Newsletter Fall 2021
| bridgeotw.org
YOUTH STORY
NEWS
Creating a personalized path to support for Bridge youth
Celebrating recent graduates in the Education program
Bridge has expanded our intake team to ensure a welcoming space for youth as they navigate support.
Youth in Bridge’s Education and Career programs have been hard at work over the summer, finishing high school, passing their High School Equivalency (HiSET) tests and excelling in their college or vocational training classes.
For many young people, asking for help is a daunting and intimidating process. Youth have experienced trauma, have been let down by adults who were supposed to support them, and in turn, have little trust in the systems that are meant to protect them. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, more youth than ever before are reaching out to Bridge for help. Bridge’s expanded intake department provides an efficient connection to services that fit youths’ individual needs and helps youth establish a foundation for success at Bridge. In his new role as Client Services Coordinator, Matin Yusuf works with youth who are new to Bridge to establish a trusting relationship, to assess and prioritize services for each youth and to help youth set shortterm goals. As a member of the Bridge team since 2012, Matin brings a deep understanding of working with young people and the importance of initial trust-building to his new role. Continued on page 2…
Congratulations to recent graduate Cameron, who finished his HiSET certificate this summer while working 30 hours a week and recently earning a promotion. This fall, Cameron started classes to complete his Automotive Mechanic Certificate. Congratulations Cameron!
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Creating a personalized path to support for Bridge youth continued… As Client Services Coordinator, Matin prioritizes each youth’s immediate needs and makes sure that all youth are safe. “It’s nearly impossible to be successful going back to school, finding a job or focusing on your mental health when you’re hungry or you don’t know where you’re sleeping at night,” says Matin. Matin explains that connecting youth with basic needs is a critical part of building trust and establishing a relationship at Bridge, but that it is only the start of the conversation. “Once I can show youth that their experience here at Bridge is going to be different, that we’re really here to help, then we can have an honest conversation about their goals and how we’re going to reach them together.” Matin helps youth navigate what he calls “the six floors of help” at Bridge. He provides introductions to staff in other programs and works with youth to set goals and expectations for themselves.
“Once I can show youth that their experience here at Bridge is going to be different, that we’re really here to help, then we can have an honest conversation about their goals and how we’re going to reach them together. ” - MATIN YUSUF, CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
BOMA Spring Stroll raises support for Bridge This spring, our partners at Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Boston were eager to find a way to come together and support Bridge despite the ongoing pandemic. Their answer? The first ever BOMA Boston Spring Stroll! Members of the local BOMA community organized to walk together outdoors and virtually. They asked their friends, family and colleagues to chip in and help raise support for the young people at Bridge. We are so grateful to the BOMA Boston community for their ongoing support of Bridge. This fall, they even included Bridge as the charitable partner for the BOMA International Conference hosted here in Boston!
COVID-UPDATES
Increasing youth awareness and access to COVID-19 vaccines This spring, Bridge hosted four COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Bridge youth and staff with our partners at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless. Clinics took place at Bridge’s downtown Boston location, making it easy for youth to access their COVID vaccine in a trusted environment. Bridge staff is also focused on spreading awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine. Our team is sharing accurate information and engaging in open dialogue with youth about their vaccine questions and concerns. Throughout program spaces, Bridge is sharing an awareness campaign of staff and youth pictures with some of the reasons that they are choosing to get vaccinated. This fall, Bridge continues to work closely with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless to help youth access vaccination sites and information in Boston.
