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…
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…
Jeannie first experienced homelessness in Florida after her husband passed away. “I have been homeless on and off for several years,” Jeannie says. “When I first became homeless, I was living in Florida, so it was easier to live outside. However, I have a chronic medical condition, so I would try to sleep in shelters,…
Tom worked hard all his life, spending 27 years working in a large auto parts warehouse. When the business closed, he retired at age 62. Trying to live solely on his Social Security benefits was challenging. Each month, Tom found himself spending more than his benefits, and he amassed credit card debt. When Tom’s landlord…
Dennis, 73, grew up in a small Midwestern town. During the Vietnam era, he enlisted in the Navy where he served for several years. Following his service, Dennis returned to his hometown where he attended community college and studied carpentry. However, his post-war struggles with mental health made it difficult for him to work. Dennis…
Calvin, now 61 years old, was one of over a dozen siblings. Throughout his childhood, his parents struggled with poverty and the pressures of providing for a large family. Eventually, the financial strain led to substance use disorder for his parents. Due to the instability at home, Calvin and his siblings were sent to live…
Kenneth, 61, lived and worked in Central Massachusetts for over 20 years before relocating to Boston for a job opportunity. Prior to coming to Boston, Kenneth says, “I had a place to live, and was always able to pay my own rent.” After arriving in Boston, things changed quickly for Kenneth due to medical issues…
David grew up in a Boston suburb, the son of a veteran turned engineer and a mother who worked as a nurse. He beams with pride when he recalls his first job at age 15 and the early years in his hometown. In adulthood, things took an unfortunate turn for David, and he ended up…
John lived in Boston, working in the housekeeping field. He was very close to his family, especially his father, and when his father died, John became depressed and faced a series of challenges. “I lost my father and fell apart,” John says. “We were so close — he was my best friend.” Following this tragedy,…
Sadea became homeless after a significant rent increase and a job loss. “I was living in an apartment with my 12-year-old son,” Sadea says. “It was a freezing cold winter when we got evicted, and we didn’t have any place to go.” Sadea made some difficult choices that no parent should have to make. “I…
Andrea, our Workforce Development senior trainee, is originally from Jamaica. When she moved to Boston at age 13, she and her family faced challenges in finding affordable housing. As a result, Andrea ended up in the foster care system. “Once I got out of foster care, I moved in with my mother,” Andrea says. “She…
