Winter 2014 - Pine Street Inn

Winter 2014
Innsider
News from Pine Street Inn
Home & Healing for
Veterans
In the two years since Pine
Street’s Veterans’ Transitional Housing
Program opened on Hartford Street in
Dorchester, 56 homeless veterans have
benefitted from its specialized services
to help them move on to permanent
housing and employment.
U.S. Army Veteran Allen K., a tenant
in Pine Street’s Veterans’ Transitional
Housing Program.
When Allen K. arrived at Hartford
Street in June 2013, he was still
recovering from a serious injury that
left him unable to work. Already living
paycheck-to-paycheck, when he could
not work, he also could not pay his
rent and lost his housing.
“The services I received through
Pine Street’s Veterans’ Services have
changed my entire outlook,” says
Allen, who served in the U.S. Army. “I
thought I was going to be in dire straits
for a long time, but now I have hope.”
(Continued on page 4)
Out in the Cold
Imagine trying to stay warm on a frigid winter night while
sleeping on a park bench with only a blanket to keep you warm. Illness,
frostbite, hypothermia — even death — can result.
As the days grow colder, Pine Street’s mission is clear — to meet the
basic needs of those who turn to us for help. Outreach staff search out
homeless men and women across the city and encourage them to come
into shelter.
In addition to covering basic needs, Outreach staff work with the
people they meet to help them begin the process of finding housing and
wholeness. Your support is an important part of this work. 
Rick Friedman
“I am depressed and tired, but there is nothing to do but keep going and
trying to be patient waiting for housing. It is cold, and I can’t do another
winter out here,” said a 59-year-old woman visited by Outreach staff.
From the
President
We especially thank our volunteers for the time, effort and
care they put into brightening the days of so many men and
women. And that goes not just for the holiday season, but for
the support we receive from close to 5,000 volunteers every day
of the year. We could not do our work without them!
“It is your generosity that
has enabled us to make significant
progress in our daily efforts to
end homelessness.”
Of course, I also want to extend my gratitude for our many
generous donors who sustain our work. It is your generosity
that has enabled us to make significant progress in our daily
efforts to end homelessness.
As we move into a new year — my 30th with Pine
Street Inn — I want to take a few moments to pause and reflect.
When I look back over the past year and toward this new one,
I feel both grateful and hopeful: grateful for the overwhelming
support we receive from a caring community, and hopeful that
we will continue to progress in our efforts to end homelessness.
As always, our volunteers and staff provided wonderful holiday
celebrations for those who would otherwise have spent the
holidays alone.
I am also most grateful for all Mayor Menino has done to help
the homeless men, women and children of Boston over the
past 20 years (see article below); and hopeful for the additional
progress we will make in partnership with Marty Walsh,
Boston’s new Mayor.
We are now deep into winter — the toughest time of year for
those who are homeless. We look forward to your continued
support; we could not do our work without you! 
Thank You, Mayor Menino!
leaves office after 20 years, we at Pine
Street wish him well. He has been a
great friend to Pine Street and to all
those who have faced the challenges of
homelessness.
Mayor Menino has had a deep
understanding of the issues faced by
homeless men and women in Boston,
and an unrelenting commitment to
improving their lives. He has been
front and center at Pine Street’s
numerous house openings over the
years, celebrating with us the end of
homelessness — one person at a time.
The policies put in place by the city over
the past 20 years have made it possible
to reduce individual homelessness in
Boston by 29%.
Pine Street now has more housing beds
than shelter beds — and Mayor Menino
has been a big part of “tipping the
balance.” 
John Rich
As Mayor Thomas M. Menino
Cutting the ribbon at the opening of
Pine Street’s Doe House with
members of the Doe Family.
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Pieces
Back Together
Putting the
The men and women who come to Pine Street Inn have seen their lives fall apart. Our job is to help people
put the pieces back together. Our staff works with each individual on a plan so that they can take the steps they need to
rebuild their lives.
Cecil came to the Men’s Inn at Pine Street in 2008. Through a combination of shelter, housing, community support and
hope, he has made tremendous strides in re-establishing a healthy and productive life.
