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…
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…
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….
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…
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…
