It was another incredible Sunday! We headed to Boston with the Boston Recovery Foundation volunteer outreach team. We served food, clothes, kindness, and smiles to over 100 people. We’ve built relationships with some of them over time, but there were also many new faces this week. We met a few people who had recently relapsed and shared their stories with us. Daniel had been sober for two years and relapsed two weeks ago. We provided him with food and clothes, but we also tal

The Boston Recovery Foundation at the Open Streets fair in Jamaica Plain. We were happy to meet many of our wonderful neighbors, including our very own Boston city counselor Ben Webber and his amazing team.

Thanks to our cofounder, Eddy Yang, we were able to team up with 20 amazing students from the Worcester Academy for our first Boston Recovery Foundation outreach event on the streets of Worcester, the second-largest city in Massachusetts. It was a remarkable success. We packed enough food and clothing to serve 125 people, and they were all gone in just two hours! The food and clothes were a huge hit with the people we met, but the real magic happened when we had meaningful co

A story of compassion, connection, and recovery on the streets of Boston On a sunny morning, we arrived on Mass Avenue in Boston, ready to set up our carts and share some treats with our friends who live on the streets and struggling with addiction. As we pulled up to a parking spot, we noticed a man sitting on the sidewalk, seemingly struggling to insert a needle in his arm. It was heartbreaking to see him in such a vulnerable state. As we usually do, as we come out of the c

Let’s celebrate the spirit of renewed lives during this National Recovery Month. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’ve been through it all, we’re here to support you and honor your commitment to reclaiming your life. And to all the incredible people who work tirelessly to make recovery possible for others, we truly appreciate you and all that you do. To the amazing volunteers with the Boston Recovery Foundation, you are heroes and rock stars. Thank you. Let’s k

At the Boston Recovery Foundation, we believe in the power of personal struggles and healing. We call these individuals “wounded healers,” and they’re the ones who’ve faced tough battles like addiction, incarceration, trauma, loss, or mental health challenges. But instead of letting these struggles consume them, they’ve turned them into something beautiful. These wounded healers wear their scars as badges of honor, showing others that they’ve overcome incredible obstacles. Th

Volunteering with the Boston Recovery Foundation has been an incredible journey, filled with purpose, compassion, and a deep connection with others. Every day we spend helping those living on the streets and struggling with substance use disorder shows us the incredible strength and resilience of every person we meet. The foundation’s mission is to support and uplift those in need, not just by providing resources, but by restoring hope. As volunteers, we participate in outrea

International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31, is a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives to drug overdoses and acknowledging the grief felt by the families and friends left behind. It serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of substance use disorder on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. This day is not just about mourning; it also shines a light on the importance of education, prevention, and co

With horror and sadness, I read the recent post about Universal Church denying love and mercy to the  Boston Recovery Foundation and friends on the street.   I had assumed that the Universal Church was purposefully located where it was, as a beacon of hope and a manifestation of Jesus's love to the people who many would argue need it most -- although we are all in equal need.   I was wrong.   My church teaching tells me to attempt to reconcile with my brother. Jesus says if y

Over the past few months, our outreach efforts in Boston have revealed a significant shift in the demographics of individuals affected by the drug epidemic. Initially, our focus was on opioid addiction, primarily involving pills and heroin. However, heroin has virtually disappeared, replaced by synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl. Methamphetamine addiction has surged, and the crack epidemic has resurfaced. The extent of drug use is unprecedented, posing significant challenges

Our morning started with a sense of joy, and as it is every single Sunday when we get ready to go to the streets of Boston and meet our friends who live on the streets and struggle with substance disorders. Our wagons were filled with fruit, clothing, sandwiches, fruit, ice-cold water, and other treats. The volunteers were enthusiastic, but as we arrived, so did the rain. Undeterred, we kept going and were immediately surrounded by people happy to see familiar faces and eager

If you feel an ache in your heart when you see someone suffering on the streets or in need of help, pay attention to that feeling. It’s a sign that you’re meant to get involved and spread hope and compassion. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people start smiling and realizing that they’re being treated with dignity and love. Even a simple sandwich or a pair of socks can make a world of difference if they come from a place of genuine care and understanding. We can’t just stand

On this hot 4 th  of July weekend, Akira, Berk, Brooke, Davy, Eddy, Julia, and Lynda came out to Mass Avenue in Boston, bringing many cool treats, food, and clothes to our friends on the streets. Most popular were the popsicles, cold waters, and fruit, but we also gave out many sandwiches, fried chicken, and clothing essentials like T shirts, shorts, underwear, and socks.   Independence Day is a great time for reflection. For colonial America, independence meant not depending

When people hear about the Boston Recovery Foundation, they often say things like, “Oh, you’re an angel,” “You’re doing God’s work,” or “I feel so sorry for those people.” While we appreciate the sentiment, those words don’t really help people living on the streets of Boston struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. When we see someone lying on the sidewalk, all skin and bones, with open sores all over their body, we feel compelled to do more than just

Our friends Dennis and Shirley Depew sent us some amazing and much-needed gifts! Even though we’re over 1500 miles away from Neodesha, Kansas, we feel their warm embrace all the way here in Boston. We’ve been desperately needing supplies for our Sunday outreach, and you came through and saved the day! Your generosity is truly overwhelming. Thanks to you, we can now provide dignity to those struggling on the streets of Boston by giving them new underwear, socks, or body wipes.

The next time you kneel in prayer, let your heart remember—true devotion is also found in kneeling to lift someone who has fallen. I see God on Mass Ave. every Sunday. He’s asking for water. She’s asking for clothing. He’s asking for food. And she’s asking for a place to live. Mass Ave is the altar on which I serve and honor God. I don’t know too much about theology, but I know that the gospel tells me to look for God disguised as someone as someone on Mass Ave. I don’t have

We extend our sincere gratitude to Healthy Duct, Inc. for their unwavering support of the Boston Recovery Foundation. Your consistent financial contributions significantly impact our operations, enabling us to continue our vital work. Our dedicated volunteers provide essential items such as clothing, food, and invaluable human connections to over 100 individuals each week. We have been able to assist numerous individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with substance

Last Sunday was a chilly and blustery one, but our hearts were warmed by hope and connection with our friends on the Ave. Berk, Davy, Eddy, Jeff, Jesus, and Ronnie were joined on the streets by Annalise Quinn of the Boston Globe. Annalise is working on an article about people who are missing on Mass Ave. She has now been to the Ave many times, and her dedication to truly understanding people’s stories continues to inspire us. It was great to have Eddy back from his semester o

Memorial Day is one of the most somber days in the calendar. It is not just a day off for barbecues and backyard parties. It is a day to remember and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this country. One way to honor their memories and continue the legacy of service is to take part in serving our communities, to help our neighbors, to lend a hand to those in need, and to bring hope, comfort, and healing to our neighbors who need us most. This past

Healing begins with human connection. Last Sunday, our outreach event had seven incredible volunteers. Each brings unique life experiences and talents to share with our friends living on Boston’s streets.   As we set up the BRF wagons with clothes, sandwiches, fruit, and snacks, we often encounter people who are tired and hurting. Sometimes, the physical pain is evident, while the emotional pain is more profound. Our volunteers offer smiles, brownies, fruit, or water to every