As a high school ice hockey standout, Richard planned to attend college at the University of Vermont to play hockey. Richard’s plans changed during his senior year of high school when he suffered both a back injury and a traumatic brain injury during a game, putting an end to his dream. Richard’s doctor prescribed an…
“Pine Street Inn never turned their back on me.” That support gave Anthony the strength to rebuild his life. Growing up in Roxbury, Anthony took on the immense responsibility of fatherhood at just 15 years old. Determined to support his family, he found work wherever he could, including restaurants and odd jobs. “It was a…
Marla Doane, Pine Street Inn’s regional director of housing support services, has been an integral part of the organization’s growth. With nearly 36 years of dedication to ending homelessness, Marla has managed housing locations in Jamaica Plain, Brookline, and several others, helping to shape Pine Street’s transformative housing initiatives. “I first heard about Pine Street…
Adonis had worked hard his entire life in construction. When he decided to switch careers to better support his family, he moved to Boston looking for opportunities. However, the high cost of housing and difficulty finding work resulted in Adonis becoming homeless. “I was struggling to find a place to stay and needed help,” Adonis…
Growing up, Britney had a good home life, being raised by her godmother after her mother passed away. When she was in her late twenties, Britney’s godmother also passed away, and she became depressed. Britney’s mental health issues led to her developing a substance use disorder. “I chose to come to Boston to focus on…
Lauren Mitchell is an employment stabilization specialist (ESS) for Pine Street’s workforce development program. After completing their first eight weeks of either the iCater food services program or the housekeeping program, trainees are paired with an ESS like Lauren to help set them on a path for professional and personal success. “I meet with each…
Teresa left an abusive family situation, looking for a better life. Even though she worked three jobs, she was unable to find an apartment she could afford because of Boston’s high cost of living. “I was homeless for almost nine years and lived on the streets for several years,” says Teresa. “I learned about Pine…
Amilton worked as an assistant manager at a restaurant before switching to a career in construction. “I never thought that I would be homeless. I worked hard to support my family,” says Amilton. However, when he and his wife separated, Amilton moved out of their shared home to live with a friend who owned a…
Vaughn became homeless several years ago when a long-term relationship ended, and he moved out of the apartment he shared with his partner. Vaughn looked for a place of his own, but he could not afford the high rents in the Boston area. With no place to go, he ended up sleeping in abandoned buildings…
Wayne, 53, grew up in South Boston. From a young age, he knew he wanted to move beyond his neighborhood and experience more of the world. “I wanted to take my life beyond my local community,” Wayne says. “When I was 17, I joined the United States Marine Corps. I saw combat in Desert Storm…
Michael faced significant challenges in his early life due to his parents’ substance use and mental health issues. When he was 5 years old, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) intervened and placed him into the foster care system. Ultimately, he was adopted into a stable and supportive home. Michael, who has a learning…
Philip, college-educated and in his early 30s, held a job as a communications professional. He had struggled with anxiety for many years; when he experienced pressures at work and ongoing issues with depression combined with family struggles, Philip became homeless. “As my depression grew worse, the relationship with my family became strained. I knew it…
