Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge)

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, which describes itself as Boston’s foremost agency for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, serves young people ages 14 to 24. Its programs aim to take youth from moments of crisis to a self-sufficient young adulthood, combining immediate help with longer-term support. Young people can drop in for survival aid, see a counselor, finish school, prepare for work and get help with the documents they need.

The Welcome Center offers hot meals, showers, lockers and laundry, while the Transitional Day Program adds life skills workshops, community meals and case managers who help youth obtain identification, transcripts and other documents. The Education and Career Development team runs high school equivalency classes with small class sizes, flexible schedules and rolling admission, and provides college guidance. Behavioral health therapists set up follow-up counseling after an initial intake.

What to Know

• Bridge’s President and CEO, Elisabeth Jackson, has given a TEDxBoston talk on youth homelessness.
• The organization recently celebrated 24 graduates in its Class of 2026.
• Program Director Peter Ducharme has discussed the Millionaires’ Club program on Boston Neighborhood Network.
• Bridge depends on donations from individuals and organizations.