Youth On Fire

Youth On Fire is a Cambridge drop-in center for homeless and street-involved young people ages 14 to 24. It offers a welcoming, non-judgmental place to meet basic needs, with hot meals, clothing, showers and laundry facilities on site. Because the behaviors young people rely on to survive on the street can raise their risk of HIV, the center pairs that practical support with prevention information on HIV, STDs, hepatitis C and other diseases tied to high-risk behavior.

The center also addresses physical and mental health directly, offering weekly medical care, mental health counseling and referrals to community resources. Its ultimate goal is to help as many young people as possible lead healthy lives, remain HIV-negative and find greater stability through permanent housing, employment or school. The program was part of Cambridge Cares About AIDS, and its listing now points to AIDS Action, which became part of Fenway Health in 2013.

What to Know

• Youth On Fire opened in the fall of 2000.
• The center is open five days a week.
• AIDS Action is New England’s largest provider of services to people living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk.
• AIDS Action also runs a needle exchange and overdose prevention program.