As with our shelter approach, BOSS provides intensive on-site service support at all transitional houses to help people make progress out of poverty and into safe and stable permanent housing. In Center, First Place Fund for Youth, Alameda Base Closure Group, and others. The goal of BOSS's Social Justice strategy is to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and build civil society by involving impacted communities in organizing and advocacy to affect social justice. BOSS provides a wide variety of support services intended to address these and other health needs, including financial and social health. Alongside other nonprofits and public agencies, BOSS provides services, showers, meals, socialization, and respite to the homeless and disalbed.
Staff help participants obtain needed care, apply for disability benefits, and access peer support.
In addition, BOSS makes appropriate health referrals and works with doctors and therapists to monitor medications and ensure that participants access needed care. Services include on-site support groups, creation and monitoring of recovery plans, clean and sober social activities, and referrals to residential treatment. Staff provide prevention and treatment education, counseling, and referrals, including referrals to BOSS's three AIDS houses in Berkeley and Oakland when space is available. To meet their needs, BOSS offers family counseling, parent support groups, children's activities, referrals to health care, and support with parent-teacher conferencing and school issues. Our Role Since our inception in 1971, BOSS has played an important role in the fight against poverty and homelessness.