New England Center for Homeless Veterans (Vets)
Updated: October 3, 2011
Come join the Back on My Feet Team at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. [Map here]
Facility Information
The Mission of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans is to extend a helping hand to homeless men and women veterans who are addressing the challenges of:
- Addiction
- Trauma
- Severe and persistent mental illness, and/or
- Unemployment
Men and women must commit themselves to sobriety, non-violence, and working for personal change. We are recognized as one of the most effective private veteran's transition programs in the country. The New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, founded in 1990, offers a residential program with a three-tiered structure: Cot Squad, Transitional Housing and Single Room Occupancy. In addition, they offer supportive services such as Education and Employment, and Health Care and Financial/Legal Services to our veterans. Their substance-free shelter is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, serving our men and women veterans. Since inception, they have served over 12,000 veterans. They also provide three healthy meals daily and served more than 230,000 meals in 2004.
Team Information
Meeting Location: 17 Court Street, Boston, MA [Map here]
When do we run?: We start at 5:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and finish by 7 a.m. Saturday runs start at 7 a.m. from the same location (start at 3 miles) after one month.
How long are runs?: Runs will start at one mile and build as members gain greater fitness.
Want to Join?
Sign up for an orientation.
Featured Boston Chapter Non Res Member of the Month: Jamie Charles
Name: Jamie Michael Charles
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A Boston-resident for the past five years.
Occupation: Assistant District Attorney at Middlesex District Attorney's Office
Number of Years Running: Forever. I can't even remember how long.
Favorite Race: Hyannis Half Marathon
Why he runs for Back on My Feet Boston: I run for the members of my team. In the blistering heat or freezing cold, rain, wind or snow, our res members show up in the early morning darkness to log mile after mile.
For our team, being a part of Back on My Feet is a badge of honor. I've seen this organization turn countless lives around, but success requires dedication and perserverence. BoMF doesn't do handouts; our members own their success and are stronger for it. At the same time, they know that our volunteers are 100% committed to helping them get back on their feet.
For me, Team Vets is a family. It's impossible not to be invested in our res members' achievements and failures. Not every story is a success, and every loss resonates, but the joy I feel when one of our vets leaves us for bigger and better things is indescribable.
