Shelters
More Than a Room for the Night
At Catholic Charities Boston, our shelters provide a safe place to sleep for families and individuals in need–and much more.
Catholic Charities provides both temporary and permanent supportive residences for families and individuals working to get back on their feet and under their own roof. Each program is staffed 24/7 with qualified and trained workers to help provide safety and consistency to families and/or individuals who have most often experienced trauma, homelessness, food insecurity and abuse or neglect.
Case Managers assess the needs of the guests and together they determine the best path to rebuild, strengthen their families, and move toward self-sufficiency.
Referral-Based Programs
Residents are referred through the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities. Team members at each shelter guide each resident along their path to independent living.
From Seeking Shelter to Self-Sufficiency
Lamies and her family came to St. Ambrose Family Shelter after experiencing barriers to finding affordable housing. The St. Ambrose team worked with Lamies to to secure permanent housing and today Lamies and her family are thriving.
Our Shelters
Nazareth Residence – Roxbury
Nazareth Family Shelter provides an opportunity for homeless families to begin rebuilding their lives. Families maintain their independence while they transition to permanent housing. The community-like atmosphere, supportive services, and 24-hour staffing create a safe and secure environment. This program is equipped with several items for families that may be mobility impaired.
St. Ambrose Family Shelter – Dorchester
The St. Ambrose Family Shelter provides shelter, support, and hope for homeless families in transition. The shelter’s team is supported by a robust volunteer program staffed with students from local colleges and high schools. The shelter offers a variety of services to prepare families for successful and independent living as well as a comprehensive stabilization program and impactful community presence.
Families are referred through the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Team members at each shelter guide each resident along their path to independent living.
St. Patrick’s Shelter – Somerville
St. Patrick’s Shelter is an emergency shelter for homeless women. Guests receive referrals for health care, mental health services, educational services, and housing. They have a transitional program which helps guests move towards a better future.
Women in need of shelter contact the shelter directly at 617-628-3015 to determine vacancy. Staff will welcome the women and provide an assessment for barriers to housing, creating an individualized treatment plan to self-sufficiency.
Brigid’s Crossing – Lowell
Brigid’s Crossing serves young parents and families. The team at Brigid’s assists young parents to learn the value of responsibility and independence while helping them to achieve their goals. During their stay young parents receive assistance with educational placements, securing daycare resources for their child or children, parenting support and instruction, life skills training, medical resources, mental health care, and housing search assistance. Young parents are referred to this program through the Departments of Transitional Assistance and Children and Families.
Genesis II – Newton
Genesis II provides homeless mothers struggling to maintain sobriety with housing and inpatient treatment without them having to place their children in foster care. Guests receive assistance with housing, parenting skills, job readiness skills, budgeting, household management, nutritional planning, and medical care. The clinical team works with each family to provide them with both individual and family treatment planning. Guests are referred to this program through the Institute of Health and Recovery.
These shelters focus on keeping families together while targeting specific needs of the populations – providing support to those battling addiction, drug-impacted families, struggling young mothers, and more.
