Breaking the Cycle

Pine Street Inn’s outreach team believes in meeting people where they are — literally and figuratively — to support them in moving from the streets to housing. Each year, Pine Street’s outreach teams place over 100 people directly from the street into a home.

The team works to build relationships with people, often over the course of several months, or even years. They engage and encourage them to take the next steps in rebuilding their lives and regaining a sense of community.

JAMES Never Giving Up

Much of James’ childhood was spent dealing with the death of his father, his mother’s alcoholism and bouncing around between various family members. “I learned from an early age that I had to take care of myself,” says James.

James worked doing construction, landscaping and automotive detailing, but still found Boston rents were more than he could afford.

“I’ve been homeless on and off for several years,” he says. “I’ve stayed with friends and in hotels, but that becomes a burden for people and hotels are too expensive.” As a result, James wound up on the street.

When the outreach team first started working with James, he was hesitant. The team worked to build rapport and remained persistent.

Outreach

Eventually, his hesitancy faded and the outreach team helped James move from the street directly into supportive housing. Now James is getting back on his feet. “I’m looking for work, and I hope that in the next couple of years, I’ll be able to afford a larger apartment. I’d like to have my eightyear-old son come to stay with me.”

“The outreach team helped me find this apartment in one of Pine Street’s residences,” James says, “I’m really grateful. It’s in a safe neighborhood, and we have a great community.”

People visited yearly by the outreach team

2,400+

Individuals housed directly from the street

100+ Steps walked by the outreach team

8 MM+