HOPE
One of our most important jobs is to
renew and restore a sense of hope for the men
and women who turn to us for help.
Richard Howard
“There’s an attitude that you
get when you are homeless.
It’s hopelessness. You get the feeling that
you are going to be homeless until the
day you die, but it doesn’t have to be this
way. Pine Street’s shelter was a
steppingstone
to where
I am now.”
With four
shelters in
Boston, Pine
Street provides a
safe place to sleep, nutritious meals and case
management services to more than 700 men
and women each night.
“For two years, Pine Street kept me safe
and warm. And it gave me things that
you take for granted in life like a warm
shower and clean clothes.”
SHELTER
Pine Street’s housing offers more than
800 formerly homeless individuals the stability
and support needed to re-enter the mainstream
of life.
“I’ve been living in Pine Street
housing for two years. It’s the
right place for me right now. I’m
working closely with my case
manager Kamilia who keeps me
on track. The staff and community at
Pine Street encourage me to do positive
things and set goals.”
HOUSING
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Ending
Homelessness
The Campaign for Pine Street Inn Update
In December, Pine Street Inn
was thrilled to receive a leadership
commitment from the Klarman
Family Foundation to support Ending
Homelessness: The Campaign for Pine
Street Inn. A loyal and dedicated
donor to Pine Street, the Foundation
has long supported programs that
provide for basic needs and was an
early supporter of our movement
toward permanent supportive housing
for chronically homeless individuals.
This commitment adds enormous
momentum to the completion phase
of the Campaign as we move toward
closure in June 2014.
Thanks to the leadership of the
Klarman Family Foundation and many
other supporters, we are three-quarters
of the way toward our goal of 300 units
of new housing and have raised 85
percent of the funds needed to reach
and sustain this goal. The Campaign
will also make it possible to maintain
and preserve our existing shelters and
permanent housing locations as well as
to acquire a new house.
We are three-quarters
of the way toward our
goal of 300 units of
new housing.
This housing strategy is having
a significant impact on Boston’s
population of homeless individuals,
with the number of men and women on
the streets and in shelters down over the
last 10 years, and more than 90 percent
of individuals placed in housing still
there a year later.
Fundamentally, this shelter-tohousing shift is about improving
lives and ending homelessness. In the
spring, all Pine Street supporters will
receive more information about the
Campaign and an invitation to join
this transformative effort.
In the meantime, we remain grateful
to all of our Campaign donors to date,
and look toward a future with more
housing and support services for those
who need them most.
For more information about Ending
Homelessness: The Campaign for Pine
Street Inn, contact Alicia L. Ianiere,
[email protected],
617.892.9177 or visit
www.pinestreetinn.org/campaign. 
(Home & Healing for Veterans, continued from page 1)
Nearly one in four homeless adults is a military veteran,
and Pine Street is taking part in national, state and city
initiatives aimed at addressing this startling fact.
“We want to ensure that those who have served their
country receive the support they need and deserve,” says
Pine Street President Lyndia Downie.
Pine Street joined “Home of the Brave,” a city-led initiative,
working together with the MA Department of Veterans’
Services, that placed 118 homeless veterans into housing
over 100 days this fall. Twenty-three veterans were placed
by Pine Street, helping the successful initiative to surpass
its goal of helping 100 veterans find housing. We are also
collaborating with The Neighborhood Developers to offer
support services to 11 homeless veterans in a permanent
home under renovation in Chelsea, MA.
Pine Street’s Veterans’ Transitional Housing Program
opened on Hartford Street in Dorchester in 2011.
“I am so grateful for the help and support I have received
during this difficult time,” says Allen. “I am getting back
on my feet now, but Pine Street’s Hartford Street house will
always be a part of my life.” 
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Holiday Roundup
Rick Friedman
Rick Friedman
Turkeys, tinsel, carols and cookies — thanks to our wonderful volunteers and supporters, Pine Street’s guests and tenants
were treated to many happy holiday festivities.
Above: State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and
his grandchildren, Board Member Msgr. Francis H. Kelley, and Pine
Street President Lyndia Downie carve the Thanksgiving turkeys.
