Melissa — Rebuilding Her Life

Melissa grew up in Boston in a large, close-knit family that struggled financially. Melissa began working in retail at the age of 14 to bring in additional income. Several years later, she developed a substance use disorder, which led to estrangement from her family and to homelessness.

“I became addicted to prescription drugs following an accident,” Melissa says. “Eventually, this led to my becoming estranged from my family and to becoming homeless for the first time. I decided that I didn’t want to keep living that way, and I made the decision to enter recovery.”

Melissa, who has been in recovery for eight years, became homeless a second time during the COVID pandemic. “I was living with my cousin, but I wasn’t on the lease,” Melissa says. “Eventually, the landlord found out, and I got evicted. I was working, but my retail job didn’t pay enough to cover Boston rents, and I became homeless for a second time.”

With no place else to go, Melissa came to Pine Street Inn’s Yawkey House shelter. “Finding Pine Street was one of the best things that’s happened to me,” Melissa says. “The staff was extremely supportive and helped connect me with behavioral health care so I could remain in recovery during a difficult period.”

Melissa stayed at Yawkey House for almost two years. During that time, she worked with her case manager to find housing. Now in one of Pine Street’s residences, Melissa is thriving.

“Once my case manager told me about this building, I was thrilled. It sounded perfect. I moved in at the end of 2024, and I’m so grateful to finally have a place of my own.

“I’ve realized that everyone goes through tough times. I never take anything for granted anymore. I’m focusing on my recovery and working to rebuild the relationships with my family that I had lost due to addiction. I’m focused on being a better person tomorrow than I am today.”