Our History

In the late 1960s, a dedicated group of women, teachers who were members of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Boston, began reaching out to disaffected, troubled, and often drug-involved youth on the Boston Common and in Cambridge, which had become gathering places for young people who had no place else to go.

At first, the Bridge founders provided sandwiches, cold drinks, and non-judgmental conversations that turned into supportive counseling, referrals to health care, psychiatric services, a way back home if possible, and planning for alternatives when going home was not an option.

Yet, by 1970, it was clear that traditional services weren’t going to work for this new and growing homeless population. Bridge Over Troubled Waters was formed, under the pioneering leadership of Sister Barbara Whelan, Sister Marie Keough, and Sister Barbara Scanlon.

Collaborating with a group of physicians from Massachusetts General Hospital, Bridge organized a volunteer-run mobile medical van to bring emergency and preventive health care to the streets. They were at the forefront of a national movement to develop innovative programs and practices to reach the most vulnerable, high-risk youth and provide the age-appropriate continuum of care that could enable them to transform their lives and grow into fulfilled, self-sufficient adulthood.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters became – and after more than 50 years remains – a national model and program incubator for youth development services that are effective in helping the most troubled and vulnerable homeless youth to turn their lives around.

Bridge Timeline

1960s

A small but energetic group of staff and volunteers offer free and confidential services to homeless young people on the streets of Boston

1970s

Bridge’s Mobile Medical Van and Street Outreach Program become national models.

1982

Bridge becomes one of only nine service agencies in the nation to offer transitional living residences to its clients.

1989

The Single Parent House opens for parenting young adults and up to two of their children.

1998

Bridge develops the Transitional Day Program: a drop-in resource for youth to visit during the daytime

2010

Bridge opens Boston’s only emergency youth shelter, the Emergency Residence, where youth can live for up to 6 months.

2011

The Warming Center is established during the coldest months of the year to provide emergency overnight accommodations.

2017

Bridge renovates and expands the Transitional Residence in Brighton to provide 28 units of supportive housing for youth and single mothers experiencing homelessness through our Transitional Living Program and Single Parent House.

2018

Bridge expands the Welcome Center (formerly the Warming Center) to operate year-round, instead of seasonally, providing emergency overnight accommodations for youth experiencing homelessness.

2019

Bridge purchases and opens Liberty House, an apartment co-op that provides independent housing for young adults up to age 24.

2020

Bridge remained open and operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are between the ages of 14-24 and looking for help, call 617 423 9575

Bridge