If you are in crisis, please call 911 or the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: 800-327-5050.
Victory Programs’ Boston Living Center (BLC) is a nonprofit community and resource center that fosters the wellness of individuals living with chronic health conditions including and beyond HIV, individuals who are experiencing housing and/or food insecurity, and those who are isolated. The BLC responds to the changing needs of its community through education, treatment information, and support services.
To stay up-to-date on the Boston Living Center’s news and events, read the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, Living Positively!
Becoming a Member
All BLC services are free for our members. If you would like to become a member of the BLC, call 617-236-1012 to schedule an intake appointment.
For individuals who are HIV positive, please bring the following with you for your intake appointment:
-
-
- Proof of HIV Status (verification letter on hospital/clinic letterhead signed by a doctor or nurse)*
- Income verification (your income will not limit your access to our services)
- Photo ID
- Proof of Health Insurance
-
For individuals who are not HIV positive, please bring a photo ID to your intake appointment.
*If you do not have any of these documents, we will work with you to acquire all the required documents.
Following your intake is our New Member Welcome Orientation. You will have a tour of the Center, an overview of the services available, and meet with staff to see how we can best meet your needs.
Our Services
We believe nutrition, access to healthy food, and education about cooking and healthy eating are critical for wellness. Our dining room also serves as an important way for our members to build community.
Meals Program
Congregate Meals: The Boston Living Center serves warm and nutritious meals five days a week in our community dining room. Click the link below to view our Current Meals Menu or call the main phone number at 617-236-1012.
Food Pantry Bags: Members can sign up to receive a robust offering of fresh produce, meats, nonperishable foods, and hygiene and cleaning products once a week. *The food pantry is only available the 2nd and 4th week of the month on Thursdays and Fridays.
Breakfast at the BLC: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM. *Full breakfast is available on Wednesdays only.
Lunch at the BLC: Monday – Friday, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Dinner at the BLC: Monday, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Nutrition Education
The nutrition department at the BLC offers cooking classes, food demonstrations, food pantry bags filled with nutritious items for a balanced meal, and other food resources.
Individual Nutrition Consultation
By appointment only.
Schedule an appointment with our nutritionist for help with meal planning, securing food assistance, and addressing nutrition-related issues.
Cooking Classes and Workshops
Ongoing, check our events calendar in our members’ catalog for the current schedule.
Cooking classes are a fun way to learn how to plan balanced meals, gain new cooking skills, use healthy cooking methods, practice food safety, and use appropriate foods to help manage the side effects of your medications. Come cook with friends, share a meal and take home ingredients to try new recipes!
At the BLC, peer support is at the heart of what we do. Our Peer Leaders help other members empower themselves and develop effective strategies for living healthy lives.
Individual Peer Support
Ongoing Peer Support Can Include:
-
-
- Help with medical questions and developing medication routines
- Managing the housing process
- Emotional support
- Skill development around assertiveness and self-advocacy
- Connecting to case management, mental healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and more
-
Drop-in or by appointment.
Group Peer Support
All members are welcome to join our groups (eight people per daily session). For more information about our groups and current offerings, please call the BLC at 617-236-1012 or take a look at the events calendar in the latest edition of Living Positively. Our groups include:
-
-
- Bridges Support Group: Facilitated group discussion on various aspects of emotional and physical wellness and social support.
- Walking Group
- Health W.I.S.E.
- Women Thrive: Facilitated group discussion for women and feminine-of-center individuals.
- Go! Group: Monthly peer support group for Ready, Steady, Go participants and any interested members.
- Grupo Latino en Movimiento (G.L.e.M): Grupo de apoyo en Española para nuestra comunidad Latina, abierto a mujeres y hombres, donde puedas infomarte y compartir experiencias.
-
Boston Living Center members have access to a variety of additional services that offer both physical and social wellness. For more information about our wellness services and current offerings, please call the BLC at 617-236-1012 or take a look at the events calendar in the latest edition of Living Positively.
Holistic Services
Acupuncture: By appointment
New appointments are available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Make an appointment at the front desk.
Yoga: Classes are open to all members and are taught by a licensed yoga instructor. Every class incorporates strength building, flexibility, and relaxation. Classes are a hybrid model, held both in-person and virtually via Zoom.
Exercise Group: Classes are open to all members and consist of a variety of exercises for all levels. Classes are held in-person.
Medication Adherence Advice: Wednesdays during lunch through the Walgreens pharmacy.
Art Classes
Open Art Studio: Get creative! The art studio is open with unstructured time for anything you want to work on.
Developing skills and knowledge is key to overcoming barriers that stand in the way of achieving your goals. The Boston Living Center offers groups, workshops, classes, and community forums to help members work on goal-setting and skill-building. For more information about our education services and current offerings, please call the BLC at 617-236-1012 or take a look at the events calendar in the latest edition of Living Positively.
Cyberspace Computer Room: Monday through Fridays, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Internet access and the latest Microsoft Office applications, workshops, and one-on-one support.
Contact us:
29 Stanhope Street
Boston, MA 02116
Administration:
T 617-236-1012 | F 617-236-0334
Hours:
Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays unless otherwise noted.
Boston Living Center Key Staff:
Alyssa Collaro, Program Director
617-236-1012 x245
acollaro@vpi.org