Job Skills Training/Trades

United Brotherhood of Carpenters

GateHouse

The top two floors of Project Place's six-story building are dedicated to GateHouse, 14 studio apartments for homeless individuals who are making transitions in their lives. Residences are permanent, affordable housing in a sober, supportive community. During their stay tenants have the option to utilize Project Place services and programs including our wraparound support services to address barriers in finding and obtaining employment and housing. Tenants have either graduated from a program or are currently enrolled in one, are committed to sobriety and pay one-third of their income for rent.

Betty's Place

Housed in the YWCA's Berkeley Street residence, Betty's Place is a transitional housing program that can accommodate up to 15 women at one time. Residents are provided with Project Place programming and supports while making the transition from the emergency shelter system to independent living. Betty's provides each resident with a room of her own in a safe, clean environment and two meals a day. Residents also receive our wraparound support services to address barriers in finding and obtaining employment and housing. The average length of stay is six months.

HomePlate

HomePlate is a food preparation and services training program. Participants in this program help to operate our pushcart in downtown Boston, fulfill catering requests for corporate and private clients and prepare breakfast and lunch for Project Place clients and staff daily. All food is prepared in our in-house commercial kitchen. Clients in this program are primed to transfer directly into the food service industry and also graduate with comprehensive customer service and money handling skills. They also receive our wraparound support services to address barriers in finding and obtaining employment and housing. 

Wraparound Support Services

All Project Place clients receive the wraparound support services to address the various barriers they may encounter in finding and obtaining employment and housing. A comprehensive, yet personalized approach is utilized with each client to ensure that services meet the individual's needs. These include: Case Management, Career Services, Computer Training, Educational Services, Alumni Services. Read more here. For more information, contact: Kim Nuttall at 617.542.3740 or knuttall@projectplace.org.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)

This new employment, placement and training program provides tailored services specific to veterans. In addition to traditional case management and support services, clients are assessed for veteran’s benefit eligibility, provided referrals for specific needs and given assistance in obtaining discharge papers (DD214).

Client Assistance Programs

- Danielle Fund: Named to honor the life and memory of Danielle Ontra, this fund was created to support clients and alumni who are making strides to live independently and are committed to their recovery. Clients may apply for funds to alleviate financial burdens up to $500, paid directly to the source (landlord, school, etc.). Included in the application process is identification of the need, developing a budget to manage future expenses and explanation of how compliance of goals aligns with agency mission.

- MicroLoan Fund: A new program of Project Place, our MicroLoan Fund offers small financial loans to assist graduates in overcoming temporary obstacles to successful housing, education and/or employment. In addition, it helps them to develop a positive credit history. A committee comprised of graduates, staff, board and bank representatives, review applications and work with applicants to finalize their request and develop a repayment plan.

- Paul White Empowerment Fund: Established by his family in memory of Paul White, a long time friend and supporter of Project Place. The fund will assist persons served by Project Place to advance their education and/or employment goals. Grants will be given to clients for:

Tuition for GED, certificate or post secondary education
Books or supplies for educational purposes
Clothing for employment interviews
Other education or employment purposes which meet the goal of the fund 

Social Enterprises

Project Place prides itself on the entrepreneurial approach we take to solving social challenges. To help facilitate change in our clients' lives we run three businesses that provide paid employment to those overcoming homelessness. Our businesses also create a revenue stream for the agency that contributes to 20% of our operating budget while providing our clients with the skills and work experience needed to gain employment.

• Project Pepsi: a vending machine service business.
• Clean Corners... Bright Hopes: a facilities and outdoor maintenance service.
• HomePlate: a food services program, operating a pushcart in downtown Boston and offering catering to corporate and private clients. 

• Adult Education

• Civic Health Institute

• Financial Health
  Free tax preparation
  Financial Counseling
  Financial Coaching

• Recreation and Fitness
  Dorchester House Pool: Asthma Swim, Swim Lessons, Lifeguard Training, more
  Sports clinics: Basketball (Beantown Slam), Tennis,
  FANtastic Kids: Weight management program for ages 8-12
  Various recreational activities offered through Generation Next Academy/GNA Teen Center 

• Healthworks at Codman: Located at 450 Washington Street, this women and children's gym uses a variety of practices to ensure community health: sliding-scale memberships, 3-month "prescription" membership for overweight patients of Codman Square Health Center, personal training, nutritionist "interview" at intake, fun classes, special events and activities, friendly and informed staff 

• Youth Programs
  Community Health Career Internships: Summer health internships for teens. Daily schedule includes one hour of workshop time focused on key life skills areas including civic engagement, job readiness, financial literacy and wellness. Internships can include administrative, clinical, youth programming and recreation placements. 
  Skills for Life: Highly interactive class for teens combining lessons in personal finance with career exploration by making field trips to Harvard Business School, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and other organizations.

• Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative: The Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative (DFSI) is a multi-organizational partnership that connects three public elementary schools in central Dorchester with health and social service organizations, colleges, other enrichment groups, and parents.
  (You can find DFSI under "Youth and Family" on MyDorchester.)

• Generation Next Academy/GNA Teen Center: formerly the DotWell Teen Center, GNA is a place where youth ages 13-18 can gain the necessary skills to prepare for the future.
  (You can find GNA under "Youth and Family" on MyDorchester.)

The Youth to Health Careers Program: The Youth to Health Careers Program offers educational programs designed in such a way that a student can start in the 8th grade and continue through high school. Our model works because the teaching tools are designed by teens for teens. Four programs are offered: Introduction to Community Health and Health Careers Summer Enrichment Program Youth to Health Careers (Y2HC) Afterschool Program BAHEC Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Medical Interpreter Training Program Almost 30% of Boston residents were born outside of the United States and there are more than 140 different languages spoken in our neighborhoods. With the growing number of people in our city who speak a language other than English, there is an increasing demand for bilingual and bicultural interpreters in the healthcare setting. Two training options are available to meet the needs and capacity of the healthcare facility. 15-Hour Introductory Course 54-Hour Comprehensive Course