Boston Religious Leaders for Long Island Refugees
  • BostonWarm
  • History
  • News Stories
Connect with our effort

Harmon: Long Island homeless programs should be built elsewhere

11/15/2014

0 Comments

 
Lawrence Harmon, Globe Columnist
THE BRIDGE to the homeless shelter and drug rehabilitation programs on Long Island — the largest island in Boston Harbor — is structurally unsound and out of commission. Also unsound are the longstanding policies that have led to the shuttling of homeless men and women across the decaying steel structure while barring the general public from enjoying the 214-acre island.

Long Island is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area that includes popular spots such as Georges Island and Spectacle Island. But the general public can’t get there from here. Guards blocked access to the roughly 3,000-foot bridge to Long Island even when it was safe to pass. There is no ferry service to the island, no tours, no public toilets, no camping, no picnic areas, and no refreshments. For many decades, the island has served as an almshouse, chronic disease hospital, and more recently as a domicile for the homeless and addicts in need of detoxification and treatment. Since 2007, several hundred kids from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods have been attending summer camp sessions on the northern end of the island.


Read more at BostonGlobe.com
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    .

    Archives

    October 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    CityPressRelease
    Homeless Life
    News
    Personal Stories
    Policy
    Shelters

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.