Youth Development

Damage from homelessness spreads outward, destroying lives, creating tragedies never imagined. School-age children and youth personify such a tragedy. The issue – homelessness – gets the attention, the children's emotional needs are ignored. However, research indicates that children in a supportive, stable community can heal from the traumas of homelessness.

Conceived in 1996, youth development programs at Brookview House have proven successful. Our youth programs serve 150 per year and the goal is to help school-age children (5.9 to 19 years old) recover from the trauma of homelessness and do well in school. Our success is measured by the numbers who improve behaviors, advance to the next grade and stay in school.

The Massachusetts Dept of Education reports an estimated 48,000 or more homeless students in the Commonwealth. Studies show homeless children are three times more likely than other children to have emotional or behavioral problems and they are twice as likely to have a learning disability. By age 12, 83% of homeless children had been exposed to at least one serious violent event. 

Without intervention:

• 75% will drop out of high school permanently
• Up to 53% will drop out of either elementary or middle school for an indefinite period of time
• 36% will repeat a grade.