Edgar — Home at Last

“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 poor choices slowly took everything from me.”

In 2013, Edgar was arrested for substance-related charges, which led to his eviction from his apartment. “The case was dismissed but I still lost my home,” Edgar says. “I didn’t have a support system, so I had nowhere to go. Living on the streets became my reality.”

One thing gave him hope — Pine Street Inn’s outreach team. “They found me on the streets and offered me blankets, food and kindness,” Edgar remembers. “Their support gave me the strength to enter a substance use treatment program.”

When Edgar entered recovery, Pine Street staff guided him through the housing process. “After two months, I received the news that I was approved for an apartment in one of Pine Street’s residences,” Edgar says. “Moving in was the best day of my life!”

Now, almost two years later, Edgar is proud to call his new place home — and he’s continuing to build toward a brighter future. Most recently, he joined Pine Street Inn’s housekeeping job training program, where he is learning professional cleaning and sanitation practices, along with budgeting and resume-building skills.

For Edgar, having a home has meant more than just a place to live — it has meant the chance to begin again. “Pine Street gave me a fresh start and a chance to rebuild my life,” he says. “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”