Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to transition families out of homelessness to safe, affordable, permanent housing while working to disrupt systems that lead to poverty and homelessness. Its vision is that every family has a home.
Hildebrand was founded in 1988 as an outgrowth of a social action ministry of the St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge. Now, Hildebrand operates 157 emergency shelter units and 22 units of permanent housing across Boston and Cambridge, reaching over 300 families—1,000 individuals—each year. While living in Hildebrand shelters, children and their families receive comprehensive supportive services aimed at overcoming barriers to securing safe, stable housing and preparing families to thrive. Families continue working with Hildebrand’s Stabilization Services Program for two years after transitioning out of shelter to prevent the recurrence of homelessness. Of all families participating in this program, more than 90% have remained stably housed for at least two years post-shelter.