kitchen with all aspects of dinner preparation. In addition, Liberty Mutual is a leading ... from Boston shelters at reh
Spring/Summer 2018
Innsider News from Pine Street Inn
Celebrating Accomplishments People are often surprised
to learn that Pine Street holds a graduation each year. “A graduation at a homeless shelter?” they ask. Held under a big white tent, nearly 100 trainees in food services and housekeeping wear caps and gowns and march to “Pomp and Circumstance” – it looks like most graduations one might attend at this time of year – but there is a big difference. Some graduates are homeless, others have been recently housed – all have experienced significant life challenges. For many, this marks the first celebration of an achievement they have experienced in their lifetime.
You Are Invited
Job Training Graduation and Housing Celebration Thursday, June 14, 11:30 AM 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston
With Keynote Speaker
Reverend Liz Walker
Sponsored by Natixis Global Investment Managers, with over 250 staff, supporters, family members and friends looking on each year, graduates walk across the stage, shaking hands with Lyndia Downie, Pine Street’s President. “If someone is here at Pine Street, it’s a pretty good assumption that life has not been easy or gone smoothly,” said Downie. “We want our graduates to be self-sufficient, but the truth is, we all need help and support, and knowing when to ask for help should be part of what people take with them,” she added. Graduation represents a new beginning and possibilities for those who have faced major challenges in the past.
A Big Step Forward
Her 31-year television news career resulted in two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Reverend Walker has long been actively involved in many community organizations and projects.
Each year at graduation, one of our trainees steps forward to share his or her story. This year’s speaker is Ken L., who completed Pine Street’s housekeeping training program. Once homeless and grappling with mental health issues and substance abuse, Ken says, “I had some pretty dark days. I was in a deep depression for a long time and had turned to alcohol and drugs for comfort. When I came to Pine Street, the staff treated me with kindness and without judgment.
Reverend Walker is a minister, award-winning journalist and activist for community healing and cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue.
Trainees in Pine Street’s Housekeeping Training Program learn skills to transition back into the workforce.
(Continued on page 2)
RSVP by June 7 to
[email protected].
From the
President units than shelter beds. “Moving On” – this program helps people move out of our supportive housing and into their own apartment.
Over the past year, thanks to the City of Boston, we started a pilot program to try and catch people the day they become homeless. How great is it that you Now, if you are new to don’t need us anymore? the shelter, we have staff That is the best outcome available the day you walk we could ask for. in to try to connect you back to friends or family – 10 percent of this group does not end up in shelter at all. Working together with the City of Boston and other partners, we have seen progress in our efforts As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2019, we are to end homelessness. I want to share some perspective talking about what it would take to catch people before on how we are doing in Boston compared with other they even make it to our front door and prevent their similar-size cities. homelessness in the first place. In San Francisco, 55 percent of those who are homeless stay outside. In Seattle, it is over 40 percent. In Boston, it is under 3 percent. Yes, the weather has something to do with this, but this statistic isn’t by accident. All of the shelters in Boston are low barrier, and anyone can come in to stay for the night if that’s what they need to take the first step as they move out of homelessness. At Pine Street, we have spent the last decade expanding housing targeted to chronically homeless men and women. We have met our goal of having more housing
But if there is any theme for us this year, it is moving on. Moving on from the streets, from shelter and a new program that is actually called “Moving On” – this program helps people move out of our supportive housing and into their own apartment. How great is it that you don’t need us anymore? That is the best outcome we could ask for. Your support makes it possible to find new approaches to ending – and preventing – homelessness. We are so very grateful to you.
(A Big Step Forward, continued from page 1) Finally, I started to see some light at the end of the tunnel.” Ken enrolled in Pine Street’s housekeeping program, where the structure and feedback of the program helped give him a sense of meaning and purpose. Steve Forcillo, Facilities Manager and Director of the Housekeeping Training Program, says that Ken was motivated from the beginning, setting an example for the other trainees. “Ken had the drive to succeed from day one. He did everything we asked of him and more.” Ken is now clean and sober, employed at a new hotel in the South End, and is living in his own apartment. “I am sober today and enjoying my life again. I will be forever grateful to the staff, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.” We wish Ken continued success! [2]
HELP. HOPE. HOME. Moving On For those who have been homeless, moving into one of Pine Street’s housing locations in Boston and Brookline provides a level of stability necessary for men and women to begin to rebuild their lives. With support from staff, some tenants do remarkably well – participating in job training programs, finding jobs, volunteering, joining faith groups, reconnecting with their families – as they become part of a community again. Some do so well that they are able to move beyond Pine Street’s supported housing into totally independent living situations. A number of tenants have moved on in the past year, but they have all faced one big challenge: furnishing their new apartments. We are so grateful to Bob’s Discount Furniture, who has stepped in and provided the furniture for these tenants. Our tenants are especially thankful. Jessie Y., who recently moved into his own place, says “I can’t believe I have this new apartment and this new furniture! I am sooo happy and grateful.”
Here are Jessie, Lizette and Leoncia enjoying their new homes and new furniture:
JESSIE Y.
LEONCIA V.
LIZETTE M. [3]
Turning a House into a Home Our housing tenants tell us all the time that one of the best days of their lives is when they move from the streets or shelter into a home.
