Winter 2018: The Innsider

Winter 2019

Innsider

Outreach: Lifeline

News from Pine Street Inn

in the Cold

Jason Clemons has been a

member of Pine Street’s Outreach team for 11 years, working with homeless men and women who choose not to come into shelter.

Since our Outreach vans started canvassing Boston’s streets in 1986, they have not missed a night!

Jason checks on a couple near Copley Square.

Even New England’s tough winter weather does not stop Jason and his team – on the contrary, they dedicate even more time and resources during the coldest months. Hypothermia and frostbite are just a few concerns that Jason has for the men and women staying on the streets during winter.

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Marking

50 Years

in the Community!

2019 marks a milestone

for Pine Street: we are turning 50!

Although we are not really “celebrating” – you don’t celebrate homelessness –­­ we are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and the impact it has allowed us to have on solving homelessness.

Over the course of the year, we will reflect on where we started and where we are going, and share memories from the past five decades.

Please check our new website, www.pinestreetinn.org, and follow us on social media for news and updates throughout our 50th year!

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A Voice from the Early Days: Warren Strom As part of our 50th anniversary, we will share stories from those who were here early on, such as Warren Strom, who is now 89 years old.

I was born in Waltham, and moved to Boston in 1943 when I

turned 14 years old. I joined the Army and served in the Korean War. When I returned from the war, I was homeless for many years. I suffered from alcoholism and finally ended up in a halfway house. It was there that I heard about Pine Street Inn, and what they were doing for guys like me. At that time, Pine Street was the only shelter in town.

I started to volunteer a couple nights a week at Pine Street, spending time talking to the guys. One day, Paul Sullivan (a founder and first Director of Pine Street) asked me if I wanted a job. I started taking care of the guys and keeping order in the shelter.

There were 200 beds but there were so many more guys sleeping in the lobby.

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Warren Strom stands next to one of Pine Street’s vans in the 1970s.

From the

President

In 2019, we are marking a major milestone:

will help stop homelessness before it begins. More than ever, we are collaborating with the City of Boston and likeminded organizations to create a truly cohesive approach to ending homelessness.

50 years in the Boston community. As I reflect on the 35 years that I have been here – in roles as an administrative assistant, in development, in the program area, and now, as President – I am both humbled by and proud of the progress that we have made as an organization.

Over the past 50 years, our programs have continued to evolve to meet the needs of our community. We started out in 1969 as an emergency shelter for 200 men suffering from alcoholism, led by the inspirational Paul Sullivan.

Today, we operate four emergency shelters and 41 houses – collectively supporting close to 2,000 men and women every day.

However, while tremendous progress has been made in solving homelessness for men and women, there is still much to be done. We will continue to advocate for the most vulnerable men and women in our community, working to end homelessness – and better yet, to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Since its inauguration in 1986, as a result of someone dying on the street in the frigid cold, our Outreach van has not missed a night in supporting those staying on the streets.

Today, we have implemented programs and resources that

Warmly,

(Outreach: A Lifeline in the Cold, continued from page 1)

“Some individuals are facing such severe mental health issues that they are unable to make a rational decision when it comes to weather,” Jason says. “When we go into our cold weather protocol, we do everything possible to persuade them to come in for the night.”

Jason recalls one guest who refused to come into shelter for years. The team continued to build rapport with the man, until one night, when the weather was dangerously severe, he finally agreed to come inside.

After that, he asked to hear more about housing opportunities. Within two months, he was housed.

“The motto of the Outreach team is: ‘Never, never, never give up!’ – and we never will.” 

“Today, we have implemented programs and resources that will help stop homelessness before it begins.”

I am so very grateful to our community of supporters who make our work a reality. YOU are the reason we can make an impact on so many lives, and I cannot thank you enough. From everyone here at Pine Street – from 1969 to today – thank you! I think Paul Sullivan would be proud.

(A Voice from the Early Days: Warren Strom, continued from page 1)

It was the only way to keep them alive. It was a crime to sleep on the street at that time, so you’d get arrested.

We didn’t have a big staff at Pine Street, but the people were really dedicated. Paul Sullivan would come in at nine in the morning and stay until midnight. He’d go to the Boston City Hospital and make sure the guests got taken care of. He truly, truly cared about the guests.

