My First Marathon: A Race towards Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness

Every April, Boston transforms into a celebration of resilience, determination, and community as runners from around the world take on the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon. This year, I’m honored to join them, fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine while supporting the critical work of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (campaign linked here). In addition to being a source of inspiration for Breaktime’s work, BHCHP is an important partner. As we announced recently, Breaktime is partnering with BHCHP to open a clinic at Breaktime’s new building specifically for young adults ages 18-24 experiencing housing insecurity.

Our goal as an organization has always been to break the cycle of homelessness, preventing chronic homelessness by setting young adults on a path toward long-term stability. The primary care, behavioral/mental health, and sexual health services offered by this clinic will help immensely in achieving this mission.

As I train for this marathon and raise funds for BHCHP and this clinic, I have been reflecting on the intersection between homelessness and health care—and how vital organizations like BHCHP are in addressing these challenges. That’s why I’m using each mile of my run to highlight 26 important facts about youth homelessness, with a special focus on health.

26 Facts for 26(.2) Miles

1. Over 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year in the U.S.?
2. Youth experiencing homelessness are at higher risk for chronic health conditions.
3. 1 in 10 young adults aged 18-25 experience homelessness in a given year.
4. LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers.
5. Lack of stable housing increases barriers to accessing medical care.
6. Unhoused youth have a higher risk of mental health disorders, including depression and PTSD.
7. The average age a youth first experiences homelessness is just 14 years old.
8. Many homeless youth avoid seeking medical help due to stigma and discrimination.
9. 73% of homeless youth report experiencing trauma before becoming homeless.
10. BHCHP provides medical, dental, and behavioral health care for over 11,000 homeless individuals annually.
11. BHCHP runs an in-house pharmacy to ensure patients have access to necessary medications, regardless of their housing situation.
12. Unstable housing contributes to higher rates of asthma and respiratory illnesses.
13. Many unhoused youth rely on emergency rooms for primary care, increasing healthcare costs.
14. Unhoused youth face significant barriers to accessing reproductive health services.
15. Homeless women face a higher risk of complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and lack of prenatal care.
16. BHCHP offers specialized care for women experiencing homelessness, including prenatal care, gynecological services, and maternal health support.
17. Unhoused youth often face multiple barriers to healthcare, including transportation, affordability, and stigma, leaving many health issues untreated until they become emergencies.
18. Unaccompanied homeless youth often struggle to obtain insurance or medical assistance.
19. BHCHP advocates for policies to improve healthcare access for unhoused individuals and trains medical professionals to provide trauma-informed care.
20. BHCHP’s Street Team provides care directly to individuals living in unsheltered environments.
21. Youth aging out of foster care are at an increased risk of experiencing homelessness.
22. Many homeless youth live in "hidden homelessness," couch-surfing rather than staying in shelters.
23. Without intervention, homeless youth are at higher risk of long-term housing instability.
24. Breaktime provides transitional employment to help young adults gain financial stability and independence.
25. BHCHP provides comprehensive healthcare services, including primary care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and specialty care.
26. By supporting programs like BHCHP, we can ensure that no young person has to choose between health and housing.

Every step of this race is an opportunity to shed light on the realities of youth homelessness and the critical need for accessible healthcare. BHCHP provides life-saving care to thousands of individuals every year, ensuring that no one has to face these challenges alone.

As I cross the finish line, my hope is that these 26 facts inspire action. As I push through these final weeks of training, please consider supporting my marathon campaign here. When we invest in health, housing, and opportunity, we don’t just change individual lives—we break the cycle of homelessness for good.

References:

1. Chapin Hall. Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America. 2017, https://www.chapinhall.org/research/missed-opportunities-youth-homelessness-in-america/.
2. National Network for Youth. Policy and Issue Briefs. https://nn4youth.org/.?
3. The Trevor Project. LGBTQ Youth Homelessness. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.
4. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Youth Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/.?
5. Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). Our Work. https://www.bhchp.org/.