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Stories of Hope: Kathyrn

Housing Tenant


For years, Kathryn worked for the phone company, in Illinois and then in Florida. In her 40s, she made a life change and came to Boston to pursue an advanced education, studying civil engineering. But soon after enrolling in classes, her life began to unravel.

“I started having physical problems and then trouble remembering things, recalls Kathryn. Far from the support of her family, her situation deteriorated. Kathryn became unable to work and ended up homeless, living on the streets for 16 years.


Now, thanks to Pine Street, Kathryn will have a place to call home through WISH — Women’s Inn Supportive Housing. A new program that is part of Pine Street’s commitment to developing permanent solutions to end homelessness, WISH is converting space on the top floor of the Women’s Inn emergency shelter to provide 10 units of permanent housing, along with support services.


“I am so grateful to be part of this program,” says Kathryn, who said she found “shelter, food and a safe place” at the Women’s Inn. Now Kathryn has a feeling of stability that she did not have before. “People need peace,” she says simply.


Now with a roof over her head, Kathryn finally feels she can plan for the future. “Having a place to call my own gives me a sense of security,” she explains. “I want to be productive.”