Residential Program
This structured program, which has three levels, leads homeless veterans from crisis situations to self-sufficiency and independence. These stages constitute a comprehensive "continuum of residential care."

Level 1
The "Cot Squad" - veterans are provided with intensive counseling to address and resolve immediate personal issues. The "Cot Squad" provides services to prepare each homeless veteran for the Shelter's reintegration program. Each veteran is given a thorough assessment and evaluation and a determination is made whether or not there is a need for more intensive medical care. Working with the intake staff, veterans are provided with the proper immediate care.

Level 2
The "Transitional Housing Program" - provides clients with a more comfortable living environment. Clients must either be working or enrolled in a training or educational program to enter this component. The program's focus concentrates on financial management and the search for permanent housing. Clients are required to develop personal savings plans and address/resolve personal debts. This program rewards clients for the work they have done and prepares them for the transition to self-sufficiency.

Level 3
The "SROs" - 59 project-based single room occupancy (SRO) permanent units housed within the John Joseph Moakley Veterans Quarters located at the shelter. At any given time, we have a 98 percent occupancy rate within these quarters for veterans who have successfully completed our Transitional Housing program.

Supportive Services
To assist the reintegrative process within each stage of the residential program, the Shelter has developed a comprehensive range of supportive services available to program participants. These services are designed to address the unique needs of homeless veterans. Services include:

Specialized Counseling:
The services address a variety of issues such as substance abuse, mental health, combat and non-combat related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), financial assistance and family reconciliation.

Case Management Services:
A qualified case manager is provided to all residential program participants ensuring that specific needs are addressed and an individualized program is devised for each person.

Medical Program:
The Shelter has the facilities to provide 24-hour emergency medical care for all residents. Additionally, there is an in-house, full-service eye, medical and dental clinic which monitors and provides preventive and on-going medical care.

Supply Service:
Through access of donated items, the Shelter provides clothing and toiletries to veterans at no cost.

Job Placement Program:
This in-house program offers specialized vocational counseling, job development and job coaching services for veterans.

Housing Program:
Assistance to veterans is provided to those residents who are prepared to move to self-sufficiency in identifying and accessing affordable housing.

Community Partnerships
The Shelter has developed innovative collaboratives to fill gaps in supportive services by leveraging resources within the Greater Boston community. Partnerships include: comprehensive legal services provides by the Shelter Legal Services Foundation d/b/a Veterans Legal Service Project, a group of Boston area law student from Suffolk University, Boston College, and New England School of Law; a complete on-site Dental Clinic coordinated with volunteers from Harvard Pilgrim and Harvard Vanguard Health Care; a full-service Eye Clinic operated through a unique partnership with the New England College of Optometry; and weekly Medical Clinics which provide physician-based care to on-VA eligible veterans operated by the Boston's Alliance for the Homeless in coordination with physicians from the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. These services were established as a direct result of the Shelter's extensive experience and recognized leadership in serving the homeless community. The design and comprehensive nature of these programs are a response to the recognized gaps in care for homeless veterans within the greater Boston area.

Veterans Training School
An important part of our mission is to extend a helping hand to homeless men and women who face significant challenges to employment. The goal of the Veterans Training School is to significantly reduce unemployment through a comprehensive vocational training program leading to full employment. The goal of the Veterans Training School and Institute is to significantly reduce unemployment through a comprehensive vocational training program leading to full employment.