With the state’s unemployment numbers skyrocketing and homelessness rates likely to rise, Breaktime quickly adapted its model to meet local public health needs.
Collaborating with the city and a job services nonprofit, the cofounders launched Breaktime’s Double Impact Initiative.
Throughout 2020 the program trained and employed 25 young adults experiencing homelessness to prepare and serve the equivalent of 650,000 healthy meals to families across Boston. Meanwhile, Schoen and Shu were balancing full-time, remote school. “I have my school papers on the right, my Breaktime papers on the left, and toggle between classes,” says Shu.
THEIR PANDEMIC PIVOT
Two major lessons emerged: “We learned that the tools and resources to create transformative social change already exist, and they just need to be coordinated in the right way,” says Schoen. “We also learned that empowering a young person to see themselves as a change agent is life changing.”
Breaktime associates’ feedback is central to its development, like hearing from one young man who was homeless for six years and lives with depression, PTSD and anxiety. “He said his mindset has completely shifted because he’s been able to help people,” says Shu. “The stereotype of people receiving help is they need other people's help, whereas jobs at Breaktime have enabled them to use their skills and talents to give back.”
Building on last year’s work, associates are filling roles at local job site partners like food pantries while receiving $16 per hour wages and benefits such as matched savings and one-on-one financial and career counseling.
Today, Shu and Schoen are focused on growing their team of 13, supporting more young people in their careers and expanding partnerships. Breaktime is also one of over 100 partners working on a long-term plan to end youth and young adult homelessness in Boston.
Crediting a shared passion for
DOUBLING DOWN ON IMPACT
A year into the pandemic, Schoen says Breaktime is now faced with another urgent need: “We have unprecedented levels of young adult unemployment.”
“And we're hearing from so many organizations that labor is their largest limiting factor. Breaktime’s path to scale is not scaling up our own operation, but rather partnering with other organizations that need this young workforce.”
public service, the pair says they’ve forged a strong friendship and an unwavering commitment to making jobs accessible. “We envision a world where every young person, regardless of their background, has the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.”
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Through Breaktime’s Double Impact Initiative, designed to address food insecurity in Boston, associates have served over 600,000 pounds of fresh food to residents in need.
Shu & Schoen Share Why Flexibility & Innovation Is Crucial
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