Johnnisha “JoJo” Willis is a supervisor at Yawkey House, Pine Street Inn’s Yawkey House shelter. She is dedicated to helping homeless individuals, drawing on a deep well of empathy from having personally experienced homelessness.
Starting in early childhood, Charisa experienced challenges in her life. Charisa’s father was not present, and her mother struggled as a single parent. Her aunt and uncle then became her primary caregivers, and Charisa went to live with them. “Over the years, my aunt and uncle developed substance use issues,” Charisa says. “Money was often…
Tara has been with Pine Street Inn for seven years. While she has held various positions, Tara is currently the director of the Men’s Inn shelter and works to improve our guests’ experience.
David grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts. He began experimenting with drugs at a young age, and over the years, he developed a substance use disorder. “Getting high was the only life I knew,” David says. When he was just 18 years old, David was incarcerated for drug-related offenses. After six years, he was released…
On Jean Yawkey’s 115th birthday, we celebrated the Yawkey Foundation’s $15 million gift to Pine Street Inn with the dedication of our women’s shelter to “Yawkey House.”
Bryce, 69, is a tenant in Pine Street Inn’s newest residence at 140 Clarendon Street in Boston’s Back Bay. While Bryce has worked hard throughout his life with careers as both a chef and a mechanic, he still became homeless. “When the pandemic hit in 2020, I lost my job and my housing,” Bryce says….
We are thrilled to partner again this year with 99 Restaurants for their annual Have a Heart fundraiser. From February 5 through February 11, 2024, 48 locations in eastern Massachusetts and Salem, NH, are raising funds for Pine Street Inn.We are thrilled to partner again this year with 99 Restaurants for their annual Have a Heart fundraiser. From February 5 through February 11, 2024, 48 locations in eastern Massachusetts and Salem, NH, are raising funds for Pine Street Inn.
Scott, now 68, grew up in a Boston suburb. From a young age, he was eager to be on his own and to move away from his hometown. Scott joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was just 17. Following his discharge, he returned to Boston to start a new life. “I was a hard…
Jenny grew up in a large family with a history of substance abuse. “Unfortunately, substance use disorder is something I’ve struggled with for many years,” Jenny says. “It is part of the reason that I experienced homelessness.” Over time, Pine Street Inn’s street outreach team collaborated with Jenny to change her situation. “It makes me…
Tina Cheek is the Resource Center Supervisor at Pine Street’s Rapid Engagement Center. Tina supervises a staff of six, who are dedicated to ensuring that shelter guests have access to resources such as phones, computers and staff who can assist them in finding a job and housing.
Leslie, a Vietnam-era United States Army veteran, served for six years. Despite working steadily at a telecommunications company for 30 years, he lost his home following a divorce. “I never thought I would end up without a roof over my head,” Leslie says. “I was paying my mother’s bills and paying my own mortgage at…
Samuel lived on the streets of Boston for over ten years before moving into Pine Street Inn housing. “I would sleep in different places every night, often in a tent or in a park,” Samuel says. “During the day, I would visit different community programs to clean up and eat a meal. I wasn’t comfortable…
