Y2Y: A Bold Experiment

A feature-length documentary film following Y2Y (Young Adults Uniting to End Homelessness).

Sarah and Sam try out the new bunks before Y2Y's official opening

In 2015, Y2Y embarked on a bold experiment with the creation of a 22-bed young-adult homeless shelter in Harvard Square (Cambridge MA) staffed by volunteer university students the same ages as their homeless guests. Blueberry Hill Productions has exclusive access to document Y2Y’s obstacles, hard choices, and triumphs over the next decade as homeless young adults and idealistic university students work together to create a safe environment for an extremely vulnerable population, and explore the possibility of replicating their efforts in other cities where hundreds of young people are currently sleeping on the streets. (In 2022, a new Y2Y shelter is being built in New Haven, Connecticut.)

Y2Y Data director Needham Hurst amidst the shelter's construction

Y2Y Data director Needham Hurst amidst the shelter's construction

DP Austin de Besche filming Y2Y co-directors Sarah Rosenkrantz and Sam Greenberg

DP Austin de Besche filming Y2Y co-directors Sarah Rosenkrantz and Sam Greenberg

Renovation blueprints for the Y2Y Harvard Square shelter

Renovation blueprints for the Y2Y Harvard Square shelter

Sam Greenberg and Sarah Rosencrantz are interviewed in the new Y2Y space

Sam Greenberg and Sarah Rosencrantz are interviewed in the new Y2Y space

A policy meeting with the Y2Y staff

A policy meeting with the Y2Y staff

Y2Y Data director Needham Hurst amidst the shelter's construction

DP Austin de Besche filming Y2Y co-directors Sarah Rosenkrantz and Sam Greenberg

Renovation blueprints for the Y2Y Harvard Square shelter

Sam Greenberg and Sarah Rosencrantz are interviewed in the new Y2Y space

A policy meeting with the Y2Y staff

Y2Y began as the dream of two college sophomores, Sam Greenberg and Sarah Rosenkrantz, who were working 30+ hours per week in the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, which provides shelter, food, clothing, hygiene facilities, and personalized case management to 24 adults nightly.

Sam and Sarah realized there was a gaping hole in the system: a lack of safe homeless shelter space for young adults. While all homeless populations are vulnerable, young adults are especially at risk.

Against all odds, Sam and Sarah created Y2Y while still undergraduates. They assembled a board of advisors that includes some of the best service providers in the Boston area and numerous top scholars from around the world.

They also solicited the input of homeless youth in Cambridge who are now on Y2Y’s Young Adult Advisory Council.

Chronicling this bold experiment is exciting -- and important.Y2Y effectively provides homeless youth with a safe place to sleep -- and also provides them with many other resources they need to succeed. The Y2Y network is increasingly focusing on creating sustainable pathways out of homelessness and into permanent housing. It is also helping its guests develop skills for long-term success.