I remember we had a really small kitchen, so during Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’d load up the trucks with turkeys. We passed them around to volunteers in the community who would cook them, and I’d bring them back for the guys. Talk about a community effort!

After 30 years at Pine Street, I finally retired at age 75. Now I’m 89 and live in Pine Street’s housing. There have been lots of changes since I left, but I think they are all for the best. Lyndia Downie is great – she’s really getting stuff done.

If you have a Pine Street memory you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at anniversary@pinestreetinn.org.

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Why I Run for Pine Street DAVID KRAKAUER

Why did you choose to run the Boston Marathon for Pine Street?

I learned about Pine Street through my older brother and his wife, who have volunteered with the organization over the years. I had already run two marathons at that point, and was looking for an organization whose mission I could truly support.

Once I heard about Pine Street, I was excited and motivated to run and raise money for them. I really admire the way Pine Street approaches homelessness and its causes.

I am very fortunate to have my family, an education and a job – this is just one way to give back.

David Krakauer endured the elements during last year’s Boston Marathon.

Since getting involved with Pine Street, it’s really become a family affair. My two older sons did their Bar Mitzvah projects in Pine Street’s kitchen, and my third is about to start his there as well. In the kitchen, we worked alongside the trainees and kitchen staff. It really struck me how dedicated and professional everyone was. There is a lot of pride in their work.

JILL KER CONWAY

As an annual fund donor, Conway went above and beyond in her support of Pine Street through planned giving efforts.

She made a meaningful gift through her retirement and estate planning. We are grateful for her generosity, which will

What’s your goal for your marathon fundraising?

The set goal is $10,000 – but my personal goal is $20,000. I reach out to my family, friends from different walks of life, as well as my professional network. They have all been very helpful in my fundraising efforts – but even more than that, I am so grateful when they come out to cheer on the runners. It’s so motivating to hear my name and Pine Street’s name cheered on among the crowd!

To learn more about our runners and how you can support them, visit www.pinestreetinn.org/marathon.

Locks & Socks

Donor Spotlight: Jill Ker Conway was a writer, a scholar, president of Smith College in Northampton, MA – and a philanthropist.

An Australian native, Conway left her mark on the Boston community, including Pine Street, not only as a loyal donor during her lifetime, but also in helping to sustain Pine Street after her death last year.

Why is it important to you that you run for a charity?

This is my fifth marathon. For me, it’s never been just about the running – it’s been about supporting a charity (though it was also a good feeling when I beat my brother!). Most of the charity runners aren’t running for time – they’re running for the missions. It’s very personal.

At our shelters, guests are assigned lockers to store their belongings at night, a place where they know their personal belongings will be safe.

The inspirational Jill Ker Conway.

secure the continuation of our work for years to come.

Planned giving helps ensure a consistent, long-term source of funding. Please consider including Pine Street in your planning for the future.

To learn more about our planned giving program, contact Alicia Ianiere at alicia.ianiere@pinestreetinn.org or 617.892.9177.

When men and women staying on the street see our Outreach vans, they know they can count on us for a pair of new socks to keep their feet warm. As the cold weather sets in, our guests are in especially high need of socks to navigate the winter.

We always accept donations of new key locks and socks!

If you would like to host a drive among friends or coworkers, or want to coordinate a drop-off of these items, contact the volunteer department at volunteer@pinestreetinn.org or 617.892.9184.

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Ready for Winter When winter arrives, the teams at

Pine Street are ready. Our program staff anticipate the increase in volume and needs of guests.

In our shelters, we set up additional cots and mats to accommodate all guests. When the temperature drops below freezing, we open the shelter for the entire day and night so men and women can escape the cold outside. We increase the number of staff and shifts to ensure we are equipped to support the influx of guests.

Pine Street works closely with Boston’s other shelters to coordinate available beds and transportation. We also communicate regularly with public safety officials to ensure that everyone stays safe.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are always ready to support those who need our help, no matter the elements!

Please be our partner in caring for homeless men and women. If you see someone on the street who is in distress, please call 911.

Getting ready to load up the Outreach vans on a cold, winter night.

