Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness and Multigenerational Poverty
EDEN empowers families to move from crisis to stability, from stability to economic mobility, and from economic mobility to generational change.
Who We Serve
Empowering Families. Transforming Lives. Building Economic Mobility.
EDEN empowers families experiencing economic hardship and housing instability, particularly mothers and children, by addressing systemic barriers to financial independence, personal growth, and long-term economic mobility.
Through workforce development, financial empowerment, housing stabilization, wellness, self-development, and food access, EDEN equips families with the skills, opportunities, confidence, and resources needed to achieve economic independence, build generational wealth, and create sustainable futures.
Our goal is to empower families to overcome housing, employment, and economic challenges while achieving lasting stability, financial independence, and generational prosperity.
The Problem
Why Housing Alone Is Not Enough
Finding a home is only the first step. Without support for employment, finances, trauma, and other barriers, too many families end up back where they started.
67%+
of families return to shelter within three years of securing permanent housing.
Source: The Boston Foundation, The Growing Challenge of Family Homelessness, 2017.
Watch how EDEN is helping families stay housed.
Our Impact
Families Are Building Real Pathways to Independence
EDEN families are building measurable pathways toward independence.
80%+
of workforce participants have completed training and moved toward employment
86%
of participating families have achieved housing and employment outcomes
75%
of Financial Empowerment graduates opened or maintained high-yield savings accounts
70%
of Financial Empowerment graduates reduced personal debt
33+
Financial Empowerment participants have saved over $5,000
35,000+
pounds of fresh produce distributed
Several participants have saved more than $10,000, and graduates have reached credit scores above 690.
Our Approach
Stabilize → Earn → Manage → Save → Build
Poverty and homelessness are rarely caused by one issue. A family may need food today, employment next month, help rebuilding credit six months later, and continued support when moving into permanent housing. That is why our programs work together.
1
Stabilize
Address immediate food, housing, transportation, clothing, and family needs.
2
Earn
Develop workforce skills and connect participants to sustainable employment.
3
Manage
Build financial knowledge, budgeting habits, and credit management skills.
4
Save
Establish emergency savings and financial resilience.
5
Build
Create pathways toward long-term economic mobility, housing stability, leadership, and generational wealth.
What We Do
Six integrated program areas, one goal: lasting stability for every family.
Workforce Development
Training, employer partnerships, and career coaching that lead to sustainable careers.
Financial Empowerment
Tools to budget, save, reduce debt, improve credit, and build long-term assets.
Housing Stabilization
Support before, during, and after the move into permanent housing.
Food Access
Fresh produce, groceries, and essentials so families can focus on their future.
Self-Development & Wellness
Life skills, coaching, and emotional wellness so families can rebuild from a place of wholeness.
The Thrift Boutique by EDEN
Quality, affordable fashion and home goods, where every purchase supports EDEN families.
The Thrift Boutique by EDEN
Every Purchase Has a Purpose
The Thrift Boutique by EDEN is a curated secondhand shop offering quality, affordable fashion for the entire family, along with home goods.
Every purchase supports EDEN’s programs and helps local families move beyond homelessness and financial hardship.
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 9am–5pm
Trusted by Our Partners
- Boston Medical Center
- Boston University
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- The Boston Foundation
- United Way of Massachusetts Bay
- City of Boston
- Rockland Trust Foundation
- Northeastern University
- Horizons for Homeless Children
- About Fresh
- EMPath
- Yawkey Foundation
- The Lynch Foundation
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
New Book
Lead with Grace, Love, & Forgiveness
EDEN has been such a big help to me and my family. Because of EDEN, I was able to start a career in healthcare and now I’m making good money to take care of my family. … I’m so thankful for everything they have done for me and my family.
— Danna, EDEN Program Participant
There Is a Place for You at EDEN
Ending multigenerational poverty requires an entire community.
Donate
Fund workforce training, food, housing stabilization, and long-term family support.
Volunteer
Help at the Boutique, food distributions, workshops, events, and more.
Partner
Hire graduates, sponsor a cohort, or collaborate on shared initiatives.