Ending Homelessness with Common Cathedral Boston

Winter Walk is proud to support the work done by our Organizational Partners (OPs), the service providers administering aid to the unhoused people that live in the cities we walk in 365 days a year. Winter Walk gives 100% of the funds raised at our Walk Events to our OPs; with walks in Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Tallahassee, we’re on a mission to grow our walk program nationally. Learn more about becoming a Winter Walk OP here.

Common Cathedral
Boston, MA
commoncathedral.org

The Winter Walk team recently had the pleasure of interviewing members of the incredible team at Common Cathedral located at 15 Newbury St in Boston, to learn more about their work and commitment to the unhoused communities in our city. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us about your work. We think the world of Common Cathedral; your programming is incredible, and we love and share your mission to build community between housed and unhoused people. For anyone that doesn’t know, can you please tell us a little bit about your organization?

Our mission at Common Cathedral is to build community, provide spiritual care, and bridge the gap between unhoused and housed individuals. We are radically welcoming, and we meet people where they are. As an ecumenical church community, we affirm all faiths and traditions. Our core belief is that no one should be left behind, and everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and included.

Who does Common Cathedral serve? 

Staff and guests on a retreat to Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA 

We serve anyone looking for a community to create and heal with. Each year, about 300 individuals come through our doors to worship, create, and belong. 

Our work is spiritual, emotional, and deeply human. Research has shown that faith and spiritual connection can lead to better health outcomes, especially for those facing adversity. But while we provide a Christian context for our worship and spiritual reflection groups, we are non-proselytizing ministry, open to broad discussions of belief and belief systems. 

Our ministers are on the streets nearly every day, offering prayer, companionship, and referrals to social service agencies. Whether through worship, art, or street outreach, Common Cathedral is committed to walking alongside people on their journey toward healing and hope.

It is so inspiring to hear you talk about welcoming people no matter what spiritual path they are walking. The world needs more of that open-mindedness, and, if we can coin a phrase, “open-heartedness.” Thank you for the work you do for our community, and for being such a great partner to us all these years! How are you using the funds raised at this year’s Walk Event? 

Funds raised during Winter Walk 2025 will primarily support two of our programs: common art and our kitchen ministry. Contributions help us purchase art supplies so every participant can express themselves through their chosen medium. They also help us provide warm, hearty meals to anyone who walks through our doors, usually with enough for seconds. 

What are the greatest needs Common Cathedral has in 2025?

Our greatest need is volunteers to help our programs run. Consistent volunteer support is what keeps our programming running and ensures we can show up for our unhoused neighbors every single week. Especially during our Sunday worship, where we gather for outdoor worship to share food, stories, and spiritual connection. About one-fourth of attendees come from housed congregations, creating a shared space for compassion and community. We also run a common art program which provides unhoused and low-income artists with space, materials, and support. Each week, 40–50 artists gather to draw, paint, sculpt, and create stained glass, jewelry, and other crafts. They are also served breakfast and lunch. With our day center program, BostonWarm, we offer healthy meals, games, laughter, and peer connections to over 50 guests per day. CityReach is an overnight urban immersion program for youth and young adults. The program gives these young people the opportunity to learn firsthand about homelessness from people who have experienced it. We also offer an opportunity for deeper dialogue and foster connections within our community to heal and gain a better understanding with our neighbors through our Can We Talk… program. 

Two artists with their artwork outside Emmanuel Church 

A CityReach session is underway.

What is something you wish everyone understood about homelessness? 

Guests enjoying a meal at the Common Cathedral. 

Homelessness can happen to anyone, at any time. We should show empathy and compassion to our neighbors. It often takes just one crisis for someone to lose their housing. Many individuals, especially those facing chronic homelessness due to severe mental illness or substance use, struggle to reconnect with themselves and with others. Reestablishing connection, trust, and belief is the heart of the recovery model of addiction treatment and is important spiritual work that provides successful outcomes for addicts.

What is something you wish everyone knew about unhoused people? 

Unhoused people are human beings who deserve the same dignity, respect, and care as anyone else. Housing status does not define worth.

How can people help Common Cathedral? 

You can support our mission by donating clothing, food, or kitchen supplies such as coffee and lemonade. We also welcome volunteers to help with worship services and weekly programming. Learn more at commoncathedral.org/volunteer.

Thank you so much for your time and we can’t wait to walk with you again on Boston Common in February!  

Winter Walk is a nonprofit on a mission to end homelessness in America. Winter Walk hosts walk events in major cities across the United States designed to raise funds for local service organizations while building community between housed and unhoused people, and offers educational services to the public designed to eliminate the stigma associated with homelessness. At a time when homelessness is increasing across America, Winter Walk believes that ending homelessness is within our reach – and it starts with ending stigma. Winter Walk uplifts the voices of those who have experienced homelessness, breaking down negative images and stereotypes through storytelling, education, and community building. Learn more about our mission.