Outreach teams canvass the city, urging people to come inside.

Giving Thanks at Pine Street John Rich

A host of elected officials joined us for Thanksgiving to help carve turkeys and meet with guests, staff and volunteers.

Carving Thanksgiving turkeys at Pine Street (left to right): State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, and President Lyndia Downie.

We are especially grateful for Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s dedication to ending chronic homelessness in the City of Boston, and for creating the Boston’s Way Home Fund to support those efforts. The fund will raise $10 million to help create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable housing for homeless men and women.

For more information, visit www.bostonswayhomefund.org.

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SAVE THE DATE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Thursday, May 2, 2019 • Westin Copley Place A home is the remedy for homelessness.

Pine Street’s Home Remedy breakfast raises critical funds that help people move off the streets, out of shelter and into a home so they can begin to rebuild their lives.

Ted English, Executive Chairman of Bob’s Discount Furniture, spoke at last year’s event.

Please join us and over 600 of Boston’s business leaders for a special Home Remedy breakfast as part of our 50th anniversary year!

For information on sponsorships and tickets, contact events@pinestreetinn.org or call 617.892.9170. 

Winter Walk

Making the Holidays Bright The holiday season can be challenging for our guests – not only because they are homeless and battling the cold weather, but also because they are missing their loved ones at a time of traditional family gatherings.

Pine Street staff and supporters take part in the Winter Walk.

Pine Street Inn is a proud partner of the Winter Walk, an initiative that raises awareness and funds for partner organizations through a two-mile walk and community meal in Copley Square.

That is why we work to make holidays meaningful at Pine Street. Every year, the generosity and outpouring of support from our donors is aweinspiring! Thank you for all that you do to help our guests, tenants and staff feel special during the holidays (and all year round)! 

Pine Street welcomed Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara on Thanksgiving as he dropped off pies for our guests.

The third annual Winter Walk will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Participants, housed and unhoused, will walk shoulder to shoulder through the cold winter temperature, share a meal together and hear real stories of Boston’s homeless population.

To find out more or to register as an individual or as a team, visit www.winterwalkboston.org. When asked how you heard about the walk during registration, please select Pine Street Inn! 

Guests in our shelters gather together to celebrate the holidays.

Our holiday celebrations would not be possible without the tireless work of our volunteers!

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Community Friends

Vertex Serves

As part of their 10th Annual Day of Service, a team from Vertex Pharmaceuticals volunteered in our kitchen for a morning of food preparation alongside our trainees. We are incredibly grateful to Vertex for their time and efforts and for a recent generous grant commitment to Pine Street Inn and the Boston’s Way Home Fund to help create 200 new units of affordable housing for chronically homeless adults.

Vertex staff get ready for meal prep in our kitchen.

HomeGoods Shows Its Support

Women’s Inn Welcomes Zumba The InnCouncil hosted the first-ever Zumba class for our Women’s Inn guests. Over 40 women joined a professional instructor for the class, held on a Sunday at the Zumba instructor Tara Paul shelter. We are grateful (second from left) led guests to members of the and staff in a class.

InnCouncil who not only fundraise and volunteer for Pine Street, but also work to bring health-conscious and fun activities to our guests.

Making a Big Impact The teams from Columbia Threadneedle Investments & Ameriprise Financial joined us for their fifth annual Chop-A-Thon. Together, the group chopped 1,300 lbs. of vegetables in one afternoon! We are so thankful for their time and efforts, which contributed to 5,200 meals as part of our food program. We are also tremendously grateful to Ameriprise for a recent generous grant toward our work.

As part of its store opening in Downtown Crossing, HomeGoods presented a $10,000 check to Pine Street Inn. We are honored to have been selected as the local recipient for this donation, which will be used to support men and women in rebuilding their lives.

The dedicated volunteers from Columbia Threadneedle Investments & Ameriprise Financial made a big impact in our kitchen!

Innsider

HomeGoods presents a check to Pine Street at a store opening.

Published three times a year by the Development and External Affairs Department

Pine Street Inn 444 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02118 General Information: 617.892.9100 Donations: 617.892.9170 Volunteers: 617.892.9184 www.pinestreetinn.org

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