A sketch of several Boston programs working to reach prostitutes and help them change their lives.

OVERVIEW

Boston’s Copley Square is a center for male prostitution. The Square is dominated by a large church which has helped—as they do for all the homeless—but is unable to fully admit and respond to this need.

A wonderful woman, Claire Sullivan, has operated an outreach to the homeless for years. During many of those years, she served only homeless adults—rather than younger people—for a couple of reasons. Gradually, she could no longer turn from these kids and became "Mom" to many of them. Every night she or her staff serve food, clothing, good cheer, and prayers at the Boston Commons—and now Copley Square as well. The needs of young runaways, some of them both female and male prostitutes, became so striking that Claire Sullivan raised money to hire two young outreach workers. They are being trained as they begin the long process of forming relationships and earning respect within this youthful subculture. (You can learn more of this work by contacting Claire, Paul Daigle, or Pam Visser at Box 18245, Boston, MA 02118 or (617) 262-4567).

Additionally,

The Boston Street Youth Outreach has been restructured and named JRI Health’s Boston Outreach Program. It provides a range of services to street youth—particularly targeting commercial sex workers. Its health center on Boylston Street is "affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and provides a full range of medical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and specialty programs for HIV treatment and transgender health issues. Most important, the program keeps an average of 10 staff workers on the streets, talking to the young men, gaining their trust, and offering them a chance to turn their lives around. Or, for now, at least a chance to seek shelter and medical help. (This paragraph is from Sarah McNaught’s "The Lost Boys." See Article Review under this topic.)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Which of these programs interests you the most? Which do you think is most effective in dealing with the issues of these young people?
2. What are the realistic limitations of each program in dealing with the issues of street kids and young prostitutes?
3. If you had the resources to improve each program, how would you use them wisely?

IMPLICATIONS

• There is need for secular, faith based, and religious responses to the needs of the poor and disenfranchised.
• We should not be quick to criticize a church in this situation. Should a church get involved in such work, it would need the advice and resources of those with more experience. It could not just invite street people in but would have to begin an outreach program.
• A society is only as strong as its weakest links. The poor and helpless need respect, sometimes special programs, and means to return to mainstream society.
• The issue of homosexual young people is not solved in many cultures. It is a difficult and complex issue for church and society. But we must continue to work at it—and gay teens must be able to see a positive future for themselves.

Dean Borgman cCYS