“I never thought I would experience homelessness,” says Darrell. “Now I understand how easily it can happen to anyone.” A lifelong Boston resident, Darrell earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and went on to work as a pest control supervisor for many years. Life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a stroke that…
For Christian Petit-Frere, supporting someone through one of the hardest chapters of their life begins with something simple: helping them feel seen. “I want tenants to know that I hear them and see them,” Christian says. As a case manager at The Lyndia, Pine Street Inn’s largest residence in Jamaica Plain, Christian helps tenants build…
When Paul first met Emma from Pine Street Inn’s veterans street outreach team, he wasn’t sure what to expect. “She told me she could help,” he remembers. “And she did.” Paul grew up outside of Boston in a big family. After high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps with a friend. “I served for…
Bill has always found peace outdoors. “Fishing is my therapy,” he says. “Even when I was younger, that’s where I felt calm.” Raised in a close-knit family, Bill followed his uncle’s advice to join the National Guard. “I found my community there,” he smiles. “I served 20 years and loved every minute — those were…
Ali worked in the housekeeping and maintenance industry for 15 years, building a life for himself. At the same time, he struggled with depression and alcoholism that escalated over the years, eventually resulting in homelessness. “I came to Boston in 1997 after a war in my home country,” Ali says. “During the war, I lost…
SK Keating, an Employment and Stabilization Specialist at Pine Street, works to connect job training program trainees with employment and job readiness skills. Leading up to this year’s Workforce Development Graduation, he reflected on his work with graduate speaker, Durell “Durell is a person who exudes a sense of quiet resilience and resolution,” says SK….
When Osborne reflects on his journey, three things stand out: family, faith and support from Pine Street Inn. Osborne was raised in a religious household in Boston with his grandmother, four brothers and extended family. “Faith has been a big part of my life,” Osborne shares. “It keeps me going during tough times.” His faith…
“I was lost for a long time,” Edgar shares, reflecting on his journey. “Thanks to Pine Street Inn’s support, I gained purpose and a sense of direction.” When he was just 12 years old, Edgar developed a substance use disorder. “Growing up around gangs, I thought that was normal life,” he explains. “But addiction and…
Nestled in a quiet corner of Jamaica Plain is one of Pine Street Inn’s most unique residences. Pine Street purchased the property in 1998 from a local church that could no longer support the residents. One of those tenants is Denise. A lifelong caregiver, Denise built her career as a physical therapist, spending 18 years…
Family has always been at the center of Shayne’s life. “It was me, my mother, father and two sisters,” he says. “We were a close unit.” When Shayne was 19, his father passed away. “Substance use has always been a part of our family’s story — including how we lost my father,” he says quietly….
A natural people person, Gaelen Coleman has always loved connecting with others and hearing their stories. While studying at Northeastern University, she shifted from history and political science to human services, where one of her first courses explored homelessness in Boston. That class sparked her interest and soon led her to Pine Street Inn, where…
“Everything I do is for my kids,” Kelley says. “They give me hope.” Kelley grew up in a household where family was everything — and losing it would define the years that followed. As a teenager, her life was already changing. “I became pregnant and started preparing to become a mother while I was still…
