Stella — Composing a New Life

When life becomes overwhelming, Stella turns to the one constant she can rely on: music. “Singing helps me feel like myself again,” she says.

Just as music restores her spirit, a move to Massachusetts restored Stella’s sense of purpose. She dedicated herself to caring for others, training as a certified nursing assistant and working in a nursing home. “I loved helping people. It felt good to be useful and to have meaningful work providing comfort to others,” she shares.

As she was gaining stability, her health started to decline in ways she could not explain. “I was sick, but the doctors couldn’t tell me why,” says Stella. The symptoms — weakness, trouble with her hands and eyesight — forced her to leave the work she loved.

She tried working at a warehouse doing inventory, but her condition worsened. “I went to the hospital hoping for a solution, but my symptoms persisted,” Stella recalls. “I eventually lost my job, my housing and the stability I worked hard to build.”

With nowhere to go, Stella turned to Pine Street Inn. “I stayed at Yawkey House shelter for two years, focusing on my health and working with my case manager to find housing,” she shares.

Everything changed when she was approved for an apartment at a Pine Street residence in Dorchester. “Getting housing was a dream come true,” she smiles. “When I moved in, I just thanked God. I was so excited.”

Now, Stella fills her days with healing and music. “I enjoy reworking the songs I grew up singing with my family,” she says. “I add lyrics of my own and record them on my phone. It brings me a lot of joy.”

Stella dreams of regaining strength and one day working again. “I would like to give back through service,” she shares. “Just like how Pine Street is helping me.”