top of page

BOSTON COLLEGE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

Justice through

Education

EduBannertop.png

Fall 2025

Annual 4Boston Teach-In

Bringing Homelessness in Contact with Boston College

What is the 4Boston

Teach-In?

Every year, 4Boston, the largest regular service organization at Boston College, hosts its Annual Teach-In. The event features guest speakers who help contextualize the conditions of the service of the 400+ student volunteers who are part of 4Boston.

 

In alignment with the theme of the event, “Boston,” our breakout sessions provided a wide-ranging view of homelessness in Boston and background for the service of the attendees. From the discussion of healthcare delivery design to the analysis of the impact of policy changes, we brought Boston College back in contact with the issue of homelessness.

Our Breakout Sessions

We were honored to deliver four presentations on the following topics:

  • The Foot Clinic Model and Homeless Healthcare

  • The Value of Narrative in Service and Clinical Research Processes

  • Federal Funding Patterns for Homeless Services in Boston

  • Food Insecurity and Homelessness in Boston

BCCHEDU.png

SPRING 2025

Stories from the Shelter Launch

Interviewing Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Providing a New Narrative

At the Stories from the Shelter Launch, BC Coalition for the Homeless officially published the “Stories from the Shelter” pamphlet, a collection of interviews with unhoused youth in Boston. “Stories from the Shelter” provides a critical narrative insight into the experience of youth homelessness and features unmistakable calls to action to do more for one’s community. We were also delighted to host Nancy Armstrong, Chief Program Officer at Women’s Lunch Place, who discussed the vitality of homeless healthcare and the necessity of community support in homelessness.

DSC08670_edited.jpg

Beyond the data, there are the voices. Hear the compelling, raw, and hopeful narratives of individuals navigating homelessness

Stories

from

the

shelter

PROJECT

"I JUST FEEL A STRENGTH FROM HARDSHIP."

Jance, a classically trained artist, describes the shock and immediate needs of her first few nights unhoused. Her story highlights the immediate need for security and dignity.

View the Exhibit

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS MY FAMILY."

Laura, a Boston native, describes navigating medical care and recovery while unhoused. Her story highlights the need for accessible healthcare, language support, and dignity.

Read Laura's Full Story
View the Exhibit

“I’VE BEEN WELL-EDUCATED MY ENTIRE LIFE.”

Peyton reflects that being “well-educated” still wasn’t enough, revealing how structural barriers leave unhoused youth struggling alone.

Read Peyton's Full Story
View the Exhibit

"YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT. YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW THE PEOPLE."

TJ, a Boston native pursuing architecture, challenges assumptions about education and understanding. His story emphasizes the importance of lived experience and human connection.

Read TJ's Full Story
View the Exhibit

“[...] I DIDN’T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR HELP. NOT EVERYONE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.”

Eric reflects on uncertainty and limited access to help while navigating life in his twenties.

Read Eric's Full Story
View the Exhibit
Untitled design-94.png

FALL 2024

ROUGH SLEEPERS:

A PANEL EVENT ON HEALTHCARE FOR UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS

Untitled design-59.png

Featuring Dr. Jim O’Connell, Melissa Hector, and Katie Hayward, the Rough Sleepers Panel provided critical insight about homeless healthcare for aspiring healthcare professionals. By focusing on housing as a social determinant of health, the effective delivery of healthcare to homeless populations, and career pathways to homeless healthcare, the panelists both situated homeless healthcare in the policy environment of housing and provided thoughtful guidance for what it means to be a provider for unhoused individuals.  

Preparing Professionals

For the Future

DSC07080.JPG
1.png
Dr. Jim O’Connell

President
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

2.png
Melissa Hector

Director of Equitable and Strategic Initiatives
Boston Public Health Commission

3.png
Katie Hayward

AmeriCorps Program Director at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless

bottom of page