Breaktime (organization)

Breaktime is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Boston, Massachusetts which works to reduce young adult homelessness through transitional employment.[1][2]

This article is about the non-profit organization. For other uses, see Breaktime (disambiguation).

Breaktime
Founded2018 (2018)
FoundersConnor Schoen and Tony Shu
Type501(c)(3) organization
Headquarters170 Portland St, Boston, MA 02114
Location
Coordinates42.36404°N 71.06192°W / 42.36404; -71.06192
Websitebreaktime.org

Breaktime employs young adults experiencing homelessness in living wage job opportunities. The organization provides its program participants with job training, job placement and then years of support.[3] During 2020, the company employed 25 young adults experiencing homelessness,[1] who worked to address food insecurity in the community, preparing and delivering over 650,000 meals[4] to people experiencing food insecurity throughout Greater Boston.[5]

Cofounders Connor Schoen and Tony Shu were honored in the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 listing for Breaktime's social impact in reducing young adult homelessness.[1]

History

Cofounders Schoen and Shu met as Harvard undergraduate students while working at the homeless shelter, Y2Y, in Harvard Square.[2]

Schoen and Shu founded Breaktime in 2018.[6] Breaktime became Boston’s first transitional employment program specifically tailored to young adults experiencing homelessness. The organization is led by a team of young adults.[7]

Programs

Yearlong Program

Breaktime's yearlong program consists of workplace training, followed by a three-month job placement at a nonprofit or small business, in addition to credit counseling. Breaktime provides support for many young adults experiencing homelessness who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or were raised in the foster care system.[8] Breaktime provides support for its program graduates for many years after graduation as well.[3]

Breaktime is partnered with a dozen small businesses where participants in Breaktime's program work, filling labor shortages.[9]

Double Impact Initiative

In collaboration with the Community Works Service in Boston, Breaktime launched the Double Impact Initiative in response to the global pandemic. This program employs young adults experiencing homelessness to make and distribute meals for Bostonians experiencing food insecurity.[10][7] The young adult associates work at local job sites like food pantries while also receiving above-minimum wages with matched savings and career counseling.[4]

Participants (associates) in Breaktime's program attend a 3 week training program to explore their skills and potential career paths. After completing training, associates work at a three-month job placement site with a small business or nonprofit. Upon graduation, associates continue to receive nine months of regular check-ins and financial counseling and support from Breaktime.[11]

According to Breaktime, 83% of program alumni are working and are in school compared to 12% prior to Breaktime. Breaktime alumni experience a 33% increase in wages and 77% of our alumni are now in stable housing.[11]

Fundraising and partnerships

Breaktime is a part of the City of Boston's long term plan, "Rising to the Challenge," to end young adult homelessness in Boston[4] and is one of the 54 recipients of the City of Boston's 2022 Youth Development Fund which provides $1.25 million in funding for youth and young adult violence prevention.[12]

Breaktime is backed by supporters including the City of Boston,[13] Liberty Mutual,[1] Black Rock,[1] Boston Resiliency Fund,[13][2] The American Heart Association,[14] Born This Way Foundation, Forest Foundation, William and Anngenette Tyler Fidelity Fund, MassMutual Foundation, John Hancock, Riley Foundation, and Martin Richard Foundation[5]

Breaktime is also partnered with organizations including the Cape Verdean Association of Boston,[2] Jewish Family & Children's Services,[2] Project Hope,[2] and Sojourner House.[2]

References
  1. "Breaktime". Forbes. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. Parsons, Lian (September 9, 2020). "Breaktime Café prepares, delivers meals amid pandemic". The Harvard Gazette. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  3. Merril, Kate. "It Happens Here: West End nonprofit helps young homeless adults get a new start". CBS News. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. Militare, Jessica (March 23, 2021). "Empowering Young People and Feeding Families". Forbes. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  5. Ward, Bob (June 18, 2020). "Boston youth-led organization fighting homelessness gets support from Martin Richard Foundation". Boston 25 News. Cox Media Group. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  6. Doyle, Terrence. "These Harvard Undergrads Plan to Open a Cafe to Help Homeless Young Adults Find Job Security". Eater Boston. Vox Media. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  7. Campbell, Emma (August 31, 2020). "This youth-led startup is working to employ Boston's homeless young adults". BostInno. American City Business Journals. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  8. Oliver, Meg. "Nonprofit aims to end cycle of youth homelessness with job training". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  9. Johnston, Katie (February 13, 2023). "With job vacancies high, employers seek out workers they might have previously passed over". Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  10. Tarantal, Erika (September 17, 2020). "5 for Good: Double Impact Program trains young adults, provides meals to those in need". WCVB. Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  11. Tran, Susan. "Boston Nonprofit Aims to Fight Homelessness in LGBTQ Young People". NBC Boston. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  12. "Recipients of the 2022 Youth Development Fund Grants Announced". City of Boston. Boston City Hall. October 29, 2021.
  13. "Ending Youth and Young Adult Homelessness". City of Boston. Boston City Hall. November 24, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  14. Camire, Chris. "Harvard grad who launched non-profit to employ Boston's homeless youth up for American Heart Association grant". American Heart Association. American Heart Association, Inc. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
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