station

  • 617-892-9100 

  • Wet

  • Arrive before 3:00 p.m. 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

  • 794 Mass Ave, Boston

  • MBTA: #1 bus from Harvard

  • 617-534-7100

  • Arrive before 4:00 p.m., beds at the door

  • Women only

  • Wet

BRIDGE OVER
TROUBLED WATERS

PINE STREET INN

WOODS MULLEN SHELTER

CASPAR SHELTER

  • 240 Albany Street, Cambridge

  • 617-661-0600

  • MBTA: #1 bus from Central Square or Harvard Square

  • Beds given at the door

  • Wet

ROSIE'S PLACE

  • 889 Harrison Ave, Boston

  • 617-442-9322

  • MBTA: #47 from Central Square or Silver Line (Washington St. and Lenox St.

  • Call 8:00 a.m. M-F for the bed lottery

  • Women only

  • Dry

HEALTH CARE SERVICES

  • 130 Boylston St, Boston

  • 617-457-8140

  • MBTA: Boylston Street (Green Line)

  • Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

  • Drop-In: Mon & Fri: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

  • Urgent Care Center 660 Broadway, Somerville

  • 800-981-4357 (call prior to visit)

  • MBTA: Davis Square

  • Walk-ins: 7:00 a.m. –11:00 p.m. M-F; 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekends.

  • Mobile crisis teams (a separate team for young adults under 21)

  • 362 Green Street, Cambridge

  • Call 617-349-6340 for an appointment

  • MBTA: Central Square

  • 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)

  • 402 Mass Ave, Cambridge

  • T access: Central Square

  • Hours

    • Mon: 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.​

    • Tues: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

    • Wed: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (women)

    • Thurs: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

  • 47 West St, Boston, MA 02111

  • 617-423-9575

  • MBTA: Park Street

  • M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Young adults 14-24

  • Offers numerous day-time services including appointments with licensed clinical counselors

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