Planting the Seeds
Rick Ono is a young man on a mission. In his Park School newsletter, he read about an opportunity to volunteer by working in the vegetable garden at the former Bowditch School, one of Pine Street Inn’s houses in Jamaica Plain. Even though he didn’t know much about gardening, he decided to sign up. At Bowditch, volunteers from Ripples of Hope, founders of the garden, work alongside residents to plant, tend and harvest fresh, healthy vegetables for tenants. “I found that I really liked making a difference in people’s lives, and it’s a great feeling to know that I’m helping provide access to healthy, fresh food,” says Rick. Jean Paul, case manager at Bowditch says, “Working in the garden gives the residents a sense of purpose and the knowledge of where their food comes from. And working alongside volunteers like Rick helps tenants feel part of the community.” Rick helped with the garden on Saturday mornings throughout the summer – setting the stage for what promises to be a lifelong commitment to service in his community.
Rick Ono tends the garden.
Award Winner! Congratulations to Ripples of Hope, first place winner in Mayor Walsh’s 2015 Garden Contest in the Storefront, Organization, or Main Street District Garden category.
Pine Street Innbassadors Raise $20,000 to Help End Homelessness
“NEBH is committed to being a good neighbor to the Mission Hill community, so it is only fitting that NEBH reached out to partner with the residents of Doe House,” says Christine Dwyer, NEBH’s Director of Public Relations and Community Relations.
Over 250 emerging leaders of Boston joined the Pine Street Innbassadors for the third annual Summer Inn the City event, raising $20,000 for Pine Street. Hosted by South End neighbors Ink Block and KP Strategies, the event featured delicious food and drinks from our generous partners, including tacos and oysters from Loco Tacqueria & Oyster Bar, and music from Opyn.Mynd. Pine Street’s President Lyndia Downie said: “I look out and see the next generation of leaders in the fight to end homelessness. We started it, but everyone here, you are going to finish it.” Corporate sponsors of Summer Inn the City include: Natixis Global Asset
(Part of the Community, continued from page 1)
More than 250 people attended the Innbassadors’ Summer Inn the City event.
Management, Atwater Wealth Management, Braemar Energy Ventures, Deloitte, dunnhumby and Putnam Investments. Our thanks to partners who provided food and drinks: 90+ Cellars, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, iCater, Loco Taqueria and Oyster Bar, RIPE Bar Juice, Samuel Adams, swissbakers, Taza Chocolate, WanderLush, and Whole Foods Market South End.
On the last Wednesday of each month, NEBH Chef Jose Camarena cooks up a feast and staff members volunteer to join the residents for dinner and games. A fun time is had by all! To learn more about volunteering in our housing locations, contact Scottie Wait, 617.892.9187 or scottie.wait@pinestreetinn.org. [5]