Jenny D. — “A Home for the Holidays”

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 very emotional to think of how the street outreach team worked with me with such kindness and care when I was on the street,” she says.

Jenny was matched with two case managers, who helped her move into an apartment at one of Pine Street Inn’s permanent supportive housing sites. “They helped me get all of my paperwork so that I could follow through with the housing process, even though I had no stability staying out on the street,” Jenny says. “They were my anchors to a better life ahead of me.”

“I’ve lived in Pine Street’s housing for seven years now. I’ll never forget moving in here,” Jenny says. “I feel safe here. I have a home and a community.”

Since moving into housing, Jenny has focused on recovery and rebuilding relationships with her family, whom she celebrates the holidays with. “It is beautiful to be able to see them again and to have them see me doing so well. It means the world to have a home for the holidays.”