Osborne — Inspired by Faith and Family

When Osborne reflects on his journey, three things stand out: family, faith and support from Pine Street Inn.

Osborne was raised in a religious household in Boston with his grandmother, four brothers and extended family. “Faith has been a big part of my life,” Osborne shares. “It keeps me going during tough times.”

His faith was tested when he was 17 years old, after a car crash caused a traumatic brain injury. “The doctors declared me dead,” he recalls. “But God said I had more to do.”

Osborne spent two years out of school to recover from the accident. “Recovery was difficult,” he says. “The injury impacted the portion of my brain that regulates emotions. That has been a challenge for me ever since.”

After leaving the hospital, Osborne tried to move forward. “I started working instead of finishing school,” he says. “I was able to find decent jobs, but the ongoing impact of my injury made it difficult to keep them.”

Wanting to start over, Osborne moved to Georgia, where his mother lived. “I met someone and got married, hoping to build a new life, but I still hadn’t learned to regulate my emotions. I started using substances to quiet my mind because I didn’t know how else to cope.”

This led to the breakup of Osborne’s marriage. Unable to afford his own place, Osborne became homeless, cycling between the streets, rehab facilities and friends’ homes for the next six years.

A turning point came when his daughter in Boston needed help. “I came back to support her,” Osborne says. “But I needed a place to stay.” That’s when he turned to Pine Street.

“I stayed at the Men’s Inn for four months,” Osborne shares. “The staff helped me find a recovery program and a home in their new residence in Jamaica Plain. I love the community here, and there’s a grocery store, gym and public transportation nearby.”

Today, Osborne enjoys spending time with his children and is planning for the future. “I hope to own land and possibly return to school to study math and science,” he shares.

“Pine Street has given me hope,” smiles Osborne.