Homeless shelters?

[turil.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm going to be homeless in a bit more than a week, and I'm wondering if there is a shelter in the area that might actually be not too depressing to stay in. Anyone have any experience with them? I know nothing about them, other than having been given a list of ones in the Boston area by the psych emergency department at the Cambridge Health Alliance hospital a while back.

Any recommendations or advice on the shelter system would be greatly appreciated! :-)

Comments

Harvard Square

[ssachs.livejournal.com]

St. James doesn't start, usually, until late June. But the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, also run by Phillips Brooks, should be open for, I think, another few weeks. It's the one in the basement of the Lutheran church on Winthrop St. Last time I volunteered there (and now we're talking 6-7 years ago) it was in very good repair, brightly lit and with a nice paint job, etc. From what little knowledge I have of homeless shelters, I'd say it's quite non-depressing compared to the rest of them. They also had (and might still have?) a program that gives you a steady bed for like 2 weeks or so.

There's also Shelter, Inc., which I've never been to but is legendary for being a really good shelter. Probably has long wait lists, though.

Good luck! I hope something comes through.

Re: Harvard Square

[birdiefan1.livejournal.com]

I got a chance to see the shelter run by students in the Lutheran church and the staff there seem really upbeat. I believe that you can get a bed there for two weeks but then you need to leave for a set amount of time.

I volunteer at CASPAR, which is over near MIT, but it is rather depressing (a lot of regulars) and it's only for people with substance use issues so I don't think it's what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Re: Harvard Square

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

Hey! You used to run the one at St James', didn't you? (I used to run the food pantry there.) Hi!

Re: Harvard Square

[ssachs.livejournal.com]

hey! what do you know. yeah, that was me. i was just thinking about the place yesterday. haven't been there in ages. are you still doing the food pantry?