About Us

Brookview House is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1990. Our mission is to help homeless and at risk families learn the skills necessary to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. With sites in Roxbury and Dorchester, we provide a safe, community setting with customized services to give homeless moms and kids the help and skills they need to succeed.

When Brookview House opened its doors in 1990 two bedroom apartments rented for less than $600 and families – who are primarily women with kids -- were the smallest segment of the homeless population. Since then, much has changed. Family homelessness has escalated and faced with rents they cannot afford, families appeal to state agencies for shelter. Every night thousands of families live in shelters and the state has opened motels to accommodate the overflow.

SOCIAL IMPACT

• In 1990 Brookview had an innovative idea that offering housing coupled with support services for both moms and kids would get families out of the revolving door of homelessness. The innovative idea that started with sixteen moms and children has proven to be successful. Brookview House provides services to more than 300 moms and children per year with 75% leaving the ranks of homelessness permanently
• In 1996 Brookview created the first youth development program targeting homeless school-age children. This model transforms how we nurture, educate and engage homeless youth. Brookview collaborates with local universities and the MA Department of Education to serve more than 150 youth per year. Youth stay in school and thrive
• In 2008, with funding from the MA Dept of Education, Brookview expanded its youth development model to include behavioral health programs in the schools for homeless youth and other youth at risk of dropping out of school
• In 2009, Brookview received a grant from the federal Dept of Justice Office on Violence Against Women to establish the Dorchester Women’s Safety Network. The goal is to develop a network that bridges the gap between domestic violence programs and homeless shelters and increases the availability of transitional housing and services to women and children rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence.