Over the years, Barbara had held various administrative jobs, primarily in human resources. A college graduate, she was used to supporting herself. When Barbara was laid off during the economic downturn, she managed to get by on her unemployment benefits, while continuing to look for work. 

 

Then her unemployment ran out. Without a safety net, Barbara lost her housing and wound up in Yawkey House at Pine Street.

 

“It was hard having to carry around your belongings with you and then wait for a bed every night,” she says. 

 

She continued to send out resumes but found looking for work to be very challenging without a permanent address.

 

Spending last year’s holiday season in the shelter was difficult, although Barbara did her best to keep her spirits up. To further complicate matters, she wound up with health problems and had to seek medical assistance.

 

What a difference a year makes. Several months ago, Barbara moved into a Pine Street permanent residence in Jamaica Plain, where she has a room of her own, the support of a caring case manager, and is surrounded by housemates who have become a family to her. 

 

For this year’s holidays, she helped prepare and serve the holiday meals they all shared together.

 

“Coming together over the holidays helped create a great sense of community in the house,” she says. 

 

Now in a stable home with a permanent address, Barbara has been participating in Pine Street’s WorkFirst program, designed to assist men and women who have recently moved into housing in finding a job. She is looking forward to re-entering the workforce and has set a goal of moving into a “little apartment” of her own – perhaps by this time next year!