Joyce — Homeward Bound: A Journey Towards Peace

“I grew up in a loving home in New Jersey with my two brothers,” reminisces Joyce, 70, a tenant at one of Pine Street Inn’s residences in Dorchester.

Nearly 50 years ago, Joyce moved to Boston to study elementary education at Northeastern University. With few teaching jobs available, she found herself working in a restaurant instead. “It paid four times what I would’ve made teaching,” Joyce says.

It was at her first job where Joyce met her husband. Together, they built a life in one of Boston’s suburbs, raising two children and their beloved chocolate lab, Coco. “My kids begged for a dog,” shares Joyce. She walked Coco daily and soon began walking friends’ dogs. This inspired Joyce to start her own business providing doggy daycare. “I became known as the ‘dog lady’ around town,” Joyce says.

However, life threw Joyce unexpected challenges. “There were financial issues I didn’t see coming. My husband made some poor financial decisions that I didn’t know about,” she says. “The stress on our marriage became too much, and we decided to divorce. That, plus the financial pressures caught up with me, and I started drinking more than I should have.”

Joyce made the decision to hand her business over to her children to protect it. Without a job, she was unable to keep up with rent. Though her family helped initially, they eventually could no longer provide support, and Joyce became homeless. It was then that she sought shelter at Pine Street, where she stayed for three years.

While in shelter, Joyce received guidance and support through her case manager, who helped her find an apartment at one of Pine Street’s residences. “When I first moved in, my apartment was just a shell,” she recalls. “But I made it my home, decorating the walls with pictures I colored from coloring books. I’ve made friends here too! There’s a group of people who like to garden and cook together. It’s a great community.”

Today, Joyce feels a sense of gratitude. “I’m thankful to be where I am now. I have a home and peace.”