Ngoc L. — A Tough Journey With a Great Ending

Ngoc L., 65, fled his native Vietnam in the mid-1970s as the war was ending. He came to the United States looking for a better life.

In the U.S., Ngoc attended high school and found a job. “The idea was to get an education and a good job so I could help my family back in Vietnam,” says Ngoc. However, he suffered a life-changing injury that would make it difficult for him to work or finish school as he had dreamed.

Ngoc eventually met a woman with whom he had a son. The relationship did not last, and he moved out of their apartment but could not afford a place of his own. Ngoc then came to Pine Street’s Men’s Inn. With the support of his case manager, Ngoc found an apartment in one of Pine Street’s Dorchester residences.

Now, almost 10 years later, Ngoc likes to cook and often prepares meals for his son. “My son is a straight-A student in his second year of college,” Ngoc says. “He’s a great person — the kindest kid you’ll ever meet.”

Ngoc appreciates the sense of community Pine Street creates. On Monday mornings, a case manager puts out donuts, bagels, and coffee in the community room. On Friday evenings, the space transforms into an activities room where tenants play ping-pong and card games. “I am so lucky to have a place like this to live,” he says.

“I love to tell people what we do here,” she says. “Everyone on my team is caring and great to work with. The whole team has the same goal — to help as many people as possible and to make sure they’re successful.”