Location: Boston Public Library – Copley
Date: May 2014
Produced By: Students from the Re-Engagement Center
The Eugene Johnson Project Impact
In late October 2014, BYSN and The Liberty Mutual Foundation formed a partnership to host Creating Solutions Together: A 2015 Action Plan for Youth Experiencing Homelessness while releasing an RFP focusing on youth experiencing homelessness in Boston. The RFP was created with two priorities in mind, direct feedback from The Eugene Johnson Project report and collaboration between organizations.
On December 9th 2014, Creating Solutions Together: A 2015 Action Plan for Youth Experiencing Homelessness was a success with over 100 attendees and 67 organizations represented. Following the conference, $360K was awarded to 17 Boston-based organizations. Over half the grantees were new, 2,400 youth served, 330 beds provided, 55 youth are enrolled in a GED program and 371 youth benefited from education options and counseling. A capital grant of $500K was also awarded to Bridge Over Troubled Waters for the renovation of the Allston/Brighton House. The development will result in a 28 all-affordable bed facility for single parents and transitional living opportunities for at-risk youth and families.
The Eugene Johnson Project
The Eugene Johnson Project – A Reality Check on Boston Homeless Youth was produced by students from the Re-Engagement Center in conjunction with Community Call. Eugene Johnson is one of the students at the Re-Engagement Center who has experienced youth homelessness and believes that many of the problems in the community stem from the large number of homeless youth. Without homes; education, jobs, health, and safety are all difficult to maintain. The students believe the most efficient way to address their situation is by soliciting feedback directly from those on the streets. This project provided an opportunity for homeless youth to have their voices heard directly by Mayor Marty Walsh.
This first event of its type brought together Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Public Health Commissioner Barbara Ferrer (health and safety), Gail Harris-Forbes of the Re-Engagement Center (education), Danielle Ferrer of ReDiscovery (housing), Jon Feinman of InnerCity Weightlifting (jobs), and Eugene Johnson (homeless youth representative). There was a panel presentation to Mayor Walsh of feedback collected from the youth in workshops followed by a question and answer period moderated by Rev. Liz Walker.
The event was in partnership with Boston Youth Services Network (BYSN – a collaboration of 15 youth focused community organizations), Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), and the Mayor’s Youth Office. Additional collaboration was provided by numerous organizations including PIC (the Private Industry Council), the NAACP, the Boston Public Health Commission, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Foster Skills, the Massachusetts Department of Health, and URevolution. The Catered Affair provided breakfast and lunch for the attending youth.
Homeless Youth Facts
The population of unaccompanied homeless young people, ages 14 to 22, living on the streets and in shelters across Massachusetts is growing at alarming rates. According to a 2012 State House News Service report, the figure is hard to quantify because homeless teenagers often hide their status, going uncounted. Shame is the predominant reason they hide being homeless, while others fear they will be sent to foster care. Additionally, some homeless youth try to protect their parents by keeping their homelessness hidden.
Many youth wind up on the streets because of family strife, or often because of their sexual orientation. MassEquality, estimates 20 to 40 percent of the homeless youth population is gay, lesbian or bisexual.