Cushing Manor Community Inc

Pros

• The service is top-notch and excellent from start to finish.
• The family shelter offers lots of support.
• They really help women.
• The facility is nice for women, and the educators are awesome.
• They are doing good things to help the community.
• The service was fast and friendly.
• The daycare is good and the staff are nice around the building.
• The shelter helps families have a roof over their heads.
• The place is beautiful, focused, and caring for the young women in the community.

Cons

• The situation has worsened each night, with new disturbances.
• There are reports of people banging on windows and trying to open doors.
• Residents are woken up at 3 a.m. every night.
• The bathroom is described as disgusting, leaking, and rusted.
• There is no privacy; doors cannot be locked, which is alleged to be illegal.
• Staff reportedly enter rooms at any time without knocking, even when residents are sleeping.
• Room checks occur at 1 a.m. without prior notice, and the rules are seen as nonsensical.
• A child reportedly contracted lice after one night at the BridgeHome program.
• A donor felt front desk staff lacked good people skills when accepting newborn clothes, raising doubts about whether the items would reach the moms.

Review

A family shelter that sits at the heart of a caring community has drawn a wide spectrum of experiences from those who rely on it. On the one hand, there are voices praising a high level of service, noting that the support they receive is strong "from start to finish" and that the staff and programs are deeply invested in helping families in need. People describe moments of genuine care, a sense that the center is a reliable place to turn to when life feels uncertain, and a recurring note of gratitude for the shelter's dedication to assisting women and children as they seek stability.

Yet the same place is also the scene of ongoing tensions that color residents' daily lives. Several accounts recount nights marked by disturbances, including people banging on windows and attempts to open doors, waking residents in the early hours of the morning - sometimes as late as 3 a.m. - which makes rest feel elusive. One observer even suggested that the building's history as a maternity hospital might linger in the "vibes" of the space, a reflection of how past associations can feel almost tangible in the present. The juxtaposition of hospitality and unease creates a complicated portrait of the shelter's environment, where welcome is real even as anxiety and disruption persist for some residents.

There is also a strong sense of community and generosity that permeates the experience. One mother explains traveling to Boston with her 11-year-old, seeking help in a city that has become home quickly, and finds the shelter to be a place of essential support during a precarious moment. The shelter is described as a focal point for families needing shelter and stability, with a broad network of people stepping forward to help. Donors accompany these stories with concrete contributions, from women's clothing and unopened baby formula to household items and even a coffee maker. In these lines, the shelter is presented as a hub of charitable energy, where acts of giving - big and small - are embraced as tangible aid for moms and children who are navigating difficult times.

At the same time, the realities of daily life inside the shelter include significant complaints about conditions and operations. A frequent grievance centers on cleanliness, privacy, and safety - illustrated by a bathroom described as disgusting, leaking, and rusted, with an inability for residents to lock their doors. The complaint adds that room checks can occur at 1 a.m., a practice some residents believe to be inappropriate and inconsistent with the stated rules, which are supposed to require notices and to occur well before the evening ends. The overall sense is that while the shelter offers shelter and services, certain aspects of its physical state and routine procedures undercut the sense of safety and dignity that residents expect.

Amid these critiques, many residents emphasize the quality of staff and the real, practical help the shelter provides. Several reviews highlight "excellent staff" and "educators" who are described as awesome, capable, and genuinely focused on supporting women. The sentiment here is that behind the occasional systems shortcomings, there exists a committed group of professionals and volunteers who strive to make a meaningful difference - offering a safe space for women and their families, providing daycare, and fostering a community of care. Phrases like "beautiful, focused, caring for the young women in the community" convey appreciation for the shelter's mission and the energy dedicated to education and personal growth.

However, questions of fairness and treatment also emerge, including claims of discrimination. One review asserts that treatment depends on a guest's ethnicity, with Spanish-speaking residents allegedly receiving more favorable handling than others. The same account references an incident in the shelter's bridgehome program where the reviewer's son, who spent a night there, contracted lice - an outcome described as distressing and troubling enough to mention. This perspective raises concerns about equity and the quality of programs designed to support families of color, underscoring the tension between inclusive intent and lived experience for some residents.

Donations and firsthand experiences with the shelter's frontline interactions further color the narrative. A mother who donated newborn clothing recounts a moment where, despite a generous gesture, the interaction with some front-desk staff felt lacking in warmth and enthusiasm. The donor notes that the items were clean and gently used, yet the reception suggested a dampened spirit rather than celebration of the act. This vignette hints at a broader theme: even when the shelter receives positive contributions and generous goodwill, the human touch in interactions can make a meaningful difference in how residents experience the environment.

In closing, the range of experiences paints a nuanced picture of a shelter that is both a lifesaving resource and a space with real, unresolved tensions. Some residents describe a fast, friendly service and a supportive atmosphere where staff genuinely care about the families' well-being. Others face ongoing complaints about safety, privacy, and equal treatment, with nights of noise and room-turnovers that disrupt sleep and contribute to a sense of instability. Yet across the spectrum, the shelter remains a place of hope for many - an indispensable roof over heads for families and a community hub where donations, daycare, and ongoing support come together to help young women and their children find a path forward.

Located in the heart of Dorchester, Massachusetts, this area offers a convenient and vibrant mix of amenities for seniors. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare services is easy. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes nearby, providing plenty of dining options for residents to enjoy. The neighborhood boasts several parks where seniors can relax and take leisurely walks, while also being within a reasonable distance to top hospitals and medical facilities such as Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Additionally, public transportation options like the MBTA stations make it easy for seniors to get around the city. Overall, this part of Dorchester provides a well-rounded living environment that offers both convenience and comfort for older adults looking to settle in a bustling urban setting.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Pure Oasis (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Ba Le Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Dorchester Brewing Company (0.4 miles)
• Barcelona Wine Bar South End (2 miles)
• PLNT Burger (2 miles)
• Ethel and Andy's Sandwich Shop (2.1 miles)
• Club Cafe (2.3 miles)
• OAK Long Bar + Kitchen (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA - JFK/UMass (0.7 miles)
• MBTA Ruggles Station (1.9 miles)
• MBTA Kenmore Station (2.8 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (2.9 miles)
• MBTA Charles/MGH Station (3.1 miles)
• MBTA North Quincy Station (3.3 miles)
• MBTA North Station (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Reign Drink Lab (0.9 miles)
• Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar (2.3 miles)
• Mike's Donuts (2.5 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.5 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.5 miles)
• Phin Coffee House (2.6 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Franklin Park (1.8 miles)
• Rolling Bridge Park (2.2 miles)
• The Lawn On D (2.2 miles)
• Boston Public Garden (2.7 miles)
• Olmsted Park (2.7 miles)
• Jamaica Pond (2.7 miles)
• Fan Pier Park (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Labor And Delivery at Tufts (2.4 miles)
• New England Baptist Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Boston Children's Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Harvard Medical School (2.5 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (2.5 miles)
• Carney Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (2.8 miles)
• Bidmc Lowry Building (2.8 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (2.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Loews Boston Common 19 (2.6 miles)