The Marty Walsh Fund

Bridge Over Troubled Waters is excited to establish the Marty Walsh Fund to support Bridge youth. It will be Marty Walsh’s permanent legacy at Bridge, providing vulnerable young people with substance use and behavioral health counseling, treatment, supportive housing, and life skills training.

As mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh was actively involved in addressing youth homelessness in Boston, reflecting his compassion and depth of understanding and his commitment to ensuring that every young person in the city has a safe and stable place to call home.

Marty became a role model for Bridge youth. He shared with them, openly and honestly, his own life story, his struggles with alcohol use, and his delay in earning a college degree to illustrate that the path to a fulfilling life is not linear. “Don’t give up,” he would tell them.

Most of the youth at Bridge are from Boston, with about one-third from Dorchester, Marty’s neighborhood. Homeless youth are unlikely to finish school, remain employed, or afford safe and secure housing. Yet, youth are at a critical developmental point for life-changing intervention. With nearly all youth reporting alcohol and/or drug use at intake, Bridge has launched a new substance use prevention program focused on community support and an integrated, multi-pronged treatment approach.

The Marty Walsh Fund will provide Bridge services to youth who need hope, opportunity, and caring adults. Please join us in honoring Marty by helping the youth served by Bridge.