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Motivating change through re-imagined counseling methods with the Miller Innovation Fund Thanks to a three-year grant from the Miller Innovation Fund of the Herman and Freida L. Miller Foundation, Bridge Clinical Director Peter Ducharme piloted a new protocol called Motivating Youth – Brief Engagement in Substance Use Treatment (MY-BEST), tailored to address the unique needs and developmental stage of young adults experiencing homelessness. The MY-BEST approach is unique from other recovery methods as it guides youth from a place of denial to a place of understanding. The model helps youth to recognize the negative behaviors associated with substance use and instead, motivates them to build connections to positive activities and people while planning for the future. The Miller Innovation Fund helped implement the program through the hiring of a MY-BEST dedicated Behavioral Health Therapist, the integration of substance use surveys into the Bridge Intake process and by assessing the effectiveness of these therapies and case management for young people using substances. The forthcoming results from a clinical trial of Bridge data will be shared on the national level so that other organizations can learn from and implement this important tool to help youth. WAYS TO HELP
Help make the holiday season bright for homeless youth We know that the holiday season will look different again this year - and we need your help to make it special for youth at Bridge. We are looking for individuals and corporate partners to help us provide holiday meals, gifts and critical cold weather items, as well as a safe place to stay, for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth this holiday season. For more information and to support holiday celebrations at Bridge, visit www.bridgeotw.org/holiday or contact Katherine Bottieri at kbottieri@bridgeotw.org or 617-423-9575 ext. 249.
MEET OUR TEAM
Staff Spotlight: Rachel Ellingson, LICSW Clinical Supervisor at Bridge Rachel works to implement clinical best practices and provide comprehensive support for youth throughout their time at Bridge. Why did you choose a career in youth services? I’ve always enjoyed working with youth because they are so full of hope. Young people are still learning who they are and building their unique identities. I’m grateful to provide a support system during this time of growth. How did you learn about Bridge? I completed my Master’s in Social Work and moved to Boston to start my career. I quickly learned about Bridge’s long history in the city and position as a local leader, so I’ve always been interested in joining the team. I really like that Bridge meets youth “where they’re at.” Doing this work we meet youth at a very difficult time in their lives, but we have the chance to work together to figure out a plan that works for them. What’s a typical day like for you? My day-to-day can vary pretty widely but I start every morning by walking through the different programs to check in with youth and staff. I regularly host one-on-one and small team coaching sessions with staff. Together, we recreate scenarios from staff’s work and model ways to integrate a traumainformed approach into their interactions with youth. I also work directly with youth to provide behavioral health therapy. I have a chance to connect with youth throughout their time at Bridge, so we can celebrate together their hard work and progress along the way. What is one thing that you wish youth knew or better understood about Bridge? We are so much more than just a place to stay. Yes, Bridge can help you with housing but we also offer many other support services to help you along each step of your journey. What is one thing that you wish anyone knew about Bridge and the young people we serve? The young people I work with every day are some of the strongest, most resourceful and most resilient people I’ve ever met, no matter what they’ve gone through.
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47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE Creating a personalized path to support for Bridge youth Increasing youth awareness and access to COVID-19 vaccines Motivating change through re-imagined counseling methods with the Miller Innovation Fund Staff Spotlight: Rachel Ellingson, Bridge Clinical Supervisor
JOIN US
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month Did you know? •
1 in 13 youth ages 13-25 experienced some form of homelessness this year
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Black and brown youth, parenting youth and youth from the LGBTQ+ community are all at greater risk of experiencing homelessness
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Over 70% of homeless youth report experiencing abuse
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50% of homeless youth are unsheltered or hidden - sleeping outside, in a car or someplace else not meant for human habitation
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1,400 students in Massachusetts are homeless and unaccompanied - doubled from a decade ago
This November, in recognition of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Bridge Over Troubled Waters is raising funds and awareness for youth experiencing homelessness - and we need your help. Learn more. During November, Bridge Over Troubled Waters will be hosting a series of educational virtual events featuring conversations with our staff and partners. Join us to learn more about youth experiencing homelessness and Bridge’s programs. Lend your voice. Bridge will be sharing more information throughout the month on social media, print and around Boston. Help us spread the word by sharing resources from Bridge with your friends and family. Stay informed. Visit our website at www.bridgeotw.org/nhyam and follow us on social media for the latest from Bridge.
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