But when they move in, tenants generally only have a few personal items – not even the basics to set up their new places. They need items ranging from sheets and towels to toilet paper and toothpaste. That’s where our “Welcome Home” basket program comes in. Companies, families, community and faith groups can help provide a fresh start by supplying the basics of life.
Life Science Cares put together 50 Welcome Home baskets.
Life Science Cares partner agencies is a group that has generously donated 50 “Welcome Home” baskets to Pine Street tenants moving into homes. These baskets go a long way toward creating a warm and comfortable living space for our tenants, and putting them together can be a great team-building experience! If you or your company are interested in holding a Welcome Home basket drive, contact Maura Crowley,
[email protected] or 617.892.9176.
Providing Nutritious Meals Pine Street prepares 17,000 meals each week,
We appreciate the support of our partners who sponsor nutritious meals at Pine Street.
52 weeks a year.
We depend on the support and generosity of our partners in the community to provide nutritious meals to the men and women in our shelters. Groups that partner with us for weekly meal sponsorships not only ensure vital nutrition for our guests, but also provide an opportunity to engage with the community through service opportunities, and receive recognition with banners, signage and social media promotion.
International Corporation, who have stepped up their service and support of our guests. This year, they have committed to sponsoring four weeks of meals— covering the total costs of meals for all our shelter guests. We are very appreciative of their commitment! Our team will work with you to ensure maximum visibility for your sponsorship. To learn how your company or group can sponsor a meal, go to: www.pinestreetinn.org/mealsponsor.
A great example of this partnership is Microfluidics [4]
An Inspiring Morning! Our 2018 Home Remedy breakfast was filled with inspiration. We are grateful to our sponsors and the 600 attendees who so generously supported the event and our work – and especially to keynote speaker Ted English and Pine Street friend Jean Tempel, who challenged attendees with a $100,000 match at the breakfast. (L to R): Callie Crossley, WGBH/FM; Lyndia Downie, President & Executive Director; Mayor Martin J. Walsh; tenants Jeanne and Barbara; Ted English, Bob’s Discount Furniture
Not only was that goal reached, $175,000 was raised from attendees in the room! Ted and Jean’s generosity brought the total raised from the breakfast to over $840,000.
Now, more homeless men and women will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives, moving from the streets and shelter to permanent homes. Once housed, they will receive caring support from case managers connecting them to community resources like job training and healthcare. Callie Crossley, host of Under the Radar with Callie Crossley on WGBH-FM, joined us for a special welcome and the audience heard moving remarks from Barbara and Jeanne, two women who had faced catastrophic health challenges, losing their jobs and then their homes. With the support of Pine Street, they recently moved in to a place of their own where they are thriving. Thanks to all who supported and attended this special event, especially our presenting sponsors, Bain Capital and Natixis Global Investment Managers.
Summer Inn the City:
A Night of Fun and Fundraising! Thursday, July 12 | 6 - 9 pm HarborPark at John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse Please join Pine Street’s Innbassadors for a night of food and fun on Boston Harbor…and help end homelessness. The Innbassadors, along with presenting sponsors Atwater Wealth Management and Natixis Investment Managers, will proudly host their annual fundraising event, “Summer Inn the City (SITC),” at the HarborPark of the Moakley Courthouse. SITC is expected to attract over 400 emerging leaders from Greater Boston and raise critical funds. Join us there and be part of this fundraising event! To purchase tickets, donate a raffle item or become a corporate sponsor, contact Melissa Allen,
[email protected] or 617.892.9183. [5]
Community Friends #ServeWithLiberty Once again, we were honored to partner with Liberty Mutual team members for their annual Serve with Liberty event this spring. During their two weeks of service, 110 volunteers provided over 400 hours of time assisting in our kitchen with all aspects of dinner preparation. In addition, Liberty Mutual is a leading donor to the Boston’s Way Home Fund, a partnership with the City of Boston and Pine Street, raising funds toward 200 units of housing. We are so grateful for the ongoing support from Liberty Mutual!
Mass Service Alliance Supports Pine Street Recently, Pine Street teamed up with the Massachusetts Service Alliance for their annual Volunteerism Day at the State House. More than 80 volunteers helped assemble over 500 utensil kits for Pine Street meals. We are very appreciative of their Volunteers put together utensil kits on ongoing support. Volunteerism Day.
Liberty Mutual is a longtime supporter of Pine Street’s emergency services and housing program.
Making Beautiful Music The Eureka Ensemble, an orchestra using music as a platform for social action and community engagement, partnered with guests from the Women’s Inn for a special event this spring. The “Sheltering Voices” concert brought together four Pine Street guests along with 20 women from other organizations, using song to empower the women.
Important Support Recently, Pine Street’s representative at the State House, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, brought House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jeffrey Sanchez for a tour and discussion of strategies to end homelessness. Chairman Sanchez responded with new statewide funding to provide shelters the necessary tools. We are enormously grateful to Rep. Michlewitz and Chairman Sanchez for supporting our efforts to end homelessness. Rep. Michlewitz and House Ways and Means Chair Sanchez take a tour with Lyndia Downie.
Innsider Published three times a year by the Development and External Affairs Department Women from Boston shelters at rehearsal.
Pine Street Inn 444 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02118 General Information: 617.892.9100 Donations: 617.892.9170 Volunteers: 617.892.9186 www.pinestreetinn.org
[6]
