Participants and volunteers at PBHA frequently describe their experiences in after-school programs, the Summer Urban Program (SUP), and homeless shelters as transformative in shaping their post-graduate careers in public service. In this section, we spotlight several alumni who illustrate how their time at PBHA inspired them to create impactful legacies in sectors they are passionate about, including housing and education advocacy.

In May, Harvard Square Homeless Shelter unveiled a renovation that would allow guests to stay for the entire 6-month season. The renovations include 16 sleep pods, which provide three walls of privacy, a bed, storage, and a lockable wardrobe.

Hear the stories of a few Y2Y guests here (video produced by The Harvard Crimson).

Read all about guests’ stays and Y2Y’s adapting policies from its inception in this article.

In 2013, Shaun Donovan ’87, former Harvard Square Homeless Shelter volunteer and then-United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, received PBHA’s annual Phillips Brooks House Association Robert Coles “Call of Service” Award.

Read all about the journey Sam Greenberg ’14 and Sarah Rosenkrantz ’14 embarked on to found Y2Y.

In November of her freshman year, Katya F. Smyth ’93 received a call from John H. Finley IV ’92 — a director at PBHA’s homeless shelter and a former high school classmate of Katya’s — asking if she could fill in an overnight shift for a volunteer who hadn’t shown up. 

From that shift onwards, Katya was “hooked.”

“We feel really lucky to have the space and to be able to offer it, because we’ve grown a lot by getting to know the students,” Julie Wilson, HSHS Corporation President, said of the University Lutheran Church, which hosts HSHS in its basement. “It’s been really helpful for the congregation.” 

Today, Jarell Lee ’10 is the principal of KIPP Academy Primary in Chicago. He founded the school in 2019 with 88 kindergarteners. Since then, the school has expanded to serve 400 students. But sixteen years ago, Jarell was a student at Harvard, directing the Summer Urban Program (SUP), Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program (CYEP).

“It was intense, but super rewarding,” Reverend John H. Finley IV ’92 said of his time with PBHA, volunteering at Harvard Square’s Homeless Shelter and delivering food to homeless shelters.

After his four years at PBHA, John went on to teach at Nativity Preparatory School and start his own school, Epiphany School.

Jose Magaña ’15 was deeply involved in nearly every aspect of PBHA, volunteering afterschool, working at PBHA’s Summer Urban Program (SUP), supervising a homeless shelter, and even working as an officer. For eight years following graduation, Jose has worked at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, preparing Hispanic youth for future professional life.

“I could not have had a Harvard experience without PBHA,” Priscilla “Scill” Chan ’01 said.

Scill joined PBHA her freshman year, commuting several times a week to Boston’s Chinatown to volunteer. After receiving the Stride Rite scholarship, Scill “chose” service and dedicated the next three years to PBHA and her career to education.

Christian Sterling ’10 is proudly from Detroit, Michigan, where his family centered service “in every way.” At Harvard, he became deeply involved with PBHA — serving as a student officer, directing several programs, and working at the homeless shelter. Since graduating, Christian’s work in public service has not ended.

Ayanna embarked on four years of public service through PBHA: transforming programs and exploring pathways she never would’ve considered otherwise. Her time at PBHA prepared her for a career as a teacher, school founder, and principal. Today, she is the principal at Vision Academy Charter School of Excellence.

Today, Jessica J. Tang ’04 is the President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts — representing more than 22,000 education staff including teachers, paraprofessionals, school librarians, substitute teachers, school nurses, and many more. But, Jessica’s public service journey began with PBHA.

From 2016-2017, John B. King, Jr. ’96 served as the 10th United States Secretary of Education, under President Barack Obama. But, while he was an undergraduate at Harvard, he was also PBHA President and Director of Mission Hill Summer Urban Program (SUP) and Peace Games

Alumni of the Summer Urban Program (SUP) have channeled their experiences into significant advocacy efforts. Through their work in SUP, they developed crucial skills and insights that informed their commitment to social justice. This section highlights a few individuals who have transformed their time in both PBHA and SUP into broader, impactful initiatives, demonstrating the lasting influence of these programs. This section also delves into the experiences of participants in SUP and what their camp experiences means to them.