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Warming Center Helps Boston Teens Get Off The Streets

BOSTON (CBS) - For the past 43 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided services for the homeless youth of Boston. Located across from the Boston Common with a staff of 45, their warming center is open every night offering more than just a place to sleep.

"We average about 100 kids a day that come to our program," says Elisabeth Jackson, the Executive Director of Bridge. "They come for counseling, get a shower, get something to eat, come to our residential programs, use GED services."

For four months between December and April, it will cost the organization $120,000 to keep the warming center open.

"We teach them every step what it means to be self-sustainable," Jackson says.

The United Way is just one of the corporations working to support the program financially.

"When people see a youth on the street, they might not realize what is going on in that person's life," says Mike Durkin, president of the United Way. "They need a place to stay, they need food, they need the resources in their whole life, and they need people and organizations that are going to help."

For more information visit supportunitedway.org or BrigdeOTW.org.

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