Supportive Housing
Crittenton Women's Union helps approximately 160 formerly homeless families gain their footing and build economically stable and secure lives in their own homes. CWU's multi-unit Abbot House is an innovative supportive housing model for 11 young families, each with their own apartment. CWU's Bridge program provides support services to nearly 150 families in subsidized housing in neighborhoods throughout Boston.
Abbot House - a supportive housing model
CWU's Abbot House program for young mothers and their children provides a constellation of supports designed to help families newly transitioned to permanent housing acquire economic self-sufficiency skills. Located in Dorchester, Mass., the CWU-owned Abbot House consists of 11 one- and two-bedroom apartments with community and children's play spaces for activities and events. Families residing in Abbot House apartments receive state housing subsidies toward their rent while completing the two-year program.
Working with their case managers, the young mothers create personalized economic self-sufficiency plans, setting education, career, and financial goals and focusing on developing the habits of a responsible tenant. Families can participate in CWU's education and workforce development programs—GED and the Economic Mobility Initiative—and in our Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families program for first-time parents 20 years old or older. They also can take advantage of one-on-one education and career counseling sessions.
Abbot House families create a community network—sharing resources, trading information, offering suggestions, and celebrating successes. Children at Abbot House can take part in play groups and other activities as well as receive individual academic tutoring.
At the end of two years, an Abbot House program participant will have:
- Established a record as a responsible tenant
- Create and successfully managed a household budget
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Demonstrated progress towards economic self-sufficiency by any of the following:
- Receiving a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Admission to and/or completion of a college or certificate program
- Contribution to a savings account or reduction of debt
- Meeting the eligibility criteria for CWU's CFO program
Who is eligible for Abbot House
CWU's Abbot House serves single mothers, 18- to 24-years old, and their children. Families transition from CWU's Hastings House congregate housing site.
bridge program
CWU's Bridge program assists nearly 150 families who have recently moved out of a CWU shelter into permanent housing in neighborhoods throughout Boston. The families receive 12 months of state-subsidized services designed to help them establish their new homes and build economically stable and secure lives.
The families learn to navigate their new neighborhoods, access locally available resources, and develop the habits of responsible tenants. They also continue to work with their CWU case managers on their economic self-sufficiency plans. Families can participate in any of CWU's education and workforce development programs— GED and the Economic Mobility Initiative—and in our Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families program for first-time parents20 years old or younger.
Who is eligible for the Bridge program
Families from any of CWU's emergency and transitional housing programs.
