Breaktime (organization)

Breaktime is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Boston, Massachusetts dedicated to ending young adult homelessness through transitional employment.
Breaktime employs young adults experiencing homelessness in living wage job opportunities. In 2020, Breaktime employed 25 young adults experiencing homelessness who worked to address food insecurity, preparing and delivering over 650,000 meals to people experiencing food insecurity throughout Greater Boston.
Cofounders Connor Schoen and Tony Shu were honored in the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 listing for Breaktime's social impact in reducing young adult homelessness.
History.
Cofounders Schoen and Shu met as Harvard undergraduate students while working at the homeless shelter, Y2Y, in Harvard Square. 
Schoen and Shu founded Breaktime in 2018 and planned to build a cafe to employ young adults experiencing homelessness. Breaktime became Boston’s first transitional employment program specifically tailored to young adults experiencing homelessness. The organization is led by a team of young adults.
Programs.
Breaktime Cafe.
Breaktime originally planned to open Breaktime Cafe to provide job opportunities for young adults experiencing homelessness. The cafe would provide a place for associates to learn about the food business while receiving employment. During COVID-19, Breaktime paused construction of the Cafe and launched the Double Impact Initiative, a program that contributed to their mission of working toward ending young adult homelessness while also addressing food insecurity caused by the pandemic.
Double Impact Initiative.
In collaboration with the Community Works Service in Boston, Breaktime launched the Double Impact Initiative in response to the global pandemic. This program employs young adults experiencing homelessness to make and distribute meals for Bostonians experiencing food insecurity. Breaktime’s Double Impact Initiative helps underserved communities while providing work opportunities for young adults. The young adult associates work at local job sites like food pantries while also receiving wages of $16 per hour with matched savings.
Fundraising and Partnerships.
Breaktime is backed by the City of Boston, Liberty Mutual, Black Rock, Boston Resiliency Fund, Forest Foundation, William and Anngenette Tyler Fidelity Fund, MassMutual Foundation, John Hancock, Riley Foundation, Martin Richard Foundation, and more.
Additionally, Breaktime is partnered with the Cape Verdean Association of Boston, Jewish Family & Children's Services, Project Hope, Sojourner House, and more.