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ServicesVan Outreach Teams of 5-10 volunteers and staff serve from 20-80 people who are homeless every Wednesday evening on the Boston Common and Thursday evening in Harvard Square, regardless of weather. During outreach, we check in with both old and new participants and provide food, clothing, first aid, counseling, and referral to services. Day Outreach Starlight staff does outreach four days a week in Downtown Crossing, the Boston Common, Copley Square, Dudley Square, and the South End. Staff seek to build trusting relationships with individuals who are often reluctant to access larger institutions like shelters. Through these relationships many have begun the transition off the street. Starlight Youth Outreach Starlight staff does outreach to youth who are homeless or at risk for homelessness in Boston and Cambridge five days a week, often in the afternoons and evenings, when youth are most likely to be on the streets. We offer critically needed age-appropriate services, food, clothing, and case management to youth and young adults who are homeless and street involved. Starlight Youth Outreach (formerly known as RYSE, Reaching Youth on the Streets) is one of only two programs (and the only Christian program) with paid staff providing street outreach in Boston and Cambridge for youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and the only program to provide outreach on Saturdays. Staff spend a lot of time in the places where youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness frequently gather, such as Harvard Square, Copley Square, Back Bay and Downtown Crossing. Through the efforts of Starlight Youth Outreach, three young adult participants have entered three different housing programs after experiencing a period of homelessness. Sanctuary, a new initiative of Starlight Youth Outreach, was launched in May 2007 at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Cambridge. Sanctuary, a weekly indoor arts community, builds upon the past success of Starlight Youth Outreach by taking the relationships formed on the streets to a deeper level by providing an environment to nurture, to inspire and to continue to walk alongside the youth with whom we already are working. Each Tuesday evening begins with a family-style meal and then progresses into arts workshops (guitar, Latin drumming, painting, creative writing, etc.), followed by “creative space” community time and then ends with contemplative tea-and-bread time. We allow youth to stay after we close (while staff and volunteers are cleaning up) to receive prayer. Our ultimate hope is that this community will be a bridge that leads many to Christ; that those who enter its doors will dream big while gaining a deeper understanding on their full potential and the unique plan that God has for their life. Opportunity Resource Center In November 2003, Starlight opened its Opportunity Resource Center at its office in the South End. The ORC provides a safe and supportive environment on Monday and Thursday afternoons where people who are homeless (or are at risk of becoming homeless or formerly were homeless) can meet with Starlight staff and trained volunteers and staff. We currently provide coffee, snacks, fellowship, clothing, a shower, Mass. Health sign up, free voice mail, case management, and resource information. Training and Technical Assistance Starlight offers bi-monthly training for people interested in becoming Starlight volunteers or learning about homelessness. Topics include substance abuse, mental health issues, youth outreach, relational ministry, and breaking stereotypes around homelessness. Starlight also trains small groups from churches to do effective relational outreach to people who are homeless. For information on upcoming trainings, check out the news section on our homepage. |
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