Top Right: Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and his sons serve Thanksgiving
meals at the Women’s Inn.
Bottom Right: Jason Burrell, David Brade, Chris Moore and Joshua
Burrell from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity joined more than 100
volunteers to wrap gifts for our shelter guests. 
More Ways
You Can Help
SAVE THE DATE
End Homelessness
Make your gift go even further.
See if your employer matches your donation:
www.pinestreetinn.org/mg
Become an Innkeeper by making a monthly gift
to Pine Street:
www.pinestreetinn.org/monthly
Remember Pine Street in your will and be recognized by
the Paul Sullivan Society:
www.pinestreetinn.org/pg
Help us feed 2,000 people each day.
Organize a food drive:
www.pinestreetinn.org/donatefood
For more information, please contact us at 617.892.9170
or [email protected]. 
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Westin Copley Place
Boston, MA
Join Us in Ending Homelessness.
Home Remedy raises critical funds to help
Pine Street Inn move people from the streets
and shelter to housing.
For information on Home Remedy corporate sponsorships
and ticket sales, please contact Gail C. Favreau at
617.892.9178 or [email protected].
WWW.PINESTREETINN.ORG/BREAKFAST
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Friends of the Inn
Warm Feet &
Warm Hearts
In November, 134 volunteers from the National Shoe Retailers
Association (NSRA) came to the Inn to hand out new shoes
and socks to our shelter guests. More than 300 men and
women received shoes and boots, generously donated by
Soles4Souls. This event
was held in conjunction
with a foot clinic offered by
members of the Foot and
Ankle Center at Brigham and
Women’s Faulkner Hospital.
The clinicians offered foot
care services and distributed
150 pairs of donated socks.
With winter upon us, sturdy
shoes and warm socks are
so important to the health of
our guests. Thanks to these
wonderful volunteers for
recognizing this vital need.
State Street Gives
Since 1986, State Street and the State Street Foundation have
been generous corporate partners. Back then, like many
of our corporate relationships, support came mostly in the
form of donations for brick and mortar needs like renovating
the Men’s Inn showers or expanding the kitchen to meet a
growing demand.
Today, State Street’s philanthropy is multi-tiered: employee
giving with corporate matching gifts, volunteerism, and
financial investments in Pine Street’s IMPACT Employment
Services and job
training programs,
which help men and
women reconnect to the
workforce.
To find out how we can
help your corporation
with a multi-faceted
partnership, contact
An NSRA volunteer fits a Michael Oliver, michael.
guest for new winter boots. [email protected]
or 617.892.9181.
Go Patriots!
Our thanks to New England Patriots players Matthew Slater
and Nate Solder, who served dinner in our Men’s Inn in
November and spent time chatting, posing for pictures and
boosting the spirits of our guests. They also presented Lyndia
Downie with a generous donation of coats that will help
our guests stay warm this winter. Their visit was part of the
New England Patriots’ “Celebrate Volunteerism” initiative
promoting the importance of community service.
State Street employees volunteer
during a Chop-a-Thon, helping to
prepare meals for shelter guests.
Innbassadors Holiday
Gift Drive
Pine Street’s Innbassadors, a group of emerging leaders,
made an impact this holiday season by raising funds for the
Innbassadors Holiday Gift Drive. Each $20 raised covered
the cost of one much-needed practical gift for guests to open
during the holiday season.
Using Pine Street’s new My Pine Street Fundraiser webpage, the
Innbassadors had raised more than $4,000 toward covering the
cost of gifts for our shelter guests as of our print deadline. More
than just a gift, this simple gesture is a reminder to those in
need that someone is thinking of them this holiday season.
Pine Street Inn
Matthew Slater and Nate Solder donate warm winter coats
to Pine Street President Lyndia Downie. (Photo courtesy
of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation)
Innsider
444 Harrison Avenue
Published three times a year by
the Development and External
Affairs Department
General Information: 617.892.9100
Boston, MA 02118
Donations: 617.892.9170
Volunteers: 617.892.9186
www.pinestreetinn.org
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