Michael — “Keep Climbing”

Michael faced significant challenges in his early life due to his parents’ substance use and mental health issues. When he was 5 years old, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) intervened and placed him into the foster care system. Ultimately, he was adopted into a stable and supportive home.

Michael, who has a learning disability and suffers from anxiety caused by the trauma he experienced as a child, did well in high school despite those issues. He attended a community college, earning a certification in early childhood development. Unfortunately, Michael developed issues with alcoholism during college, which led to his homelessness.

“I was couch surfing and living on the streets for 520 days before I found a place to live,” Michael says. “I first connected with Pine Street Inn through their outreach team when I met Matt, a Pine Street caseworker. He worked with me to turn things around. I wouldn’t be here today without him.”

Matt connected Michael with resources for his recovery. He also helped him fill out applications for housing and sign a lease at Pine Street’s newest residence in Jamaica Plain — moving straight from the street into a home.

“Now that I have a place to live, I’m focused on my recovery,” Michael says. “I’ve made friends in the building, gotten involved with a local church, begun volunteering at a food justice program, and earlier this month, I was hired by the City of Boston as a crossing guard supervisor. My long-term goal is to return to college to complete my bachelor’s degree.

“Being homeless is like climbing Mount Everest. You know you have to keep moving forward, but each step becomes more difficult. You have to stay positive, ask for help and keep climbing. Pine Street is here for you.”