Service Needs and Histories:
*Criminal Records: 18% of clients self-report that they have a criminal record, and 8% report that they have spent time in prison. 2% report that they were discharged directly from a prison to a shelter.
*Mental Illness: 11% of clients report that they have received services from the Department of Mental Health (DMH).
*Substance Abuse: 56% of clients report that they have been in detox in the past twelve months.
*Dual Diagnosis: 11% of clients report that they have substance abuse and mental health issues.
Homelessness History:
*Incidence of homelessness: 16% of clients report they are experiencing their first episode of homelessness; 9% in their second episode: 2% in their third episode; and 10% report that they have been homeless more than three times.
*Duration of homelessness: Of the clients who are in their first or second episode of homelessness, 47% of clients have been homeless for less than one year in their current episode of homelessness.
Education and Disability Histories:
*Education: 59% of clients have at least a high school diploma or GED, including 16% with training beyond high school.
*Disability Entitlements: 8% of clients have received SSI or SSDI payments for their disability.
Demographics:
*Gender: 70% of clients are male and 30% are female.
*Age: About 21% of clients are between the ages of 18 and 30, 59% are between the ages of 31 and 50.
*Ethnicity: 55% of clients are Caucasian, 20% are African American, 9% Hispanic, and 16% Asian, Native American, or Other.
*Veterans: 8% of clients report that they have served in the military.
*Families: 48% of clients are single and have never been married, 16% clients report that they are either married or divorced.
*Based on self-reported client data from Boston Rescue Mission between July 2003 and June 2004.